Holmes, William Thomas
Personal Information
Rank | Sgt |
Forename(s) | William Thomas |
Surname | Holmes |
Gender | M |
Age | 24 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 31-01-1942 |
Next of Kin | Son of William James Holmes and Alice Mercy Holmes, of Horse Hills, Surrey. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Manchester I |
Serial Number | R5787 |
Markings | QR-Q |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | France |
Burial/Memorial Place | Brest (Kerfautras) Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Plot 40. Row 1. Joint grave 1-2. |
Epitaph | “RATHER DEATHE THAN FALSE OF FAYTHE" motto of Battersea Grammar School |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 50 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 1253462 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 5 |
Squadron | 61 |
Trade | Navigator |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/577/26 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/577/25 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 31-01-1942 |
End Date | 01-02-1942 |
Takeoff Station | Woolfox Lodge |
Day/Night Raid | Night (100% moon) |
Operation | Brest |
Reason for Loss | Caught in searchlights, hit by flak and then clipped a balloon cable, the Manchester eventually ditched near Brest |