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LESLIE VERDUN RAPER
Rank: Leading Aircraftman
Service No: 1161077
Date of Death: 23/09/1943
Age: 27
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 261 Sqdn.
Grave Reference 2. B. 8.
Cemetery DELHI WAR CEMETERY
Additional Information: Son of William Thomas Raper and Emma Eliza Raper, of Grimsby, Lincolnshire.
Rank: Leading Aircraftman
Service No: 1161077
Date of Death: 23/09/1943
Age: 27
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 261 Sqdn.
Grave Reference 2. B. 8.
Cemetery DELHI WAR CEMETERY
Additional Information: Son of William Thomas Raper and Emma Eliza Raper, of Grimsby, Lincolnshire.
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CLIFFORD GEORGE RAWLINS
Rank: Trimmer
Date of Death: 02/08/1942
Age: 20
Regiment/Service: Fishing Fleet Steam Trawler Bombay (Grimsby)
Awards: B E M and Lloyd's Medal
Panel Reference Panel 123.
Memorial TOWER HILL MEMORIAL
Additional Information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Rawlins, of Grimsby, Lincolnshire.
Rank: Trimmer
Date of Death: 02/08/1942
Age: 20
Regiment/Service: Fishing Fleet Steam Trawler Bombay (Grimsby)
Awards: B E M and Lloyd's Medal
Panel Reference Panel 123.
Memorial TOWER HILL MEMORIAL
Additional Information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Rawlins, of Grimsby, Lincolnshire.
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RICHARD REYNOLDS
Rank: Corporal
Service No: 1888055
Date of Death: 17/07/1943
Age: 25
Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers 290 Army Field Coy.
Grave Reference VIII. D. 8.
Cemetery SYRACUSE WAR CEMETERY, SICILY
Additional Information: Son of Richard and Frances Rebecca Reynolds, of Grimsby, Lincolnshire; husband of Clara Reynolds, of Grimsby.
Rank: Corporal
Service No: 1888055
Date of Death: 17/07/1943
Age: 25
Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers 290 Army Field Coy.
Grave Reference VIII. D. 8.
Cemetery SYRACUSE WAR CEMETERY, SICILY
Additional Information: Son of Richard and Frances Rebecca Reynolds, of Grimsby, Lincolnshire; husband of Clara Reynolds, of Grimsby.
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THOMAS RICE
Rank: Deck Hand
Date of Death: 04/08/1940
Age: 25
Regiment/Service: Naval Auxiliary Personnel (Merchant Navy) H.M. Trawler Oswaldian Panel Reference Panel 17, Column 2.
Memorial LIVERPOOL NAVAL MEMORIAL
Rank: Deck Hand
Date of Death: 04/08/1940
Age: 25
Regiment/Service: Naval Auxiliary Personnel (Merchant Navy) H.M. Trawler Oswaldian Panel Reference Panel 17, Column 2.
Memorial LIVERPOOL NAVAL MEMORIAL
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DAN CARRIGAN RIPPON
Rank: Pilot Officer
Trade: Pilot
Service No: 172870
Date of Death: 01/07/1944
Age: 21
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 101 Sqdn.
Grave Reference Plot 2. Grave 596.
Cemetery CHATEAUDUN EASTERN COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Additional Information: Son of Charles Edward and Ethel Rippon, of Grimsby, Lincolnshire.
Rank: Pilot Officer
Trade: Pilot
Service No: 172870
Date of Death: 01/07/1944
Age: 21
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 101 Sqdn.
Grave Reference Plot 2. Grave 596.
Cemetery CHATEAUDUN EASTERN COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Additional Information: Son of Charles Edward and Ethel Rippon, of Grimsby, Lincolnshire.
On the night of Friday 30/06/44, Avro Lancaster ME616 piloted by Pilot Officer Dan Carrigan Rippon took off from its base at RAF Ludford Magna, North Lincolnshire at 2215 along with nine other 101 Squadron Lancasters assigned to “ABC” duties (see below) as part of a total force of 118 heavy bombers detailed to attack the Railway marshalling yards at the town of Vierzon to the south of Orleans. Vierzon was a key strategic waypoint for German troops and armour being moved forward to counter allied forces establishing a foothold in Normandy after the D-Day landings just over three weeks earlier.
ME616 crashed at Chateaudun in the early hours of 01/07/44, approximately 100km to the north west of the target killing all eight crew, whose remains are buried side by side in the local cemetery.
P/O Rippon and his crew were on their 17th operation together having been operational at 101 Squadron since 18/04/44, Although this crew had been together for all 17 of their operations they had been completed on a total of seven different Lancasters, this was the first time they had flown in ME616 which was the regular aircraft of another crew. ·
This operation was solely a 1 Group effort using their own target markers and master bomber, rather than assistance from the 8 Group pathfinder force (PFF). Visibility was good and target marking was accurate, making for a highly successful raid, all of the through rail lines were cut, much of the rolling stock present was destroyed and two-thirds of the locomotive sheds were rendered inoperable, damage was also sustained to other commercial premises in the vicinity. Returning crews reported heavy opposition from both flak and night-fighters on approach to the target, over the target and on the return leg. A total of fourteen aircraft were lost on this operation (mostly around the target area), three of which came from Ludford Magna. ·
The Lancasters of 101 Squadron carried an extra crew member (eight rather than the usual seven) as they were fitted with top secret equipment that required a specialist operator (SO). ABC or “airborne cigar” as it was known was basically the infancy stages of modern airborne electronic counter measures. An ABC equipped Lancaster was only distinguishable by the prominent (usually two) antennae mounted on the top of the fuselage. Inside the aircraft the ABC operator would sit facing a radio frequency scanner on which he would search for the variable channels that were being used by the German ground controllers to guide the night fighters into an attack position. The ABC operator would scan the airwaves using his knowledge of the German language to locate and lock on to the frequency operative that night, he would then, using the powerful on-board transmitters broadcast a strong jamming signal to block communications between the “nachtjaeger” (NJG) squadrons and their ground controllers, a method which did indeed help to delay and confound the enemy to a great extent. The ABC system remained “Top Secret” for many years after the end of the war.
ME616 crashed at Chateaudun in the early hours of 01/07/44, approximately 100km to the north west of the target killing all eight crew, whose remains are buried side by side in the local cemetery.
P/O Rippon and his crew were on their 17th operation together having been operational at 101 Squadron since 18/04/44, Although this crew had been together for all 17 of their operations they had been completed on a total of seven different Lancasters, this was the first time they had flown in ME616 which was the regular aircraft of another crew. ·
This operation was solely a 1 Group effort using their own target markers and master bomber, rather than assistance from the 8 Group pathfinder force (PFF). Visibility was good and target marking was accurate, making for a highly successful raid, all of the through rail lines were cut, much of the rolling stock present was destroyed and two-thirds of the locomotive sheds were rendered inoperable, damage was also sustained to other commercial premises in the vicinity. Returning crews reported heavy opposition from both flak and night-fighters on approach to the target, over the target and on the return leg. A total of fourteen aircraft were lost on this operation (mostly around the target area), three of which came from Ludford Magna. ·
The Lancasters of 101 Squadron carried an extra crew member (eight rather than the usual seven) as they were fitted with top secret equipment that required a specialist operator (SO). ABC or “airborne cigar” as it was known was basically the infancy stages of modern airborne electronic counter measures. An ABC equipped Lancaster was only distinguishable by the prominent (usually two) antennae mounted on the top of the fuselage. Inside the aircraft the ABC operator would sit facing a radio frequency scanner on which he would search for the variable channels that were being used by the German ground controllers to guide the night fighters into an attack position. The ABC operator would scan the airwaves using his knowledge of the German language to locate and lock on to the frequency operative that night, he would then, using the powerful on-board transmitters broadcast a strong jamming signal to block communications between the “nachtjaeger” (NJG) squadrons and their ground controllers, a method which did indeed help to delay and confound the enemy to a great extent. The ABC system remained “Top Secret” for many years after the end of the war.
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FREDERICK ROBBINS
Rank: Second Hand
Date of Death: 02/08/1942
Age: 26
Regiment/Service: Fishing Fleet Fishing Vessel Bombay (Grimsby)
Panel Reference Panel 123.
Memorial TOWER HILL MEMORIAL
Additional Information: Husband of Barbara Robbins, of Grimsby, Lincolnshire.
Rank: Second Hand
Date of Death: 02/08/1942
Age: 26
Regiment/Service: Fishing Fleet Fishing Vessel Bombay (Grimsby)
Panel Reference Panel 123.
Memorial TOWER HILL MEMORIAL
Additional Information: Husband of Barbara Robbins, of Grimsby, Lincolnshire.
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KENNETH OSMOND ROWSON
Rank: Private
Service No: 4810049
Date of Death: 26/11/1943
Age: 21
Regiment/Service: Lincolnshire Regiment 6th Bn.
Grave Reference VII, K, 9.
Cemetery MINTURNO WAR CEMETERY
Additional Information: Son of Charles D. and Harriet Rowson, of Grimsby, Lincolnshire.
Rank: Private
Service No: 4810049
Date of Death: 26/11/1943
Age: 21
Regiment/Service: Lincolnshire Regiment 6th Bn.
Grave Reference VII, K, 9.
Cemetery MINTURNO WAR CEMETERY
Additional Information: Son of Charles D. and Harriet Rowson, of Grimsby, Lincolnshire.
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LESLIE RUSHBY
Rank: Skipper
Date of Death: 09/10/1940
Age: 31
Regiment/Service: Royal Naval Reserve H.M. Trawler Sea King
Panel Reference Panel I, Column 3.
Memorial LOWESTOFT NAVAL MEMORIAL
Rank: Skipper
Date of Death: 09/10/1940
Age: 31
Regiment/Service: Royal Naval Reserve H.M. Trawler Sea King
Panel Reference Panel I, Column 3.
Memorial LOWESTOFT NAVAL MEMORIAL