LAC Vernon Dale RAF 616618

[Rich Allenby]

Can anyone tell me how the above serviceman died on 10th July 1940 please. He was a friend of my grandmother and I recall she thought it was as a result of action in the Battle of Britain.

Thanks Rich Allenby

[Dick]

Hi Rich
The death of Dale,21, is registered at Surrey S.W , an area that includes Dunsfold
Regards
Dick

[Rich Allenby]

Dick, many thanks for this quick reply.
regards Rich

[Ken MacLean]

Rich,

His name is in the R.A.F. Roll of Honour published in the London Times 29 July 1940.
"Died on Active Service" Dale, Ldg. Aircraftman V.

Death therefore not due to enemy action.

Ken

[Rich Allenby]

Hi, just re-posting this thread to see if anyone has come across Vernon Dale in the last few years.

His gravestone epitaph states that he "died through enemy action".

regards Rich Allenby.

[Dick]

Hi Rich
The "Died through enemy action" on the Headstone may be simply family belief. July 10 1940 is the very beginning of the BoB and Wood and Dempster in "the Narrow Margin" record action against Channel convoys with an attack on a train at Newhaven and attacks on Swansea and Falmouth ,but they also record night attacks on the Home counties among other places. With Dales death being registered in Surrey S.W he might have been a victim of such an attack.The Narrow Margin gives no details and "the BoB then and Now" starts from 11th Jul.
Regards
Dick

[Lyffe]

Rich,

Have you thought of getting Dale's death certificate - that should give the place and cause of death?

Brian

[Rich Allenby]

Thanks Gents, yes, the death cert is my next port of call. He has a white CWGC style stone but as I believe; the families could put whatever they wanted on the epitaph on the foot of the stone, I suppose it didn't have to be fact !

much appreciated, regards Rich

[dennis_burke]

We should add that some of those listed as Died on Active Service were killed for example by walking into spinning propellers, we have seen one or two such cases on Henk's unaccounted men's threads.