Copplestone, Alan Frank
Personal Information
Rank | Sgt |
Forename(s) | Alan Frank |
Surname | Copplestone |
Gender | M |
Age | 20 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 17-12-1942 |
Next of Kin | Son of Alfred John Copplestone, and of Bertha Hilda Copplestone, of Bayswater, London. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Short Stirling I |
Serial Number | BF403 |
Markings | HA-R |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Runnymede Memorial |
Grave Reference | Panel 80. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 148 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 1586180 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 3 |
Squadron | 218 (Gold Coast) |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | St. Mary's Church, Bexwell, Norfolk |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone Tablet |
Memorial Text | In memory of the squadrons based at R.A.F. Downham Market and those who have their lives during the 1939 - 1945 war |
Location | All Saints Church, Chedburgh, Suffolk |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | RoH and Sqn Crest |
Memorial Text | Roll of Honour and scroll remembering the members of the Royal and Polish Air Forces who served at RAF Chedburgh 1942 - 1946 |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1350/24 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1350/23 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 17-12-1942 |
End Date | 18-12-1942 |
Takeoff Station | Downham Market |
Day/Night Raid | Night (81% moon) |
Operation | Fallersleben (Opel works). 22 aircraft, 8 losses (36.4%). A costly failure since on three aircraft bombed the target due to cloud cover |
Reason for Loss | Hit by marine flak and crashed into the sea between Den Helder and Texel |