F098 Archibald Augustus James BEER Mentioned in Despatches 3 times. Flight Lieutenant, 43314, Royal Air Force. Born 1892 at St Thomas, Devon to James and Alma Enna Beer, nee Marks. 1901 he was residing with his parents and siblings at The Police Station, Dawlish, Devon, father was a police constable. Husband of Dorothy Grace Beer, of Reading, Berkshire. He fought in the Great War with the Royal Flying Corp as Air Mechanic 1st Class 555. Awarded the 1914 Star medal. Died at Kalafrana, Malta 18th April 1942 aged 49 years as the result of enemy air raid on Malta
London Gazette dated 28 February 1916 -
The President of the French Republic has bestowed the decoration of "Medaille Militaire" on the undermentioned warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men in recognition of their distinguished service during the campaign.
Serjeant 555 Archibald Augustus James Beer, Royal Flying Corps and many others
London Gazette dated 1 November 1921 -
The undermentioned officers and airmen of the Royal Air Force have been mentioned for distinguished service in a despatch received from Lieutenant-General Sir J. A. L. Haldane,
K.C.B., D.S.O., General Officer Commanding in Chief, Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force:
Flt./Sgt. 555 Archibald Augustus John Beer, R.A.F and many others
London Gazette dated 14 May 1940. Royal Air Force Technical Branch -
The undermentioned Warrant Officers are granted commissions for the duration of hostilities as Flying Officers on probation with effect from the dates stated, and seniority of I4th Mar. 1940.
24th Apr. 1940. 555 Archibald Augustus James BEER (43314).
London Gazette dated 2 May 1941. Air Ministry. Royal Air Force Technical Branch -
The undermentioned Flying Officers on probation are confirmed in their appointments. 24th Apr. 1941. Archibald Augustus James BEER (43314) and others.
F098 Keith Lockhart HARDY, Sergeant, Wireless Operator/Air Gunner, R/72509, Royal Canadian Air Force attached to Royal Air Force Force at RAF Luqa, Malta. On the 9th April 1942 he was piloting a Hudson aircraft which crashed on landing at RAF Luqa, he was instantly killed. He had previously been injured in a flying accident 9 August 1941.
Notes from his Air Force Records -
He was born 8 September 1918 at Elmsdale, Prince Edward Island, Canada to Frederick and Helen Charlotte Hardy nee McNeil. Enlisted 22 April 1940 at Charlestown, Prince Edward Island, civilian occupation book keeper and clerk for two years. Resided at Bloomfield Station. His next of kin was his sister Linda Alberta Callbeck of 328 Argyle Street, Summerside, Prince Edward Island.
F098 Kenneth Walter HAYTER. Corporal, 571417, Royal Air Force of 22 Squadron. Born 1921 to Herbert Walter and Ethel Anne Lilian Hayter, nee Fox of Richmond, Surrey. Died 18th April 1942 aged 21 years from injuries received as the result of enemy air raids on Malta.
F098 Stanley Ernest HOWROYD. Flight-Sergeant, Pilot, 935037 of 22 Squadron, Royal Air Force (VR) of , Born 1917 at Bradford, Yorkshire to Charles Sydney and Elsie Mabel Howroyd, nee Batty of Little Horton, Bradford, Yorkshire. Died 14th April 1942 aged 25 years
F098 Hugh Percival McKEE, Pilot-Officer, J/5103, Royal Canadian Air Force, attached Royal Air Force Born 12 December 1920 at Edmonton Canada to Veterinary Surgeon Samuel Cochrane and Agnes Brown Eveline McKee, nee Renton of 26 Delaware Street Toronto, Ontario, Canada. His father was born at Tobermore Londonderry and his mother in Belfast and they got married 19 October 1918 in Belfast. He enlisted on the 12 July 1940 as Leading Aircraftman at Toronto posted to No. 8 Service Flying Training School.
Following extract taken from his Air Force Records -
On Easter Monday 5th April 1942 aged 21 years he was flying his Beaufort AW298, aircraft from Gibraltar arrived over Malta approximately 2300 hours local time bound for RAF Luqa. The aircraft crashed into the dispersal area whilst approaching the aerodrome. At the time of the accident there was a slight ground mist. The aircraft burst into flames and was completely destroyed all the crew perished.
F098 Jack Marshall SMITH Sergeant, 636422, Royal Air Force, aged 21 years, the son of Marshall William and Annie Smith, of Pulham St.Mary, Norfolk. Died 18th April 1942
F098 Kenneth Leftwich THOMAS, Sergeant, Wireless Operator/Air Gunner, 985597, Royal Air Force (VR), aged 23 years, the son of Thomas Richard and Frances Haworth Thomas, of Liverpool. Died 5th April 1942.
The following credited to
http://www.liobians.org
Kenneth Leftwich THOMAS, 1919 – 1942. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 5 (Coastal) Operations Training Unit. Kenneth Leftwich Thomas was born in West Derby registration district of Liverpool on 22nd February 1919 and was christened at St Margaret’s, Anfield, on 29th April 1919. His parents were Thomas Richard Thomas and Frances Haworth Thomas (née Leftwich). Kenneth attended the Liverpool Institute from 1930 to 1934.
On enlisting in the RAFVR he was issued with service number 985597, which was part of a block of numbers issued to recruits at RAF Padgate, Warrington, between September 1939 and April 1941. He trained as a wireless operator/air gunner and attained the rank of Sergeant. On 5th April 1942, a day of practically continuous air raids on Malta from dawn to dark, Kenneth was part of the crew of Bristol Beaufort Mk.II torpedo bomber AW298 of No.5 (Coastal) Operations Training Unit when it crashed and burned at Luqa airfield, Malta. The aircraft was piloted by Pilot Officer Hugh Percival McKee (RCAF).
The reason for an aircraft of 5 (Coastal) Operations Training Unit, which was based in Devon at Chivenor, to be present in Malta that day has not been found. Kenneth and the rest of the crew were buried in Grave 98 in plot F of the Protestant Section (men’s) of Malta’s Capuccini Naval cemetery.
All at rest in Capuccini Naval Cemetery Plot F Grave 98
