Flt. Sergeant 1315293 Richard Webb Maggs - 153 Squadron RAFVR

**Mangoman72** · 30th May 2018, 09:31

The names of three men from our village who were killed in WWII are missing from the war memorial so I am in the process of finding irrefutable evidence for one man in particular - Flt. Sergeant 1315293 Richard Webb Maggs of 153 Squadron RAFVR.

The CWGC states that he lost his life on 6th September 1943 and wonder if there is a member of this forum who can throw some light on how or whereabouts he was killed. Maggs is commemorated on the Malta Memorial.

Thanks in advance.

**COL BRUGGY** · 30th May 2018, 11:30

Hello,

1315293 F/Sgt Richard Webb MAGGS and 1196636 F/Sgt Kenneth TIMMS were both lost in No.153 Sqn Beaufighter VIF V8816 when an engine cut on patrol and the aircraft ditched 33m North of Cherchel, Algeria, on 6 September, 1943.

Col.

**malcolm_raf** · 30th May 2018, 13:36

Hi

For accuracy Maggs was a member of the RAFVR but No 153 Squadron was a RAF unit not RAFVR unit, The RAFVR di not have its own squadrons.

Malcolm

**AlanW** · 31st May 2018, 14:10

Have to agree with Col, according to the 153sqdn ORB, he was flying Beaufighter V8816, which took off from Reghaia for a patrol on 5/9/43 at 01.00hrs, Radioed in between 4.02 and 4.10 that his port engine had failed and needed a homing signal. Special searches were carried out next day, but although "packs" were dropped to two dinghys seen in the area, no further trace was fouind/.