Cyril George Ayres
Attended High Oakham School and played both cricket and football for the school.
He trained to be an engineer at Leicester Training College before becoming a draughtsamn at a local firm.
He was also a member of St Lawrence's scout troop and sang in the church's choir. He had been a member of the A.T. C before enlisting.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Son of Frederick William and Mary Annie Ayres of 20 Skerry Hill, Mansfield
Older brother, Eric was born in 1921. Eric also served with the RAF has a warrent officer.
IBCC: Handley Page Halifax II
Flight Engineer.
Flew from Wombleton, Yorks. Crashed at Blackley on the northern outskirts of Manchester due to double engine failure. 4 crew members survived.
They were on a night-time training exercise when the inner starboard engine failed, about two and a half hours later the outer starboard enging also failed and they crashed landed. 3 of the crew bailed out but 3 including Cyril died.
Mansfield Chronicle Advertiser: 12/10/1940: Killed in Flying Accident.
Many friends will regret to learn of the death in a flying accident of Flying Officer Cyril George Ayres aged 19 son of Mr & Mrs F W Ayres of 20 Skerry Hill, Mansfield. He stuck to his post in his plane until the last to avoid it crashing into a village. Before joining the RAF he was a draughtsman at a local factory and he received his engineering training at Leicester Training College. He was educated at High Oakham School and played for the school's cricket and football teams. He was prominent member of the St Lawrence's Boy Scout & Cubs and was in the Church Choir. His brother, Eric, is a warrent officer in the RAF in India.
The funeral took place on Tesday, a service being held in St Lawrence's Church at which Rev. T A Rockley said "he lost his life for others".
3 pilot officers and Flt Engineer Dout from his station were present at the funeral and the Mansfield A.T.C. of which he was a member.
Flt Engineer Ayres had been recommended for a commission and was on his last flight before going for his commission.
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