S/Ldr. Marshall - C/O 81 Squadron March 1944

[RussG]

Hi All,

In his book 'From North Africa to the Arakan', Alan McGregor Peart DFC mentions that his new commanding officer, Squadron Leader J. Marshall was killed in a flying accident. I cannot find this on the CWGW so could anyone tell me if he was killed whilst with 81 squadron or was it after the war.

Many thanks in advance,

Russ

[malcolm_raf]

Hi Russ

RAF Fighter SQns by Rawlings shows Marshall being OC, 81 Sqn from March to October 1944

He replaced SQn Ldr Whitamore who was killed in a flying accident on 17 March, so perhaps he was thinking of the wrong CO.

Malcolm

[KevinW4]

I found this entry on CWGC, date seems to correspond, perhaps confused over Name?
Name: WHITAMORE, WILLIAM MICHAEL
Initials: W M
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Squadron Leader
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 81 Sqdn.
Age: 21
Date of Death: 17/03/1944
Service No: 102107
Awards: D F C
Additional information: Son of Sqdn. Ldr. E. D. Whitamore and Mrs. Whitamore, of Bedford.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 431.
Memorial: SINGAPORE MEMORIAL

[Amrit]

Malcolm

does it show him to be J V Marshall? If so, then John Victor Marshall (83286) served in the RAF well into the 1960s

A

[RussG]

Thanks for all your replies,

Yes Amrit, his name was J. V. Marshall so it is obvious Peart made a mistake.

However, Whitamore was shot down over 'Broadway', Burma in a dogfight with Japanese fighters along with Sgt. Colin Campbell... he definately was not killed in an accident. I understood neither were recovered as the crash sites were never found in the jungle.

Many thanks again for all your help,

Russ

[COL BRUGGY]

Hello Russ,

No.81 squadron sustained the following casualties:

13-3-1944

1386500 F/Sgt Alexander Vernon Charles CAMPBELL RAFVR +
Shot down after take-off, crashed into jungle.
Commemorated on the Singapore Memorial.

17-3-1944

102107 S/L William Michael WHITAMORE DFC RAFVR +
Shot down in Air Combat.
Commemorated on the Singapore Memorial.

139992 F/O William James COULTER RAFVR +
Killed on the ground by strafing fighters.
Buried Taukkyan War cemetery.

NZ412729 F/O Alan MacGregor PEART RNZAF Uninjured
Aircraft damaged in Air Combat.

Two other aircraft destroyed on ground by strafing.

No aircraft serials mentioned.

See:
The Air Battle of Imphal.
Franks,Norman
London:William Kimber,1985
pp.31-2,35 & 211

Col.

[Amrit]

According to MoTBoB Marshall reached the rank of G/C, retired from teh RAF in 1970, and died in 1984. No mention of his death being due to an aviation accident.

A

[RussG]

Thanks again Col/Amrit,

Thats a books I will have have a look at.

Cheers,

Russ

[Henk Welting]

Gents,
How is it possible that F/O William J. COULTER - 139992 (CWGC: 81 Sqn) and who was killed on the ground by strafing fighters 17-3-1944, lies buried in the Taukkyan War Cemetery, Myanmar (former Burma) where his unit at that time was based at Kangla in India. It could have been as a PoW but his name is not listed in "Unsung Heroes of the RAF" (The Far East PoWs).
Regards,
Henk.

[COL BRUGGY]

Henk,

No.81 Squadron had a detachment operating out of 'Broadway', Burma. Coulter was killed on this strip.

Col.

[Henk Welting]

Thanks Col for explanation.
Regards,Henk.

[malcolm_raf]

Hi Russ

You are correct, Whitamore was KIA I looked at the wrong line of my spreadsheet.

Malcolm

[Diplodicus]

J V Marshall DFC (83286) was gazetted on 28 December 1962 as Group Captain w.e.f. 1 January 1963. He became station Commander of RAF South Cerney, then the home of 1 Flying Training School (later Aircrew Officer Training School).

[COL BRUGGY]

Hello,

l have the following for S/L Whitamore and F/Sgt Campbell:

17/03/1944 - WHITAMORE No.81 Sqn. Spitfire VIII JF711 - Missing

13/03/1944 - CAMPBELL No.81 Sqn. Spitfire VIII JF618 - Missing

Col.