41258, Plt Off James John Hawke COPLEY

[Steve Brew]

I am seeking a little information on the above officer, who was granted a SSC as Prob APO on 29 Oct 38. He joined 41 Sqn on 10 Jun 1939, promoted to Plt Off on 29 Aug 39, and killed in a flying accident on 14 Sep 39, aged 18. He was the son of Sqn Ldr (Ret) Reginald J. & Josephine M. Copley of Newton, Cambs, and is buried in St Margaret Churchyard, Newton.

I would like to establish (i) his date of birth, and (ii) his unit/s between his appointment to a SSC in Oct 38 and his time of joining 41 Sqn in Jun 39.

Can anyone help me further, please?

Thanks
Steve

[thorne83]

Hi Steve, not had any luck finding a birth record for JJHC, but he is listed on a passenger ship arriving in London on 19th August 1932 from Brisbane. Listed are Reginald (aged 41 - 'Aero Engineer'), Josephine (aged 41 - 'Home Duties'), John James (aged 11 - 'Scholar') and Cynthia (aged 10 - 'Scholar). Their country of last permanent residence is New Zealand. Proposed address in the UK is Hambleton House, Sowerby, Thirsk, Yorkshire.

I've searched family trees on Ancestry also but he does not appear. Cynthia Josephine Hawke Copley does though. Her place of birth is Karachi, India, March 1922, so I can only presume that JJHC could have been born there also?

Reginald James Hawke Copley (father John Hawke Copley, deceased), a Lt at RAF Henley, married Josephine Myna Davies (father Humphrey Merrick Davies, deceased) in West Kensington, London, 3rd May 1919. Both Reginald and Josephine (in 1976) died in Geraldton, Western Australia.

Hope that helps!

Tom

[thorne83]

To add a little more meat to the bones, there is an R J Copley employed as 'Ground engineer' for the Auckland Aero Club, New Zealand, listed in Flight, 28th March 1930.

Would explain the return from NZ in 1932.

Cheers,

Tom

[Oggie2620]

Might be worth contacting Errol Martyn as he is the Kiwi Aircrew Guru....

[Resmoroh]

Just a minor query re post #2.
Now presuming, or assuming, in this game is a very dangerous thing, but I assume that in 1919 it was RAF Henlow. Or is there something about RAF Henley/Crazies Hill/Cockpole Green that I don't know about? - and it's in my back-yard so to speak!!
Rgds
Peter Davies

[thorne83]

Didn't even think about that when I wrote it! It will be RAF Kenley.

Cheers,

Tom

[thorne83]

Similarly, ‘Myna’ should read Myra!

[Resmoroh]

Some keyboards can have a mind of their own!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Peter

[Steve Brew]

Thanks Tom

Well, that took a turn I didn't expect, which at least explains why nothing came up in a search on Free BMD!

I appreciate the time you've spent on this on my behalf. These things never end up being as easy as they look on face value!

Cheers
Steve