JACK ERNEST ANTHONY FRIEND

From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG”: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730

As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570

Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.

Born: 18th December 1914, Ipswich.

Died: 1st May 1940; age: 25; at Croxton Kerrial, Leicestershire – aircraft crash.

Residence: Rayden, Beach Road East, Felixstowe, Suffolk.

Confirmed as a Pilot Officer – 4th April 1939.

Rank: Pilot Officer/Pilot; Service Number: 40818.

Regiment: Royal Air Force, 61 Squadron.

Grave Reference:

St. Margaret’s of Antioch Churchyard,

Stradishall,

Suffolk.

Father: Ernest Leonard Friend, born 1887, Ipswich – died September 1939, Ipswich.

Mother: Margaret Ethel Friend (nee Boddy), born 1886, Norwich, Norfolk – died 1938, Ipswich.

Sister: Marigold Constance Jean Friend, born 1921, Felixstowe, Suffolk.

CENSUS

1921   near Home Farm, Nacton, Suffolk.

Jack was 6 years and 6 months old. He, his parents and his sister were visitors at the home of the Barnes family.

William David Barnes, 28 years & 4 months old, a Horseman for the Right Honourable Ernest George Pretyman, of Home Farm, Nacton, born Iken, Suffolk.

Ann Grace Barnes (nee Thompson), 30 years & 4 months old, Home Duties, born Martlesham, Suffolk.

John Henry Jephthah Barnes, 3 years and 5 months old, born Nacton.

Ena Grace Rose Barnes, 18 months old, born Nacton.

Ernest Friend, 34 years & 10 months old, a Joinery Manufacturer – own account – employer, trading at Sedan Street, Ipswich.

Margaret Friend, 34 years & 6 months old.

Peggy Evelyn Joyce Friend, 21 months old.

Jack was educated at Ipswich School.

Jack is also remembered on the Ipswich School Chapel war memorial and at RAF Stradishall, Suffolk.

1st May 1940

Aircraft: Hampden I; Serial number: L4119; Code: QR-. Took off at Hemswell, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire. The aircraft crashed at 04:40hrs on return from an operational mission – ‘Aalborg,’ after more than 9 hours in the air at Croxton Kerrial, Leicestershire.

Fellow Crew:

Charles Frost; Sergeant/Observer; RAF

Charles William Glover; Flight Officer/ Pilot; killed on his 27th birthday; RAF.

John Bell Greenall; Aircraftman 1st Class/ Wireless Operator/Air Gunner; age 22; RAF.

Charles William Glover – On the 4th May a burial service with full service honours was held in Hemswell, Lincolnshire. A memorial service was held in the Legion Hall, Kelvington, Saskatchewan on Sunday, 12th May.