208975 PO Geoffrey Robert Butcher Royal Air Force 68 Squadron from:Beveley, Shropshire (d.18th May 1941) My Great-Uncle, Geoff Butcher, was a Pilot Officer with 68 Squadron during WW2.
Before the war he won a scholarship to Brasenose College, Oxford; after the outbreak of war he was transferred to Christ Church, Oxford. In July 1940 he volunteered for the RAF, a year before finishing his studies.
After training he became a Sergeant Pilot, and at the beginning of 1941 he got his commission as a Pilot Officer.
The squadron was based at Catterick during training as a night-fighter squadron. The 1st CO was Spn Ldr DL Clackson, but later replaced by Wg. Cdr Max Aitken, DFC.
In April 1941, 68 squadron was made operational and moved to High Ercall Airfield, Staffs. The first casualties occured when Geoff and Sgt. Irwin Harold Wiskar (Czech) were killed on the night of the 17/18 May 1941. They were engaged in local night flying practice in their Bristol Blenheim L8675 when the aircraft stalled at low altitude.
Six of their squadron brothers acted as pall-bearers at their funeral.
Geoff is buried at Wombridge Church Yard.
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