John Coverdale MiD RAF – OC 103 Squadron – 1938/39
John Coverdale ( pictured above ) was born about 1906 and was OC 103 Squadron for a short period from August 1938 to January 1939.
He enlisted in 1928 and in May he was posted to RAF Uxbridge on a short service commission. From 31st may 1928 he was posed to 36 Squadron at RAF Bircham Newton and in 1930 was promoted to Flying Officer.. In 1932 was posted to the Middle East – No 4 Flying Training School Abu Sueir Egypt. At this time he was granted a permanent commission to Flying Officer
In May 1934 he was posted to 14 (B) Squadron at Amman, Palestine flying Vickers Wellesley's On the 11th August 1934 he was promoted to Flight Lieutenant. In January he attended the Air Observer School at North Coates Fitties, North East Lincolnshire which I know well. It became RAF North Coates and is now the civil North Coates airfield with a thriving Flying Club.
He was promoted Squadron Leader in 1938 and became OC 103 Squadron at Usworth, County Durham
On the 6th Aug 38, on return from a low level bombing exercise, John’s Fairey Battle aircraft was in collision with another Battle flown by Arthur Vipan. Both aircraft landed safely nearby but Sgt Williams, the observer in John’s crew, was killed.
His aircraft was very seriously damaged and it is quite amazing it held together and he was able to get it down in one piece. I believe the reason for the collision was air turbulence from a nearby power station.
The Squadron moved to RAF Abingdon and RAF Benson and then to Challerange where he led the first reconnaissance patrol over the Franco German border.
1st December 1939 he left 103 Squadron and was promoted Wing Commander. In 1941 he was Mentioned in Dispaches
In December 1942 Coverdale became OC 431 Sqn and was killed 21/22 June 1943 in a raid on Krefeld. He has no known grave.
Wing Commander John Coverdale MiD RAF – Pilot – 37 – 431 Squadron – Son of John and Muriel Coverdale and husband of Margaret Ailsa Coverdale ( Nee Crawford ) of St Andrews Fife – Runnymede Memorial
Compiled by David Fell with photos from my archive.
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