207882 W/O John Raymond Hill Royal Air Force 431 Sqd. from:Aldenham, Herts John Raymond Hill, known always as Ray, joined up at the start of the War even though he was Reserved Occupation as a farmer. He tried to join the Royal Navy but was rejected due to his occupation. The R.A.F. did not seem to mind as much. After Initial training he chose aircrew and trained as a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner. He was posted to the R.C.A.F. in 431 Iroquois Sqdn he was gathered together by Pilot Ben Jackson to form a Wellington crew along with Canadians Jack Begg, Les Cragg and George Beattie. They went on to fly 24 Operations on "Wimpeys" and a further 3 in Halifax bombers. Targets were mainly mine laying in the early days and then the Rhur. The Pilot, Ban Jackson, was awarded a well deserved D.F.C. for his completion of the tour and then both he and my father, Ray Hill, went on to serve at O.T.U's for the duration of the war.
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