RAYMOND ARTHUR BAILEY

IPSWICH WAR MEMORIAL | Posted on 4th September 2016 |

Image from the Evening Star 16th March 1942

Born: 5th March 1917, Ipswich.

Died: 4th July 1941; age: 24. Killed during a daylight raid over Germany.

Residence: Pond Farm, The Green, Barham, Suffolk.

Rank: Flight Lieutenant/Observer; Service Number: 44598

Regiment: Royal Air Force, 107 Squadron. Blenheim bomber

Medals Awarded: Distinguished Flying Cross with effect from the 26th June 1941. London Gazette, 13th March 1942 – “For carrying out a difficult reconnaissance operation in the face of enemy fighter opposition.”

Body first interred at Bremen-Walle Cemetery, exhumed and re-interred 20^th March 1947.

Grave Reference:

Coll. Grave 26.E. 6-8.

Becklingen War Cemetery,

Liedersachsen,

Germany.

Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Herbert Johnson Bailey & Florence Jane Bailey, of Belstead, Suffolk.

Father: Herbert Johnson Bailey, born Valentine’s Day, 1889, Ipswich. A Farmer and Pig Breeder.

Mother: Florence Jane Bailey (nee Mallett), born July 1886, Ipswich.

Raymond was educated at Ipswich School – entered 1927 – left 1934.

Raymond was a member of the 15th Ipswich (Ipswich School) Scouts.

Raymond is also remembered on the Chapel war memorial at Ipswich School.

4th July 1941

Aircraft: Bristol Blenheim IV; Serial Number: V6020; Code: OM:W; Based at R.A.F. Great Massingham, Norfolk; Target: Bremen, one of the most heavily defended towns in Germany. The aircraft took-off at 05:10hrs, on a daylight raid without the benefit of clouds for concealment. The aircraft encounted heavy flak and was brought down at Blockland, north of Bremen-Gröpelingen, Germany. Claimed by the Luftwaffe 8th (Motorised) Flak Division.

Crew:

Lawrence Victor Elliott Petley; Wing Commander/Pilot; age 26; R.A.F.

Wilfred Marshall Harris; Flight Sergeant/Wireless Operator/Air Gunner; age 21; R.A.F.