Cole, John Denis
Personal Information
Rank | F/L |
Forename(s) | John Denis |
Surname | Cole |
Gender | M |
Age | 27 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 03-04-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of Thomas Robert and Florence Cole (née Milross), of Alexandria, Egypt. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax II |
Serial Number | DT635 |
Markings | NP-F |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Germany |
Burial/Memorial Place | Rheinberg War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | 9. B. 8. |
Epitaph | FONDLY AND PROUDLY REMEMBERED BY HIS PARENTS, BROTHER AND SISTERS |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 146 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 118067 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 4 |
Squadron | 158 |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | St. James of Compostola Church, Lissett, East Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Memorial Stone & Inscribed Metal Plaque |
Memorial Text | Memorial to 158 Sqn, RAF Lissett 28th February 1943 - 17th August 1946 |
Location | St. James of Compostola Church, Lissett, East Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stained Glass Window & Inscribed Metal Plaques |
Memorial Text | A stained glass window in memory of 158 Sqn RAF |
Miscellaneous Information
His father became a bank manager in Egypt in 1927 but it would appear that John stayed in UK where he attended boarding school. His parents were still residing in Egypt when he was killed. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1048/31 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1048/30 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 03-04-1943 |
End Date | 04-04-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Lissett |
Day/Night Raid | Night (1% moon) |
Operation | Essen. 348 aircraft, 21 losses (6.0%). The weather was uncertain so PFF had a plan to mark either using sky or ground markers. In the event the conditions were clear but both kinds of marking were used, causing confusion amongst the main force. Nevertheless, bombing was accurate, making this the most successful attack on Essen so far. |
Reason for Loss | Crashed near Monchengladbach |