Edward Kimpton Whitechurch

227 Squadron: First operational squadron was formed on 20 August 1942 (Beaufighters); withdrawn from Operations (Malta) in February 1943. Reformed at Idku, Egypt, in 1943.(Beaufighters); withdrawn in July 1944. Reformed Bardney, UK, 7 October 1944 (Lancasters), disbanded September 1945. Duties 1942-1944 Anti-shipping Mediterranean, 1944-1945 Lancaster Squadron, Bomber Command. August-October 1944 Bardney, October 1944-April 1945 Balderton.

Lancaster ME372 (9J-U) left Balderton at 0122 on a night bombing operation to attack an oil refinery in Hamburg, Germany. The last radio transmission received was at 0503 from an area near the Friesan Islands. The aircraft was believed to have ditched in the North Sea, about 40 miles from the coast of Denmark. There were no survivors.

With the exception of Flying Officer Whitechurch, six members of the crew were deemed 'Missing' and are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

Flying Officer Kimpton's body was washed ashore on Vejers Strand beach on 19 June 1945. The body was placed on a horse drawn carriage and taken to the farm of receiver of Wrecks Bloch Vejers where an inspection of the body by a medical officer was performed on 20 June.

Flying Officer Whitechurch was buried in Mosevraa cemetery on 23 June.

CWGC.1083015. Ashworth, Frank Martin. Pilot Officer RNZAF, wireless operator. Age 25.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Martin Ashworth, of Ponsonby, Auckland, New Zealand.
Runnymede Memorial (Panel 285)

CWGC.232069. Debarr, Frederick Henry. Pilot Officer RAFVR, air bomber. Age 29.
Son of John Albert Debarr, and of May Millicent Debarr, of Chelmsford, Essex.
Runnymede Memorial (Panel 285)

CWGC.1802383. Jones, Thomas John. Sergeant RAFVR, air gunner. Age 22.
Son of Walter Price Jones and Mabel Jane Jones, of Hatfield, Herefordshire.
Runnymede Memorial (Panel 275)

CWGC.1803609. O’Marah, Thomas Leslie. Sergeant RAFVR, flight engineer. Age 22.
Son of Joseph Christopher and Cecelia Florence O'Marah, of Bargoed, Glamorgan.
Runnymede Memorial (Panel 276)

CWGC.1531400. White, Graham Howard. Sergeant RAFVR, air gunner. Age 21.
Son of Oliver and Henrietta Caroline White, of Berry Hill, Gloucestershire.
Runnymede Memorial (Panel 277)

CWGC.2271407. Whitechurch, Edward Kimpton. Flying Officer RNZAF, pilot. Age 28.
Son of Edward Robert and Lucy Jane Whitechurch; husband of Myra Whitechurch, of Mission Bay, Auckland, New Zealand.
Mosevra Churchyard, Denmark (Grave 115). Washed ashore Vejers Strand beach 19 June 1945.

CWGC. 1531580. Wilkinson, Edward Wareham, Flight Sergeant RAFVR, navigator. Age 22.
Son of Edward Wareham Wilkinson, and of Mary Wilkinson, of Wythenshawe, Cheshire.
Runnymede Memorial (Panel 273).

CWGC Additional information: Son of Edward Robert and Lucy Jane Whitechurch; husband of Myra Whitechurch, of Mission Bay, Auckland, New Zealand.