227881 Sgt. (Air Bomber) John Henry ""Jack"" Bone Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 90 Squadron from:Watford (d.14th March 1944) John Bone. Always "Jack" in the family. My uncle, I never knew him but my mother Sylvia missed her big brother until her death in 2007.
The family story was as follows:-
He trained in Canada as a pilot, but did not make the grade, so became a Navigator/Air Bomber. It was reported at the time of his death to his parents that he died in England in the pilot seat of a Stirling Bomber.
Later information added that the Stirling had been shot up over France and "Jack" took the controls to get those still alive home. He was denied permission to land at various airfields as he progressed westwards over England. The Stirling crashed, out of fuel, as denied permission to land. (To allow an inexperienced pilot attempt an emergency landing in a damaged plane could endanger other lives and close an airfield to other returning aircraft. In addition the undercarriage of the Stirling was said to be a weak point.)
In wartime and many years afterwards there was no appetite for details, everybody accepted that many died.
Recently discovered:-
A memorial was unveiled 14/3/2014 on the 70th anniversary of his death, commemorating the mid air collision, of his Stirling WP-Peter of 90 Squadron, with a Wellington from No.11 Operational Training Unit. 15 young airmen died, there were no survivors from either aircraft. A tragic loss for all. A shame “Jack” was not represented. If his youngest brother Frank (post WWII RAF) wishes, and he is fit enough I will take him to see the memorial.
31/12/15
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