10 July 1940 – 253 Squadron, Kirton-in-Lindsey – Hawker Hurricane I – P3359 – Sgt Ian C C Clenshaw – Patrol
Approximate location – Irby upon Humber, North East Lincs.
Hawker Hurricane I
Ian Charles Cooper Clenshaw was born in Essex in 1918.
He joined the RAFVR February 1939 and trained as a pilot at 34 Elementary & Reserve Flying Training School. In June 1940 he was serving with 253 Squadron at Kirton-in-Lindsey.
Following the Battle of France this Squadron was disbanded and immediately reformed at Kirton-in-Lindsey, Lincolsnhire. 253 Squadron fought with distinction in the Battle of Britain and was later transferred to North Africa where is fought with distinction before being transferred to Italy and disbanded in 1947.
On 10th July he was on a dawn patrol in poor weather and lost control of his Hurricane, P3359, and was killed when the aircraft came down near Irby upon Humber approx 5 miles west of Grimsby.
Clenshaw was 22 and the first RAF casualty of the Battle of Britain.
Sgt Ian Charles Cooper Clenshaw RAFVR – Pilot – 22 - 253 Sqn - St Mary’s Churchyard Extension, Kelvedon, Essex.
There are photos of Sgt Clenshaw on the Battle of Britain London monument site here
Compiled by David Fell. Photo from my archive.
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