Cecil Malcolm Baldry
He was an apprentice hairdresser in 1939.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
He was the son of Robert Baldry. In 1939, they lived at Oakham.
RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 224.
Baldry was the Fight Engineer abaord Halifax III LW468 which took off 1950 21 Jan 1944 from Burn to attack Magdeburg on a diversionary operation for the main target - Berlin. According to 578 Sqdn's ORB (TNA Air27/2050) they had attacked the taregt at 2253 from 21,500' with 1/200lb HC, 2x500lb clusters, 32x30lb & 630x 4lb incendiaries.
Crossing the enemy coast homebound, the captain reported an intensification of flak and searchlight actvity but did not mention any hits on his aircraft.
Halifax III LW468 was ditched 50 miles off Flamborough Head when it became apparent that enemy gunfire had caused leaks to the aircraft's fuel system which made it impossible to reach base. According to 578 Sdn's ORB, like Baldry, Albert Thomas Lester (Rear Gunner) was lost to the sea. William Henry George Williams (Air Gunner) died in the dinghy.
It is presumed that Sergeants Melville, Mansfield, Godfrey and Chapps survived the ditching to fight another day.
Unknown
No photos