JOHN ALISTAIR STEWART

Born: 1923, Ipswich.

Died: 30th May 1943; age: 20; killed when aircraft crashed in the vicinity of Monchengladbach.

Residence: ‘Hazeldene’ Heath Road, Ipswich.

Rank: Sergeant/Rear Gunner; Service Number: 1391507.

Regiment: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 102 Squadron.

Re-buried along with the rest of the crew, side by side on the 6th August 1946.

Grave Reference:

2.G.25.

Rheinberg War Cemetery,

Germany.

Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Hazel Ivy Stewart & step son of Sidney Walter Webb, of Ipswich.

Father: Alistair McCauley Stewart, born 1901, Ipswich – died 1925, Ipswich.

Mother: Hazel Ivy Webb (nee Bassingthwaighte (1st marriage Stewart)), born September 1904, Norwich, Norfolk.

Stepfather: Sidney Walter R. Webb, born  November 1895, Ipswich.

ENGLAND & WALES REGISTER 1939.

John was living with his mother and stepfather at their family home – ‘Hazeldene’ Heath Road, Ipswich.

Sidney Webb, Butchery Branch Manager.

Hazel Webb, unpaid Domestic Duties.

1 other.

John is also remembered on the war memorial at Rushmere St. Andrew, Suffolk.

29th/30th May 1943

Aircraft – Halifax II W7934 Dy-J took off 29th May 1943, at 22.58 frpm R.A.F. Pocklington, East Yorkshire, as part of a total force of 719 heavy bombers. Operation: Wuppertal. Crashed in the vicinity of Monchengladbach. The bodies of the crew were recovered on the 31st May 1943 and interred locally. After the war they were re-interred at Rheinburg War Cemetery side by side.

Crew:

Sergeant/Pilot; Ronald Aslin Ward; age 21; R.A.F.V.R.

Navigator/Flying Officer; Reginald Edward Charles Allen; age 23; R.A.F.V.R.

Flight Engineer/Sergeant; Robert Leslie Hoddle; age 22; R.A.F.V.R.

Bomb Aimer/Sergeant; Philip Hudd Sheerman; age 21; R.A.F.V.R.

Wireless Operator/Sergeant; John Martland; age 23; R.A.F.V.R.

Mid-Upper Gunner/Sergeant; Peter Smith; age 21; R.A.F.V.R.