Arthur James Underwood
Joined the RAF straight from school in 1937. He would have been 16 years old.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Son of Charles Henry and Jessie Underwood of Sundene Nottingham Road, Mansfield.
Sibling: Charles Reginald born ib 1914.
Baptised at St Peter's Mansfield, on 3rd August 1921. At the time his family where living at
39 Harrington Street, Mansfield.
Charles snr was a bus/tram inspector and in 1939 was a volunteer with the National Defence Force.
IBCC: Bristol Blenheim IV serial No R3775
Wireless Operator/ Air Gunner.
Took off from Wattisham, Suffolk, on a multi target raid on enemy airfields in occupied Western Europe. Targets included Schipol, Yepenburg, Waalhaven, Haamstede, Caen, Cherbourg, Gurnesey, Dinard and Brest. Arthur's target was St Inglevert, Pas De Calais. Taken over by the Germans in June 1940 it was manned by Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters.
They took off at 06:05 hrs and his plane was the only one not to return. Arthur and the rest of the crew, Pilot Officer A R Sparrow and Sgt L C Crook, were buried in a collective grave at Pihen-Les-Guines.
Mansfield Chronicle Advertiser: 17/8/1944: Roll of Honour
Underwood: Killed in action during the Battle of Britain, Sgt Arthur Underwood W.O/A.G Bomber Command. Youngest son of Sgt/Major Underwood Permanent Staff Instructor and Mrs Underwood Sundene Bungalow, Mansfield.
Proud memories and loving thoughts to-day and everyday. Mother & Father Brother Roy (RAF India)
No photos