David John Lees

He joined the RAF straight from school.
Old Elizabethans Service Roll: At the outbreak of war he was engaged in ferrying Blenheims to Eygpt and was later posted to Coastal Command as an instructor to Austalian crews flying Sunderlands over the Atlantic. A notable feature was his photographic reconnaissance of Bokum and Sylt after bombing raids. He had taken 74 photographs.
Sgt Obs David John Lees was killed in action while attempting to stem the German advance through Flanders on May 1940. The Germans were over the Meuse and pouring through a wide gap on the right of the 1st French Army which lay on the British right. All available aircraft was called up from England. 12 Blenheims were sent to attack tanks and troops near Gembloux. 10 were shot down, 1was destroyed by fire from the ground and 1 managed to return to base.
Sgt Lees did not returned and nothing has been heard of him since.
IBCC: Bristol Blenheim IV serial P4904. Took off from Watton to disrupt German forces at Gambloux Gap. Hs aicraft exploded mid air after a fighter attack and crashed between Merval and Lappion. The pilot was blown clear and made it back to allied lines.

David was buried at Lappion Churchyard , Aisne his is the only military burial in the graveyard. The other member of the crew, Kenneth Reed was buried at Merval.