Clarke, Victor Robert
Personal Information
Rank | WO |
Forename(s) | Victor Robert |
Surname | Clarke |
Gender | M |
Age | 34 |
Decorations | MBE |
Date of Death | 23-09-1946 |
Next of Kin | Son of Oscar Robert and Ethel Maude Clarke; husband of Kathleen Mary Clarke, of Westcliff-on-Sea. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Vickers Wellington IC |
Serial Number | R1279 |
Markings |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Southend-on-Sea (Sutton Road) Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Plot T. Grave 17235 |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | Post-War |
Panel Number | POST (not yet erected on site) |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 959892 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | |
Squadron | 9 (IX) |
Trade | WOp |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | Village Green, Bardney, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stone Memorial, Propeller and Plaque |
Memorial Text | In memory of the killed or missing of IX Sqd. 1939 - 1945 |
Miscellaneous Information
PoW number 23600. He was camp leader of Stalag Luft IV and had previously been incarcerated in Stalag Luft VI. He was an extremely diligent and hugely popular camp leader and also won the respect of the German guards. He was instrumental in mitigrating the worst effects of the forced march out of Stalag Luft IV of Febraury 1945. It was during the march that he was taken ill and was forced to leave his men behind. |
Mentioned in Bombers First and Last by Gordon Thorburn |
His MBE was promulgated on 28 December 1945 |
Casualty Pack Number Find Out More
(P/361825/41) |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/126/15 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/126/14 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 29-08-1941 |
End Date | 30-08-1941 |
Takeoff Station | Honington |
Day/Night Raid | Night |
Operation | Mannheim |
Reason for Loss | Flying at 11,000 feet over the target having completed the bombing run, entered cloud to avoid flak and searchlights and became iced up. The pilot lost control of the aircraft and it turned onto its back. He subsequently regained control and instructed the crew to prepare to abandon. He once again lost control but was able to get it back under control at 2,000 feet, at which point it was found that the wireless operator, Sgt. Clarke, and the navigator (Sgt. Corser) had baled out and this was confirmed by the fron gunner, who had seen them leave the aircraft. Both became prisoners of war. The Wellington made a safe return to Honington without further incident. |