207890 P/O. Peter Augustine Gleeson DFC.Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 83 Sqd. from:Surrey (d.13th Aug 1944) The Lancaster took off from Coningsby at 21.07 to target Brunswick but the flight was hit by nightfighters over Hodenhagen (Germany) and 5 of the crew were killed and 2 taken POW:
Those killed:
- Flying Officer Cyril Erritt age 24
- Flight Sergeant Goronwy Jones age 19
- Warrent Officer Edwin Alexander Taylor age
- Warrent officer Robert William Callagher age 28
- Pilot Officer Peter Augustine Gleeson age 21
All are buried in the Becklingen War Cemetery in Germany
Pilot Officer N P Delayen and Warrent Officer J McWilliamson were taken POW.
Peter Augustine is in my wife's family line and his family have a long tradition of duty. His father was a Lieutenant in WWI as was an uncle (both being awarded both service and bravery awards). Another uncle was killed in action in France in 1917. Peter's grandfather was also a regular soldier and Lieutenant and died in 1900 in South Africa during the Boer War. A brother of Peter's Grandfather (Andrew Fitzwilliam Gleeson) was also a career soldier being a Lt.Col and awarded an OBE. This line of the family also gave service with two of his sons serving in WWI and one of them being killed on action in WWII.
Whilst Peter Augustine does not belong in my family I am very proud of him.
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