Heslop, Alexander Oliver
Personal Information
Rank | Sgt |
Forename(s) | Alexander Oliver |
Surname | Heslop |
Gender | M |
Age | 23 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 05-09-1939 |
Next of Kin | Son of Isaac and Clara Heslop, of Wolsingham, Co. Durham. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Anson I |
Serial Number | K6183 |
Markings | VX-B |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Runnymede Memorial |
Grave Reference | Panel 2. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 181 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 566050 |
Service | Royal Air Force |
Group | 3 |
Squadron | 206 |
Trade | Observer |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Miscellaneous Information
No. 206 Squadron was a Coastal Comnand unit but Sgt. Heslop has been included in the Bomber Command roll of honour since he was on loan from No. 9 Squadron. |
The first dogfighting casualty of WW2 |
An Avro Anson in New Zealand has been painted in the colours of K6183 VX-B as a tribute to it being the first dog-fighting loss of WW2. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 05-09-1939 |
End Date | 05-09-1939 |
Takeoff Station | Bircham Newton |
Day/Night Raid | Day |
Operation | Patrol over the Frisians |
Reason for Loss | Shot down by return fire from a He 115 off the Friesian Islands and crashed into the sea. The same aircraft as shot them down also picked up the only survivor, the pilot P/O 31687 L.H. Edwards RAF, who became the very first PoW of WW2. (PoW number 16). There were two other fatalities but none were on the strength of Bomber Command. |