Personnel Index - Detail

Name
LYON
First Names
Charles John
Rank
Sgt
Service
RAF
Service Number
974218
Crew Position
Air Gunner
PoW Camp(s)
-
Age
23
Date of Death
21/03/1941
Cemetery

 

Photographed by Malcolm Brooke
 

21/22 March, 1941; LORIENT/MINELAYING:

The squadron prepared 8 aircraft for operations; in the end just 6 took off between 18.23hrs and 22.28hrs. Of these, 2 bombed the submarine pens at Lorient and 2 were successful in dropping mines.
Tragedy was to befall the crew piloted by P/O Robert Wilson (X3054). Returning to England from the French coast, their aircraft struck high ground on Dartmoor killing the 25 year- old pilot and his three fellow crew members.
 

Hampden X3054
P/O R.D. Wilson Pilot (Killed)
Sgt R. Brames W/AG (Killed)
Sgt R.L.A. Ellis 2nd Pilot (Killed)
Sgt C.J. Lyon A/G (Killed)

A stone on Hameldown Tor, Dartmoor, marks the crash site.




From Pete Harvey, Group Scout Leader, 1st Lustleigh Scout Group, Dartmoor:
There was a memorial service to the crew of X3054 on Hameldown ,Dartmoor This happened on the anniversary of the crash . We layed a wreath at the base of the memorial stone and had a short service.

The 49Squadron Association wishes to express its thanks to the Scout Group and Leader.