John Raymond Collingham
After matriculating, Collingham joined the R.A.F. in 1930 as a boy entrant. Before signing up Ray had shown his leadership ability by being made up to Patrol Leader of the Eagle patrol of the scout troop wearing his twin white breast pocket stripes alongside his green and black shoulder tags with pride.
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Ray was the son of the late Jack Collingham whose widow lived on Newcastle Avenue. Ray attended the Central School on Memorial Avenue.
Identificaton and research by Robert Ilett
SGT. JOHN RAYMOND (RAY) COLLINGHAM.
By 1940 he had been promoted to Sergeant and was serving in 106 Squadron stationed at Finningley (now Robin Hood Airport).
On Friday 24 May 1940 Ray was a member of a crew of three in Hampden Bomber P1336 ZN which took off at 21.28 for Night Flying Practice. After heading South, the plane developed engine trouble in the Coventry area. The pilot Pilot Officer J.M.D. Irvine circled looking for a safe landing area dropping flares to illuminate the ground. The aircraft had the misfortune to strike a barrage balloon cable and crashed with terrific suddenness onto a cricket field.
Local people felt that the field had been selected in a brave attempt to avoid civilian casualties. Very shortly after crashing the machine exploded in a ball of flame removing any chance of rescue for the crew. The incident was timed at 23.10. Ray and his pilot are buried in Coventry (London Road) Cemetery and the other crew member A.C.1 J. H. Gordon is buried in Magul (St. Andrew) Churchyard on Merseyside.
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John Raymond Collingham's headstone.
Courtesy of Robert Ilett