DENNIS JOHN FERRIS

Born: 1925, Ipswich.

Died: 12th September 1945; age: 20; killed when aircraft hit trees and crashed.

Residence: 234, Bramford Lane, Ipswich.

Rank: Flight Sergeant/Wireless Operator/Air Gunner; Service Number: 1867642.

Regiment: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 233 Squadron.

Grave Reference:

8.F.11.18.

Imphal War Cemetery,

Imphal,

Manipur,

India.

Relatives Notified & Address: Son of William Albert & Florence Ethel Ferris, Of Ipswich.

Father: William Albert Ferris, born July 1883, born Bath, Somerset.

Mother: Florence Ethel Ferris (nee Blake), born July 1899 – died 1943, Ipswich.

ENGLAND & WALES REGISTER 1939.

Dennis was living with his parents & siblings at their family home – 234, Bramford Lane, Ipswich.

William, a Heavy Vehicle Driver – Ipswich Corporation – CXleaning Dept. During the Second World War William was a part time A.R.P. Warden & 631 Mobile First Aid.

Florence, unpaid Domestic Duties.

Stanley William Ferris, a Labourer – Non-Ferrous Extrusion, born Marylebone, London.

and 2 other siblings.

Probate to William Albert Ferris – father. A Corporation Driver.

No. 233 Squadron

The squadron had operated with Costal Command in the UK and Gibraltar during the first part of World War Two before transferring to Transport Command in the lead up to D-Day. In August 1945 the squadron set out for the Far East, but had not become operational before the Japanese surrended.

12th September 1945

Aircraft: Douglas Dakota IV; serial number: KJ902; based at Tulihal (Imphal), India. KJ902 were engaged in supply dropping over a mountainous area in Burma. The weather conditions were marginal with patches of low cloud. As KJ902 made its run in over the drop zone it flew into a patch of cloud which concealed high ground. The starboard wing hit trees and was torn off causing the aircraft to crash into a gully where it was destroyed by a post-crash fire. All 8 crew members were killed.

Crew:

Reginald William Evered; Warrant Officer/Pilot; age 29; R.A.F.V.R.

Douglas Philip Swain; Sergeant/Co Pilot; age 21; R.A.F.V.R.

Alan Milward Tyson; Warrant Officer/Navigator; age 24; R.A.F.V.R.

William Lawrence West; Corporal/Air Dispatcher; age 20; R.A.S.C.

Charles Ellis; Driver/Air Dispatcher; age 29; R.A.S.C.

Ernest Lord; Driver/Air Dispatcher; age 24; R.A.S.C.

Sepoy Naga; age 17; I.A.S.C.

Squadron and aircraft information courtesy of John Allan.