Hi Everyone,

Just had a post on the Stirling Aircraft Society Forum, http://stirlingaircraftsoc.raf38group.org/   and wanted to ask if any members had any further details and or photos / contacts?

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All,

I have done alot of research on my Grandad Leslie Ernest John Davenport. He volunteered for the RAF and was posted with 7 Squadron WW2. At the start of the war he was in training and flew in Wellington's then he was with 7 squadron at Oakington in Cambridge.
I am aware that he flew 13 missions before he was shot down on Sept 7th 1941 over Recklinghausen Germany, after a bombing raid to Berlin.
He flew with some men I will list below:

This was his regular crew:

F/O D.T Witt
Sgt. Boulton
P/O D.K Deyell
Sgt. Burrows
P/O Mills
Sgt Prentice

This is the crew he was shot down with: 7th September 1941. All were POWs.

F/sgt A Yardley
F/O C.M Hall
Sgt. J.H Boulton
Sgt J. Sutton
Sgt A. Speakman
Sgt D. Owens

I have been to the records office at Kew and found all about the raids he was on I know he was based at Bourn and Oakington with 7 Squadron saw active service with his 13 missions that I am aware off between february 1941 - September 1941. I am aware of the camps he was in.

I am interested whether anyone has photo's of squadron 7 (Aircrew and planes) or knows if any of the above airmen are still alive and how I could trace them?

I am aware that Dennis Witt went on to fly over 100 sorties and be awarded the DFC, DFM. Is he still alive??

My grandad was a navigator and front gunner. He went on raids such as Cologne, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Bethune (France), La Pallice (France), Borkum Seaplane base, hannover, Keil, Duisburg, Huls.

I am aware of the many books which some are in my posession but I would love to know whether any of these veterans are still about.

Look forward to any info that comes up.

Ian Davenport

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Regards,
John

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