Sailes, Reginald Samuel
Personal Information
Rank | F/L |
Forename(s) | Reginald Samuel |
Surname | Sailes |
Gender | M |
Age | 35 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 27-06-1951 |
Next of Kin | Son of Samuel & Alice Sailes. Husband of Cecilia Mary Sailes (née Stratford), of Claremont, Witham Rd, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | De Havilland Mosquito B35 |
Serial Number | TK635 |
Markings |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | His family believe he was cremated but there is no evidence of his ashes being interred in a grave. |
Grave Reference | |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | Post-War |
Panel Number | POST (not yet erected on site) |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 136436 |
Service | Royal Air Force |
Group | |
Squadron | 139 (Jamaica) |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Miscellaneous Information
Born 3 October 1915 at New Cross, SE London. Attended Charlton LCC Central School 1927-31 and left with a School Leaving Certificate. His early career was as a lift attendant. Between 1934 and 1936 he was a Gunner (service number) 832508 with the 91st Field Brigade, 363rd Battery. Between 1935 and 1941 he was a Met Police traffic constable (PC440). He enlisted RAF Duke Road, Euston on 29 Apr 1941 with rank LAC and service number 1389359. His service career reads as follows: No1 ACRC 18 Aug 41 Lords CG; No 8 ACSB; 12 ITW Marine Hotel, Saint Andrews; P1 Pool 21 Feb 42; 34 EFTS 2 Jun 42 Canada; 31 EFTS 5 Jul 42 Canada; 32 SFTS 29 Aug 42 Canada; U/T Pilot 31 Oct 42; 41 SFTS 17 Mar 43 Staff Pilot Canada; 33 ANS 8 Oct 43 Staff Pilot Canada; 7 PRC RAF Harrogate 15 Sep 44; 21 (P) SFU 5 Dec 44; 16 OTU 6 Mar 45 RAF Upper Heyford; 571 Sqn 11 May 45 Pilot; HQ TC 7 Sep 45 Pilot; 162 Sqn 8 Sep 45; 1552 BABS Flt RAF Melbourne 10 Nov 45; 7 FIS 23 Jan - 27 Feb 46 and 27 Feb - 5 Mar 46 95 Course RAF Full Sutton 19 Oct 46; 109 Sqn RAF Coningsby 20 Dec 46; RAF Highgate 26 Nov 47; 109 Sqn RAF Coningsby 20 Jan 48; CBE RAF Marham 31 Mar 48; 139 Sqn RAF Hemswell 7 Nov 49. |
Known as 'Red', a nickname given to him while he was serving with 162 Sqn in Egypt, after the 1935 song Red Sails in the Sunset. |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 27-06-1951 |
End Date | 27-06-1951 |
Takeoff Station | Hemswell |
Day/Night Raid | Day |
Operation | |
Reason for Loss | Aircraft seen trailing black smoke before it crashed at Warren Farm, Cold Harbour, Lincolnshire. Cause of loss not determined |