F/O H R Wheeler RAF 70727 27/07/1940

[nicks]

I would be grateful for any information relating to this officer.

Name: WHEELER, HAROLD RAYMOND
Initials: H R
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Flying Officer (Pilot)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force
Date of Death: 27/07/1940
Service No: 70727
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 3.
Cemetery: BRISTOL (ARNOS VALE) CREMATORIUM

I have been unable to find a death registration in England or Wales.

Regards

Nick

[Ross_McNeill]

Hi Nick,

Battle L5293 of No.7 BGS.

Loss off shore bodies recovered later

Regards
Ross

[nicks]

Thanks Ross.

Any names for the other crew members?

Was No.7 BGS a Bomber and Gunnery School?

Thanks

Nick

[dennis_burke]

Removed - Incorrect data posted.

Dennis

[nicks]

Thanks, Dennis.

[Ross_McNeill]

Hi Dennis,

Not even close.

AC2 M A Barringer
AC2 R E Barker

Both men on Runnymede Memorial.

Nick
BGS Bombing and Gunnery School.

Regards
Ross

[nicks]

Thanks Ross.

You've given me some useful information to follow up.

Nick

[nicks]

Looking for clarification of the rank of AC2 M A Barringer 911627 as the CWGC website has him listed as a Corporal. I know from experience that the CWGC database contains errors therefore can anyone confirm his rank.

Also, if there was a delay in the body of F/O wheeler being recovered would this explain why I have not been able to find a death registration for him?

Thanks

Nick

[JohnBelcher]

Nick

From some notes I made from the Gazette and Herald

"Funeral 3 August 1940.

Crashed into the sea during a training flight, his body was not recovered until the following Wednesday."

Parents - Mr and Mrs Francis G Wheeler of 1 Greenway Park. Hence the link to Chippenham

[Mark Hood]

Battle L5293 7 BGS

A Signal in TNA, Kew, dated 27 July 1940 states - In Sea 51 deg 20 mins North, 4 deg 15 mins West 0930 hours F/O H.R. Wheeler 70727 AC Barker 939176.

Mark