Flt.Sgt. Denis Graham Heath
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 218 Squadron
from:Sharnford
(d.3rd Feb 1943)
Denis Heath was educated at Frome School, presumably as a boarder, but we don't know why, as he lived in Leicester. He won medals for football at the school. He was employed as a Technical Salesman by A. de St. Dalmas, a well-known Leicester firm supplying medical equipment and consumables. He then joined Blatchfords, a manufacturer of artificial limbs. His skills in carpentry were well utilised as he became a skilled fitter.
When WWII started, his occupation was classed as Reserved due to the need for skilled prosthetics fitters. I have a letter from their MD warning employees that if they applied to join the armed forces their application would be turned down. Nevertheless he joined the RAFVR and was promoted to Flight Sergeant. He was assigned to 218 Squadron at Downham Market flying Stirling Bombers as a rear gunner. These aircraft were flying coffins. Due to monumental stupidity by the Air Ministry, the design was changed because they wouldn't fit in the hangars, which resulted in them not being able to climb high enough to avoid enemy anti-aircraft fire. Not one Stirling survived the war. Denis was shot down over Arnhem, Holland on 3rd of February 1943, during a bombing raid on Germany. He is buried in Arnhem cemetery.
