Looking for fate of F/Sgt GR Claydon 504 Sqn

[Phil Listemann]

Hello,

During Ramrod 1175, F/Sgt GR Claydon in Spitfire PL385 was obliged to abandon his aircraft near Lisieux in Normandy. Not sure what happened next to him, he was captured or he managed to evade capture. Anyone knows?

Thanks

Phil

[Resmoroh]

Phil,
These are the only two possible (rpt, possible) candidates I’ve been able to excavate. They don’t come up anywhere else that I can see! Doesn’t look good!! But somebody may find a connection?

Geoffrey Russell Claydon, 1338856
b. in/or before 1922 (if he was 18 on e.)
e. Block 1330001-1340000, RAFVR, Weston-S-Mare, from 01-Nov-40

Gordon Robert Claydon, 1206097
b. in/or before 1922 (if he was 18 on e.)
e. Block 1150001-1250000, RAFVR, Cardington, from 01-Apr-40

HTH
Peter Davies

[COL BRUGGY]

Hello,

From Clutton-Brock's, The Long Road.

NAME: Claydon
Initials: GR
RANK: W/O.
NAT: -
SERVICE NO: 1338856
SQN: 504
AIRCRAFT: Spitfire
NO: PL385
DATE: 07/08/1944
CAMP/S: L7
NUM: 733
TRUPP: 31
COMMENTS: Shot down on Ramrod 1175. To UK via Odessa and Middle East.
(p.295)

See:
The Long Road - Trials and Tribulations of Airmen Prisoners from Stalag VII (Bankau) to Berlin, June 1944-May 1945.
Clutton-Brock, Oliver & Raymond Crompton.
London:Grub Street,2013.
pp.244-6 & 295.

Col.