Squadron Personnel: Summary Information

Overview

There follows below lists of the officers and men who served in 550 Squadron. The information used to build this page was taken in the first instance from the lists provided on the original Squadron Association web-site, but have been augmented by new and additional information gathered since that time.

This information is not yet complete: it has been build from the Roll of Honour, Decorations and Senior Officer lists, and then by working through other available records. So please don't shout just yet if you spot an omission - work continues to build a more complete, and accurate, list.
Do however shout if you spot an error! Please email any corrections or information to the contact details in the link at the bottom of the page.

Serviceman Details: The column headers should be fairly self-explanatory. The final column (Web links) contains, where given, links to other items on this web-site or indeed to external sources where further information or photographs, etc can be found.

Aircraft: When a link to a particular aircraft is given, this only indicates aircraft it is known the crewman was associated with (such as when flight logs are available or the aircraft has failed to return from an operation). It does not exclude the fact that the crewman may well have flown on other aircraft too, that is either just not documented in the currently available records or simply not known to the author. The aircraft links will take you to the operations listed for that aircraft.

Note that the vast bulk of the information available about squadron servicemen presented below concerns air-crew; almost no information is available about the men, and women, of the technical and other ground crews who played their part in making the squadron an effective fighting unit. This is a shame, given the key role they played in keeping the aircraft in the air and the men flying them able to do their job. So if you have ground-crew information do please send it in so that it too can be included in the squadron record.

Definitions of the abbreviations used are available: here.


Serviceman Details Aircraft
Rank Initials
(First Name)
Last Name Decorations Service Service No. Role Flight Other Information Links FTR? Date Service Number
F/O W
(Walter)
Boocock RNZAF NZ.422251 P - Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 1 L.F.S. Hemswell on 16.4.44
Posted to W.C.A.D on 13.7.44 on being reported missing.
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FOWBoocock/index.php
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FOMLDubois/index.php
KIA 12/13 July 1944 LL796
F/O R R
(Robert Ranui)
Bradshaw RNZAF 4215727 A/B - Posted to 550 Sqdn from 11 base w.e.f. 8.9.44
Son of Albert and Daisy Bradshaw, of Haumoana, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
Killed in an aircraft crash during training on the 5th October 1944
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FOSHHayter/index.php
/pages/550-sqdn-ellingstring-memorial.php
http://www.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk/aircraft/planes/dales/nf963.html
KIA 4 Oct. 1944 NF963
F/L J F
(James Fraser)
Craig DFC RNZAF NZ.402168 P - - /documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FlLtJFCraig/index.php
KIA 15/16 Mar. 1944 LL852
F/O G E
Dunkley RNZAF NZ.429097 A/B - Posted to 550 Sqdn from 1662 CU w.e.f. 31.3.45
Posted from 550 Sqdn to No. 207 Sqdn w.e.f. 8.8.1945
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FORMHarris/index.php
- - PB707
F/O M C
(Morris Charles)
Eckhold RNZAF NZ.392026 Nav - Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 1 L.F.S. Hemswell on 16.4.44
Posted to W.C.A.D on 13.7.44 on being reported missing.
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FOWBoocock/index.php
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FOMLDubois/index.php
KIA 12/13 July 1944 LL796
F/L E G
(Edward Greer)
Fleming RNZAF NZ.415305 P - Posted from 1656 CU w.e.f 22/03/45.
First live op as 2nd pilot to S/Ldr Newitt, NG134 (4 April 45)
Posted to No.12 PDRC w.e.f. 18.9.45
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FlLtEGFleming/index.php
- - NG134
PB707
F/Sgt C G
(Charles Grierson)
Foster RNZAF NZ.416105 P - Posted to 550 Sqdn on squadron start-up from 100 Sqdn "C" Flight
It is understood that Charles' brother, Athol, also in the RNZAF, was killed in 1941 on operations.
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FSgtCGFoster/index.php
KIA 30/31 Mar 1944 ED536
LM321
ND425
S/L A P
(Arthur Percy)
Gainsford AFC
DFC
RNZAF NZ402863 P C Flight Commander C Flight: 09 Sep 44 - 07 Nov 44
Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 11 Base w.e.f 14.09.44
Posted from 550 Sqdn to 150 Sqdn on 7th November 1944
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/SqdnLeaderAPGainsford/index.php
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FlLtMFAMaltin/index.php
- - LL831
NF931
NG120
NG134
NG135
F/O D A
(David Allan)
Goulden RNZAF NZ.421968 W/Op - Posted to 550 Sqdn from RAF Feltwell w.e.f 3.3.44 /documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FOEVSage/index.php
KIA 9/10 May 1944 JA918
LL831
LM455
W/O J
(John "Lofty")
Groves RNZAF NZ.414613 P - Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 1668 C.U. w.e.f. 16.10.44
First live op as 2nd pilot to F/O I A Stevenson (NG132, 19th Oct 44)
Posted from 550 Sqdn to 150 Sqdn w.e.f. 7th Nov 1944
See also BBC article from Feb. 2004
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/WOJGroves/index.php
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FOIAStevenson/index.php
https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/71/a2280971.shtml
- - LM228
NG132
NG135
NG243
P/O R M
Harris RNZAF NZ.4212665 P - Posted to 550 Sqdn from 1662 CU w.e.f. 31.3.45
Posted from 550 Sqdn to No. 207 Sqdn w.e.f. 8.8.1945
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FORMHarris/index.php
- - PB707
F/Sgt E W O
Hunt RNZAF NZ.421057 A/B - Posted to 550 Sqdn on squadron start-up from 100 Sqdn "C" Flight w.e.f 25.11.43 with the Hoddle crew. However, he never flew any ops with the crew. - - - -
F/Sgt D
Laurie RNZAF NZ.4212680 R/AG - Posted to 550 Sqdn from 1662 CU w.e.f. 31.3.45
Posted from 550 Sqdn to No. 207 Sqdn w.e.f. 8.8.1945
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FORMHarris/index.php
- - PB707
P/O A C
(Alfred Churchill)
Lockyer RNZAF NZ.428130 P - Posted to 550 Sqdn from 1654 CU w.e.f 13/03/45

Born Belfast, Northern Ireland 2 Oct 1921. Moved to NZ ca. 1930. Shipping and customs clerk WD and HO Wills Ltd. Joined up 11 Jul 1942
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FOACLockyer/index.php
http://www.rafcommands.com/database/serials/details.php?uniq=NG132
https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C28679
https://aircrewremembered.com/AlliedLossesIncidents/?q=NG132
KIA 17 Mar 1945 NG132
F/O A W L
(Aubrey)
Lohrey RNZAF NZ.426051 P - Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 1 L.F.S. w.e.f 24.11.44
First live op as 2nd pilot to F/O G W Bell PD221, 4 Dec 1944
Posted to 550 Sqdn from W.C.A.D 8.3.45
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FOAWLLohrey/index.php
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FOGWBell/index.php
/pages/550-sqdn-fleville-memorial.php
https://aircrewremembered.com/AlliedLossesIncidents/?q=RA502
Surv. 1/2 Feb 1945 NG363
PB843
PD221
PD313
RA502
RF136
F/Sgt J H
Marsh RNZAF NZ.4216736 Nav - Posted to 550 Sqdn from 103 Sqdn w.e.f. 14.3.45 /documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FlLtWaite/index.php
- - ME542
NG243
PA309
PD382
RA503
F/L A D
(Alexander Donovan)
McConnell DFC RNZAF 39061 A/B - Senior Bombing Officer: 25 Nov 43 - 16 Jun 44 (Missing) /documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FSgtAHJefferies/index.php
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FOJORichard/index.php
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FlLtAJGrain/index.php
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/POWJBibby/index.php
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FOEVSage/index.php
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/PONSRogers/index.php
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/WOTALloyd/index.php
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FODFNeilson/index.php
http://www.flickr.com/photos/550squadron/3008785975/
KIA 16/17 June 1944 JA918
LL747
LL748
LL826
LL831
LL837
LL850
LM134
LM425
F/O K L
(Knut Leslie)
Pedersen RNZAF NZ.428147 A/B - Posted to 550 Sqdn from 1656 CU w.e.f. 19/03/45
Posted to A.M. Unit w.e.f. 27.8.1945
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FOVGRoberts/index.php
- - LM228
NG120
NG134
F/O V G
Roberts RNZAF NZ.415365 P - Posted to 550 Sqdn from 1656 CU w.e.f. 19/03/45
First live op. as 2nd pilot to F/O Mearns (ME776, 4 Apr 45)
Posted to No. 207 Squadron w.e.f. 8.8.1945
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FOVGRoberts/index.php
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/POGMearns/index.php
- - LM228
ME776
NG120
NG134
F/O E V
(Ernest Vernon)
Sage RNZAF 415369 P - Posted to 550 Sqdn from RAF Feltwell w.e.f 3.3.44
First live op as 2nd pilot to F/O Richard, LL747, 15/16 March 1944
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FOEVSage/index.php
KIA 9/10 May 1944 JA918
LL747
LL831
LM455
F/Sgt
Secker RNZAF NZ.4215958 W/Op - Posted to 550 Sqdn from 1667 CU w.e.f. 30.6.1945 - - - -
P/O P C
(Peter Charles)
Siddall RNZAF NZ421538 P - Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 1 L.F.S wef 12.8.44
Flew first live op as 2nd pilot with F/O Hussey, LL748, 25 Aug 1944
Was 2nd pilot to W/Cmdr Sisley (Commanding Officer) when all were lost, NF962, 31 Aug 1944
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/POPCSiddall/index.php
KIA 31 Aug 1944 LL748
NF962
F/O R F
(Russell Francis)
Wallace RNZAF 427351 P - Posted to 550 Sqdn from 71 Base w.e.f 28.2.45
First live op as 2nd pilot to F/O Blacker (5 Mar 1945, PA995).

In the 550 ORB is recorded as P/O Wallace. However, on the CWGC site listed as F/O Wallace
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FORFWallace/index.php
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FOGEBlackler/index.php
KIA 15/16 Mar 1945 NG287
PA995
F/Sgt S E
Whyte RNZAF 4213815 Nav - Posted to 550 Sqdn from 71 Base w.e.f. 28.2.45 /documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/POJSPercival/index.php
- - LM228
ME301
NG120
NG134
NG243
PA268
PA268/F2
PB514
PB707
RA503
F/Sgt A S
Wiltshire RNZAF NZ.4213813 Nav B Posted to 550 Sqdn from 1667 HCU w.e.f. 15.3.45 /documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FOACBothe/index.php
- - ME548
NG135
NG246
PB514
RF135

The details were last updated: 13 April 2024


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