William Hugh (Roger) Coverley

Coverley began his training in the RAF on 12th October 1936. He was commissioned in December 1936 and was called to full-time service at the outbreak of war. He joined 3 Air Observer School at Aldergrove from the Reserve on 3rd September 1939. He was posted away on 27th November to 602 Squadron at Drem. On 13th January 1940 Coverley damaged a He111 over the Firth of Forth.

Spitfire I N3198

602 Sqdn's ORB (TNA Air 27/2074/17) provides a dramatic account of events surrounding Coverley's death on September 7th 1940. 'Squadron ordered to patrol Mayfield,' it begins,'and at 20,000ft to intercept raiders attacking London and at 18,000 ft sighted 28 Do 17s escorted by 100 Me 109s. The Do17s were attacked. After breaking away, the CO ( Squadron Leader 'Sandy' Johnstone) flew to STAINES where from 5,000 ft he saw ten waves of enemy bombers four of which he attacked. P/O Coverley and P/O Moody went missing after this action. 4 Spitfires were lost. Enemy casualties were 1 Me 110, 1 Me 109, 1 Do17 destroyed. 2 Me 109s possible and I Ju 88 and 1 JU 88, 2 Do17s and 1 He 111 damaged.'

Doubt remains as to how Coverley met his death. Officially, he baled out, badly burned, over Biggin Hill, died of his wounds and was found nine days later hanging from a tree. However, some local eye witnesses suggest Coverley was unable to open the cockpit and crashed inside the blazing aircraft.

On September 7th 1940, Fighter Command lost 26 aircraft from 16 squadrons - 41, 43, 54, 66, 72, 73, 111, 234, 242, 249, 257, 303, 310, 504, 602 & 603.

13 airmen from Fighter Command were killed that day, 8 wounded and 5 declared 'safe'.

Source: Norman L Franks, Royal Air Force Fighter Command Losses of the Second World War Vol 1 (Midland Publishing Ltd: 1997) p.p. 77-78