Cottrell, Gilbert Valentine
Personal Information
Rank | F/S |
Forename(s) | Gilbert Valentine |
Surname | Cottrell |
Gender | M |
Age | 23 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 15-06-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of Samuel James Cottrell and Eliza Anne Cottrell. Husband of Marjorie Ellen Cottrell, of West Cross, Glamorgan. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster III |
Serial Number | ND714 |
Markings | 6O-T |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Belgium |
Burial/Memorial Place | Coxyde Military Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Coll. grave V. H. 2-5. |
Epitaph | DEEP IN OUR HEARTS A MEMORY IS KEPT OF ONE WE ALL LOVED WE WILL NEVER FORGET |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 149 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 1350378 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 8 |
Squadron | 582 |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | Adjacent to former Airfield Site, Little Staughton, Bedfordshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone Memorial |
Memorial Text | A memorial to RAF Little Staughton, including 109 Sqn |
Location | All Saints Church, Little Staughton, Bedfordshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone Tablet & Sqn Badge |
Memorial Text | In memory of 109 and 582 Sqns. At R.A.F. Little Staughton |
Miscellaneous Information
Although listed in the ORB as NE172, in fact this aircraft was declared in the Form 78 as Cat AC (repairable off site) on 8 June 1944 and was struck off charge on 3 July, presumably after further analysis. The aircrfat was therefore not available on the night in question. ND714, however, was declared 'Cat E (missing) on 15 June and struck off charge on 26 June, so this would appear to be the correct aircraft |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/2052/6 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/2052/5 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 14-06-1944 |
End Date | 15-06-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Little Staughton |
Day/Night Raid | Night (35% moon) |
Operation | Douai- to attack railway facilities. Part of a 330 aircraft force to attack a number of railway installations in the general area around Normandy. All the targets were either cloud or haze covered and bombing was not especially concentrated as a result. Four aircraft Lost, including the Douai Master Bomber. |
Reason for Loss | Shot down by a night-fighter flown by Oblt. Werner Hopf of 8./NJG5 (his 8th claim), crashing SW of Adinkerke, Belgium. |