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F/O Arthur John Matthews
Royal Air Force 76 Squadron
from:Bath
My late father, Arthur John Matthews, known as Johnnie, served in the RAF as a Rear Gunner during WW2. He was based somewhere in Yorkshire and flew with the following crew in a Halifax Q named "Queenie" of the 76 Squadron:
The picture enclosed of the Halifax plane was taken 25th April 1945 on their way to bomb Wangerooge in Germany, Coastal defence batteries.
- Wing/Cdr Whyte (Chick)
- Navigator P/O Wilkinson (Wilky)
- Bomb Aimer F/Lt Simpson (Eddy)
- Flight Engineer P/O Hughes (Sid)
- Wireless Operator F/Sgt Allen (Bert)
- Mid Upper Gunman F/O Souster (Harry)
- Rear Gunner F/O Matthews (Johnnie)
The Air Gunners training group is pictured with reference to Squad 4, No.122 Course d.d. 18th Oct 1943.
My Dad did not tell war stories at all, but he did mention once that his squadron went out without him, due to his being sick with flu, and they were shot down by enemy fire. He was obviously devastated and never got over being the only survivor under such chance circumstances. I also had film taken from the rear gunner's position during a live fight, but unfortunately it was destroyed.
If anyone has information on this squadron or specifically about my Dad, I would be very interested to hear more.