VICTOR EDWARD RICHARD RAPHAEL

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: 20th March 1917, Herne Hill, South London.

Baptised: 10th June 1917, at St. Philip the Apostle, South Tottenham, Haringey. Parents: Norah Leslie Raphael & Ethelbert Victor Raphael, a Draper, of 15, Oakbank Grove, Herne Hill, South London.

Died: 25th July 1943; age: 26; aircraft lost on an operational sortie to Hamburg, Germany.

Residence: 348, Nacton Road, Ipswich.

Rank: Sergeant; Service Number: 656896.

Regiment: Royal Air Force, 103 Squadron.

Memorial Reference:

Panel 162.

Runnymede Memorial,

Englefield Green,

Surrey.

Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Ethelbert Victor & Norah Leslie Raphael, of Ipswich.

Father: Ethelbert Victor Raphael, born  March 1893, Ipswich. A Master Draper.

Mother: Norah Leslie Raphael (nee Crow), born January 1887, Edmonton, Middlesex.

CENSUS

1921   15, Oakbank Grove, Herne Hill, London.

Victor was 4 years & 4 months old and lived with his parents.

Ethelbert Raphael. 28 years & 4 months old, a Draper’s Buyer for Collier’s Bros., Drapers, of 62 – 63-64, Upper Street, Islington.

Norah Raphael, 34 years & 5 months old, Home Duties.

On the 14th March 1942, 24 year old Victor was a Lance Corporal; he sailed on the U.S.S. ‘George W. Elliott’ from Greenock, Scotland. Arriving in New York on the 25th March 1942. Victor could read & write.

Probate to Ethelbert Victor Raphael – father, a Draper.

25th July 1943

Aircraft: Avro Lancaster Mk.III; serial number: JA866; code: PM-E. The aircraft took off from R.A.F. Elsham Wolds, Barnetby, Lincolnshire on Saturday, 24th July 1943, on an operational sortie to Hamburg, Germany. Nothing more was heard from JA866, and no message of distress was received. It is thought that the aircraft was shot down by a German night fighter. All the crew were lost.

Crew:

Robert Arthur Moore; Captain/Pilot; age 21; R.A.F.V.R.

Leonard Whalen; Sergeant/Flight Engineer; age 29; R.A.F.V.R.

Leonard William Machin; Sergeant/Air Bomber; age 23; R.A.F.V.R.

Stanley George Fletcher; Sergeant/Wireless Operator/Air Gunner; age 23; R.A.F.V.R.

Maurice Albert Lodge; Sergeant/Air Gunner; R.A.F.V.R.

Russell Edward May; Sergeant/Air Gunner; age 22; R.C.A.F.

Victor’s paternal cousin (Ray) Alfred Sydney Raphael D.F.C. also lost his life in the Second World War. Ray was born in November 1916, at Richmond Road, London. He was ranked a Squadron Leader for 467 Squadron, R.A.F.V.R. when he took off at 21:45hrs from R.A.F. Bottesford, Leicestershire as a member of the crew of Lancaster III LM342 on Operation Hydra the first part of Operation Crossbow. Normally a cool, calm man it was noticed that after the briefing Ray was agitated and concerned by the number of aircraft due to take part in the mission. He had a premonition that he would not return. On the 17th/18th August 1943, 500 bombers set off to destroy a research centre at Peenemunde, a municipality on the Baltic Sea island of Usedom, Germany. The German’s were developing the V-missiles which they believed would win the war. Crews were left in little doubt of the importance of the mission and told they would have to go back if the sites were not eliminated. LM342 crashed into a lake whilst approaching the target at Peenemunde. The rear gunner, Adam Brand, fell clear and was washed ashore in Poland 20 miles away.

Ray Raphael’s fellow crew:

Ronald George Carter D.F.C.; Pilot Officer; age 23; R.C.A.F.

Frank Grey; Sergeant; age 20; R.A.F.V.R.

Vivian Smith; Sergeant; age 27; R.A.F.V.R.

Martyn Hope Parry; Flight Lieutenant; age 22; R.A.F.V.R.

Derrick Fieldon; Pilot Officer; age 23; R.A.F.V.R.

Francis Beesley Garrett; Flight Sergeant; age 26; R.A.F.V.R.

Adam Cubie Brand; Sergeant/Rear Air Gunner; age 34; R.A.F.V.R.