Image from 1945 Evening Star Newspaper.
DON
Born: 12th January 1915, Ipswich.
Died: 17th September 1944; age: 29; aircraft crashed at the village of Libiole, Mantova on the bank of the River Po.
Residence: 17, Chenery Street, Ipswich.
Occupation: Committee Clerk – Town Clerk’s Department, Town Hall, Ipswich.
Rank: Flying Officer (Pilot); Service Number: 146987.
Regiment: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 142 Squadron.
Re-buried: 5th February 1946.
Grave Reference:
IV.F.5.
Veneto,
Italy.
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Arthur & Ellen Richer, of Ipswich.
Father: Arthur Richer, born March 1871, Ipswich.
Mother: Ellen Richer (nee Southgate), born June 1873, Great Finborough, Suffolk.
ENGLAND & WALES REGISTER 1939
Donald was a Committee Clerk – Town Clerk’s Department. He was living with his parents at their family home – 17, Chenery Street, Ipswich.
Arthur, a Grain & Coal Warehouse Labourer.
Ellen, unpaid Domestic Duties.
Donald was educated at Northgate School, Ipswich; he was an active officer in the 8th Ipswich Boys’ Brigade.
Probate to Arthur Richer – father, a retired Corn Mill Foreman.
Donald is also remembered on the war memorial at the Town Hall, Ipswich.
17th September 1944
Aircraft – Wellington X Serial number – MF249-P failed to return from an attack on the Marshalling Yards at Brescia. The aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire causing it to crash at the village of Libiole, Mantova on the bank of the River Po.
Fellow Crew:
Frank Harrison; Sergeant; R.A.F.V.R.
Nolan Alexander Good; Flight Sergeant; age 21; R.N.Z.A.F.
Norman Frederick Nash; Sergeant; age 21; R.A.F.V.R.
William Harry Harper; Sergeant; age 32; R.A.F.V.R.
The bodies of Donald & William were recovered and buried at Padua War Cemetery. The others lost are commemorated on the Malta Memorial.
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