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This data is related to World War 2
Sergeant

Robert Arthur Stansfield

Service number 1055943
Military unit 408 (RCAF) Sqdn Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Address 55 Bent Lane, Leyland, Lancashire, England.
Date of birth 31 May 1914
Date of death 21 Oct 1941 (27 years old)
Place of birth Unknown
Employment, education or hobbies

Baker & Confectioners Van Driver & Salesman.

Family history

Son of Frederick and Clara Stansfield; husband of Jean Sunsfield, of Leyland.

Military history

20/21 October 1941 Hampden P1212 408 Sqn. Take off 18.14 from RAF Syerston to bomb Bremen. P1212 crashed on return at Haltham near Horncastle at 00.45, starboard engine failed due to fuel starvation and the aircraft stalled attempting to land at RAF Coningsby, killing all but one of the crew.

Sgt Desmond Bradley RNZAF
Sgt Alexander McMillan RCAF - His brother Osman KIA 25/9/1944 when Spitfire HN151 was shot down over Holland by a Fw190
Sgt Robert Stansfield - all killed

Sgt Evan Lionel Coles - Injured, burns and a broken neck along with severe concussion. Dragged from the wreckage by Air Raid Warden's Ernest Basley and Herbert Whaler, who administered first aid before moving him to a nearby cottage. An ambulance arrived and he was taken to RAF Coningsby SSQ and then onto RAF Hospital Rauceby. Returned to active service after 9 months, joining 61 Sqn at RAF Syerston. Later Pilot Officer Coles awarded the DFC 17/8/1943. Died in Somerset 2012 aged 90.

Extra information

Unknown

Photographs