DAVID HART AYERS

Laid to rest at Ipswich New Cemetery.

Born: 25th February 1914, Wroxall, Isle of Wight, Hampshire.

Died: 23rd September 1940; age 26; Baled out of his aircraft and killed in the sea off Southwold, Suffolk.

Last seen alive on the 23rd September – body found 4th October 1940 at sea.

Residence: Halford, Parsonage Road, Herne Bay, Kent.

Employed: as a Bank Clerk for the National Provincial Bank, Herne Bay.

David joined the R.A.F.V.F in July 1937 – he was called up on the 1st September 1939. In August 1940, David left 600 Squadron and joined 74 Squadron.

Based at Coltishall, Norfolk.

Rank: Sergeant/Pilot; Service Number: 740696.

Regiment: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 74 Squadron.

Grave Reference:

X.H.437.

Ipswich New Cemetery,

Ipswich.

Relatives Notified & Address: Only son of Frank Kidall Ayers & Edith Margaret Ayers, of Herne Bay, Kent.

Father: Frank Kidall Ayers, born March 1879, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

Mother: Edith Margaret Ayers (nee Hart), born October 1877, Highgate, London.

CENSUS

1921  National Provincial House, Totland, Isle of Wight, Hampshire.

David was 7 years and 4 months old. He attended School and lived with his parents.

Frank Ayers, 42 years & 3 months old, a Bank Manager for the National Provincial and Union Bank of England.

Edith Ayers, 44 years & 8 months old, Home Duties.

1 female domestic servant.

David continued his education at Kent College, Canterbury. He entered in 1926 and left in 1931.

Probate to Frank Kidall Ayers – father, a retired bank manager, and a volunteer Air Raid Precautions warden.

23rd September 1940

Aircraft: Supermarine Spitfire Mk 11a; serial number: P7362, based at R.A.F. Station Coltishall, Norfolk. David baled out of his aircraft during a routine patrol into the sea SE of Southwold, Suffolk. His body was recovered on the 4th October 1940.

November 2020

https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/war-graves-repaired-at-ipswich-cemetery-1-6922987