Royde, George Reicher
Personal Information
Rank | F/O |
Forename(s) | George Reicher |
Surname | Royde |
Gender | M |
Age | 32 |
Decorations | DFC |
Date of Death | 14-05-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of Henry and Clara Reicher, of Bayswater, London. Husband of Wendy Royde. Ll.B. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Short Stirling III |
Serial Number | BF479 |
Markings | OJ-E |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Belgium |
Burial/Memorial Place | Schoonselhof Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Coll. grave II. G. 6-9. |
Epitaph | MOURNED BY HIS WIFE WENDY, MISSED BY HIS DAUGHTER PATRICIA, BORN POSTHUMOUSLY |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 236 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 118604 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 3 |
Squadron | 149 (East India) |
Trade | Air Bomber |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | Groneweg, Kasterlee, Antwerpen Province |
Country | Belgium |
Memorial Type | Memorial stone & inscribed metal plaque |
Memorial Text | Dit gedenkteken werd opgericht ter nagedachtenis aan de acht omgekomen bemanningsleden van de Stirling BF479 - 13/14 Mei 1943 |
Location | St. George's Church, Methwold, Norfolk |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Roll of Honour & inscribed window |
Memorial Text | Roll of Honour of 149 Sqn RAF and a window remembering the men and women of all Nations who served at RAF Methwold, 1939-1945 |
Miscellaneous Information
Citation, London Gazette, 12 February 1943: "Distinguished Flying Cross. Flying Officer George Reicher ROYDE (118604), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No 149 Squadron. Pilot Officer Norman Edward SKINNER (118084), Royal Air Foice Volunteer Reserve, No 149 Squadron. Distinguished Flying Medal. 1366018 Flight Sergeant Leslie Anderson HYDER. No 149 Squadron, 971446 Flight Sergeant Douglas CAMERON, No. 149 Squadron, 1130087 Sergeant Harold Wray GOUGH, No 149 Squadron. On 28th November, 1942, these members of an aircraft crew took part in an attack on a target at Turin. Whilst over the target area, their bomber was repeatedly hit by anti-aircraft fire, and sustained much damage. A shell, which burst, in the cockpit, rendered the captain, the late Flight Sergeant Middleton, V C , unconscious and wounded the second pilot, Flight Sergeant Hyder, in the face and legs, Pilot Officer Skinner, the wireless operator, was also wounded in the leg. Despite his injuries, Flight Sergeant Hyder, took over the controls and succeeded in regaining control of the aircraft which had dived from 2,000 to 800 feet. Later the bomb load was released. Shortly afterwards, the captain recovered consciousness but Flight Sergeant Hyder after receiving first aid, insisted on' remaining beside him in case of emergency. On the return flight, when crossing the Alps, Flight Sergeant Cameron and Sergeant Gough greatly assisted the pilot to maintain height by jettisoning all movable equipment. Skilful navigation by Flying Officer Royde enabled the aircraft to be flown back to this country. Shortly after crossing the coast the aircraft had to be abandoned owing to lack of petrol In the face of almost insuperable odds, these members of the aircraft crew displayed courage, fortitude and determination of a high order". |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1003/10 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1003/9 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 13-05-1943 |
End Date | 14-05-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Lakenheath |
Day/Night Raid | Night (65% moon) |
Operation | Bochum. 442 aircraft, 24 losses (5.4%). Decoy markers drew much of the bombing away from the target. Little information available from local sources about the extent of the damage. |
Reason for Loss | Shot down by a night-fighter and crashed at Kasterlee, near Antwerp |