DENNIS ALBERT HENRY UNDERWOOD
Images and extra information courtesy of Michael Cadwallader.
Born: 1923, Bentley, Suffolk.
Died: 17th April 1943; Age: 20; aircraft failed to return from Tunis.
Rank: Sergeant/Bomb Aimer; Service Number: 1333767.
Regiment: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 142 Squadron.
Grave Reference:
I.E.15.
Annaba,
Algeria.
Images courtesy of Mr Denis Underwood (nephew)
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Albert & Dorothy Annie Barbara Underwood, of Bentley, Suffolk.
Dennis’s last pay slip and money owed from the Air Ministry £23.6d
(minus tax) paid to his parents.
Dated 21st January 1944.
Father: Albert Underwood, born 1887, Bentley, Suffolk.
Mother: Dorothy Annie Barbara Underwood (nee Brewster), 1898, Godalming, Surrey.
Dennis is also remembered on the war memorial at St. Marys Church Bentley, Suffolk.
17th/18th April 1943
Aircraft: Vickers Wellington III; serial number: DF696; based at Blida, Algeria. On the 17th April 1943 DF696 was detailed to attack Tunis docks and marshaling yards. The weather en route and over the target was hazy with excellent visibility. The attack was concentrated on the marshalling yards causing a large explosion and fires. On the return journey the group of 9 aircraft were directed to Maison Blanche owing to a strong cross wind at Base. 7 aircraft safely landed. DF696 Failed to return from Tunis. Fw Liebecher of II/NJG 2 claimed to have shot down a Wellington.
The bodies of Laurie Staight, John Cook and William Underwood were never found. They are remembered on the Malta Memorial, Valletta, Southern Harbour, Malta. The bodies of Dennis and Henry were recovered from the sea and buried at Bone War Cemetery, Algeria.
fellow Crew members:
Henry Ronald Henley
Henry Ronald Henley original grave in Annaba, Algeria.
2 Comments
‘re Dennis Albert Henry underwood . My uncle
I have as a point of interest had it confirmed that an error on his grave at Bone cemetery has been corrected .
I have been searching for my uncle’s fellow crew members for some time and was so pleased to find your posting. My uncle was ‘Billy’ Underwood. I would be eternally grateful for any information you have concerning their short time together as crew mates. My Grandad never spoke about him and the war and my Grandma was grief-stricken to the end of her life.