Arthur William Handley

Arthur Handley joined the RAFVR before the war.

He was a wireless operator-air gunner and served with 21 Squadron, Bomber Command, which operated from Watton, Norfolk. The Squadron flew Blenhem IV (V6225) aircraft.

Arthur's aircraft was 'shot down by a flak ship into the sea off the Dutch coast during an anti-shipping strike on a tanker' on 23 July 1941 and he was initially reported missing.

He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, United Kingdom (Panel 44).

CWGC History of Runnymede Memorial: 'The Memorial overlooks the River Thames on Cooper's Hill at Englefield Green between Windsor and Egham ... and commemorates by name over 20,000 men and women of the air forces, who were lost in the Second World War during operations from bases in the United Kingdom and North and Western Europe, and who have no known graves.' (www.cwgc.org)

CWGC Additional information: Son of William and Emma Handley; husband of Martha Annie Handley, of Beeston, Nottinghamshire.

Nottingham Journal, 4 August 1941: ‘Notts Men Missing. Several Now Known To Be Prisoners … Sergt. AW Handley, a wireless operator-air gunner in the RAF., whose home is at 61, Lilac-crescent, Beeston, is reported missing. He joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve before the war and had been on active service since the beginning of this year. Previously he worked at Boots. Sergt. Handley is 30.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)

Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 23 July 1942: ‘Handley. In loving memory of my dear husband, Sergeant Arthur Wlliam, RAF, missing July 23rd, 1941. A daily thought, a silent sorrow. From wife Anne, Beeston, and Mr and Mrs Knight, Sawley.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)