Sample from Forgotten Heroes...

Leading Aircraftsman 1388831   ALBERT EDGAR AYLING   R.A.F.V.R.

10 August 1942       Age 19

Son of Albert and A. Ayling of Cowplain

MONTGOMERY (OAKWOOD) CEMETERY ANNEXE,

ALABAMA, U.S.A.   Sec.N.   Lot 117   Grave 6

 

Brother of C.A. Ayling.  Born in Portsmouth, enlisted 22 March 1941 and sent to Canada for flying training.  Killed in a flying accident at Gunters Field, Alabama, whilst on a training flight.

 

 

Sgt. Pilot 561445   CHARLES ALBERT HENRY AYLING   R.A.F. 66 Squadron

11 October 1940       Age 28

Son of Amelia Ayling of Cowplain

Husband of Joan Ayling of Pembroke

PEMBROKE (MONKTON ST. NICHOLAS) CEMETERY, PEMBROKESHIRE

 

Charles Ayling was born in Portsmouth on 12 March 1912, the family later moving to Cowplain.  He enlisted in the R.A.F. as a boy entrant in August 1927, gained his Air Observer Badge in 1937 and saw service in Egypt attached to the Fleet Air Arm.  He qualified as a pilot on 5 April 1939.  He was involved in air operations over France in May-June 1940 and on June 7 crash-landed his damaged Hurricane at Ronum-Boos airfield.  On 10 June he flew back to Tangmere from Garnay airfield despite a punctured tank.  He was transferred to 66 Squadron at Kenley and then on September 10 to 421 Flight at Gravesend.  This flight was known as Jim Crow with the task of reporting and observing German tactics and flight movements.  On 11 October whilst flying Spitfire P7303, he crashed and was killed at Newchurch, Kent, following combat over Hawkinge.  He was buried in Pembroke because that was the home of his Welsh wife, Joan.

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