Stephens, John Douglas
Personal Information
Rank | W/C |
Forename(s) | John Douglas |
Surname | Stephens |
Gender | M |
Age | 25 |
Decorations | DFC, IGSM |
Date of Death | 30-08-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of Arthur Abraham, and Mary Annie Stephens, of Tuckingmill, Cornwall. His Brother Sqdn. Ldr. Harry Bernard Stephens, D.F.C., Also Died On Service. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Boulton Paul Defiant I |
Serial Number | N1634 |
Markings |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Firiern Barnet (St. James the Great) Churchyard |
Grave Reference | |
Epitaph | HIS BROTHER SQDN. LDR. H.B. STEPHENS, DFC. WAS KILLED 6.5. 1944 AGE 32 BURIED IN HOLLAND. R.I.P. |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 247 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 39135 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 3 |
Squadron | 1483 Flt |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | Church of St. John, Beck Row, Suffolk |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Slate Tablet on rear external wall of Church |
Memorial Text | In remembrance of all who served at RAF Mildenhall and associated aerodromes in the cause of freedom, 1939-1945 |
Miscellaneous Information
Completed his first tour with 149 Sqn. His brother was also killed flying with Bomber Command (S/L H B Stephens DFC) |
On the strength of 15 Sqn, according to CWGC records and indeed his death is mention in the 15 Squadron Summary of Events (AIR 27/203/63) a having been killed in a flying accident. It does not make mention of Cole, killed in the same incident even though CWGC also list him as being with 15 Sqn. |
His IGSM was awarded while flying Westland Wapiti aircraft with 31 Squadron, 1937-1939 |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 30-08-1943 |
End Date | 30-08-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Mildenhall |
Day/Night Raid | Day |
Operation | Training- local flying exercise |
Reason for Loss | Stalled and crashed near the airfield. An investigation showed that there was a serious engine coolant leak and that the pilot had been overcome by the fumes |