Whitwell, Peter Coulson
Personal Information
Rank | F/O |
Forename(s) | Peter Coulson |
Surname | Whitwell |
Gender | M |
Age | 22 |
Decorations | DFM |
Date of Death | 07-11-1942 |
Next of Kin | Son of The Revd. Samuel Mapleton Whitwell and Gwendoline Whitwell, of Ashley Green, Buckinghamshire. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Short Stirling I |
Serial Number | W7620 |
Markings | MG-L |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Runnymede Memorial |
Grave Reference | Panel 114. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 264 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 40613 |
Service | Royal New Zealand Air Force |
Group | 8 |
Squadron | 7 |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | New Zealand |
Other Memorials
Location | Hilton House Hotel, Hilton, Derbyshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Blue Plaque on external wall |
Memorial Text | Air Commodore Herbert Martin Massey CBE DSO MC 1898-1976 Senior British Officer at Stalag Luft III Sagan who authorised 'The Great Escape' was born here. Hilton and Marston History Group |
Location | All Saints Church, Longstanton, Cambridgeshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stained Glass Window and Roll of Honour Book |
Memorial Text | Remember here before God those of 7 Squadron who died in action in The Royal Flying Corps 1914-18 and The Royal Air Force 1939-45 |
Miscellaneous Information
Citation from London Gazette, 19 December 1941. "N.Z.406i3 Sergeant Peter Coulson WHITWELL, Royal New Zealand Air .Force, . No. 7 Squadron. This airman was the rear gunner of an aircraft which carried out a daylight attack on shipping off Borkum. During the operation the aircraft was-attacked-by a force of 8 Messerschmitt 1093. Displaying great coolness and accuracy of fire, Sergeant Whitwell warded off the first 4 attacks and, in the next one, seriously damaged one of the attackers which was observed to dive steeply away with the engine emitting black smoke. Three further attacks were made by the enemy aircraft and, in the last, one, Sergeant Whitwell scored a further success. Following a well-raimed burst by him, one of the enemy aircraft turned over and dived vertically. On another occasion, when his aircraft was attacked by a Messerschmitt 110, Sergeant Whitwell withheld his fire until the attacker had closed to a range of 50 yards and then shot it down in flames. This airman has displayed great ability, tenacity and courage" |
Born Hartlepool, UK of UK parents. Served 2 years with the Scots Greys 1936-38 (British Army); then enlisted with the NZ Artillery, serving at 1st Battery, Fort Dorset, Seatoun, Wellington before enlisting with the RNZAF. Flew his first operation 16 June 1941. DFM awarded 19 Decemver 1941. Promoted to P/O 27 January 1942, and F/O on 1 October 1942. During the Battle of Britain he was an Air Gunner on Blenheims with 60 Sqn (circa. 25 operations between 23 September and 15 December 1940). |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/99/22 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/99/21 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 06-11-1942 |
End Date | 07-11-1942 |
Takeoff Station | Oakington |
Day/Night Raid | Night (4% moon) |
Operation | Mining in Nectarines area |
Reason for Loss | Believed shot down by a night-fighter and crashed off Vlieland |