CREW MEMBER PROFILE |
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Surname: |
ALDRIDGE |
First Name/s: |
Arthur James |
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Service No/s: |
1387827 175106 |
Service: |
RAFVR |
Branch: |
Pilot |
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Awards: |
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SERVICE RECORDS |
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Date |
Event |
Aircraft Flown |
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07 Apr 1941 |
Enlisted the Central Recruiting Centre, Euston, London as AC2 |
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08 Apr 1941 |
Placed on the Reserve List. |
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03 Nov 1941 |
No.1 Air Crew Reception Centre, St. John's Wood, London |
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13 Dec 1941 |
No.2 Initial Training Wing, Cambridge |
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07 Feb 1942 |
Completed ITW and promoted to LAC |
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29 Apr 1942 |
No. 51 (Training) Group Pool (location tbn) |
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03 Jun 1942 |
Air Crew Despatch Centre, Heaton Park, Manchester |
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19 Jun 1942 |
Embarked UK (precise date, vessel and port tbc) |
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26 Jun 1942 |
Disembarked Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada (precise date and port tbc). |
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27 Jun 1942 |
No.31 Personnel Depot, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada |
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16 Jul 1942 |
Naval Air Station Grosse Ile, Detroit, Michigan, USA |
PT 13 Stearman |
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01 Aug 1942 |
Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida, USA (precise date tbc) |
Possibly Harvard and Catalina tbc |
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11 Mar 1943 |
Awarded RAF and US Navy Pilot Flying Badges and promoted to Sergeant. |
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13 Mar 1943 |
No.31 Personnel Depot, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada |
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20 Mar 1943 |
No.31 General Reconnaissance School, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada (precise date tbc) |
Anson |
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15 Jun 1943 |
No.1 'Y' Depot, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada (precise date tbc) |
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30 Jun 1943 |
Embarked Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada (precise date and vessel tbc) |
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07 Jul 1943 |
Disembarked UK (precise date and port tbc (probably Liverpool or Glasgow)) |
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08 Jul 1943 |
No.7 Personnel Reception Centre, Harrogate, Yorkshire |
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27 Jul 1943 |
No.6 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit, Little Rissington, Gloucestershire |
Oxford |
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31 Aug 1943 |
No.1525 Beam Approach Training Flight, Docking, Norfolk (course) |
Oxford |
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06 Sep 1943 |
No.6 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit, Little Rissington, Gloucestershire |
Oxford |
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26 Oct 1943 |
No.30 Operational Training Unit, Seighford, Staffs. Aldridge crew formed. |
Wellington |
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11 Mar 1944 |
Promoted to Flight Sergeant |
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17 Apr 1944 |
No.11 Base, Lindholme, Yorkshire (for Heavy Conversion and Lancaster Finishing School) |
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18 Apr 1944 |
No.1667 Heavy Conversion Unit, Sandtoft. (Crew joined by Flight Engineer) |
Halifax |
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26 Apr 1944 |
Discharged on appointment to a temporary commission |
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27 Apr 1944 |
Appointed to commission as Pilot Officer on probation (emergency) (London Gazette 30 May 44, p2481) |
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17 May 1944 |
No.1 Lancaster Finishing School, Hemswell, Lincolnshire |
Lancaster |
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27 May 1944 |
No.576 Squadron, ‘A’ Flight, Elsham Wolds, Lincolnshire |
Lancaster |
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26 Jun 1944 |
Promoted to Acting Flying Officer |
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13 Sep 1944 |
Lost in operations over Frankfurt. |
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576 Squadron FLYING RECORDS |
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Date |
Aircraft |
Code |
Flight Details |
T/O |
Land |
Flt Time |
Crew |
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06 Jun 1944 |
ND859 |
UL-L2 |
VIRE |
2135 |
0240 |
5h05 |
P1 Plt Off K.C.G. Murray |
NOTES: |
Target: Viaduc de Martilly, a road/rail bridge (western Aiming Point of two). Load: 18x 500lb bombs. Flown in support of the Allied invasion of Normandy. |
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07 Jun 1944 |
ND859 |
UL-L2 |
Training |
1700 |
2120 |
4h20 |
P1 Plt Off A.J. Aldridge |
NOTES: |
Cross-country navigation exercise through Scotland |
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10 Jun 1944 |
NE115 |
UL-B2 |
Training |
1525 |
2035 |
5h10 |
P1 Plt Off A.J. Aldridge |
NOTES: |
Cross-country navigation exercise (Isle of Man) |
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12 Jun 1944 |
LM439 |
UL-I2 |
Training |
1520 |
1720 |
2h00 |
P1 Plt Off A.J. Aldridge |
NOTES: |
Air to sea firing and practice bombing. |
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12 Jun 1944 |
JA868 |
UL-J2 |
GELSENKIRCHEN |
nk |
0410 |
5h10m |
P1 Plt Off A.J. Aldridge |
NOTES: |
Target: Gelsenberg AG synthetic oil plant in Nordstern. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 16x 500lb bombs. |
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14 Jun 1944 |
JA868 |
UL-J2 |
LE HAVRE |
nk |
2310 |
2h20m |
P1 Plt Off A.J. Aldridge |
NOTES: |
Target: Docks, E-boat pens and light naval forces which were harassing the Normandy beachheads. Load: 11x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. Returned early due to an engine failure, possibly jettisoning their load at sea. |
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16 Jun 1944 |
JA868 |
UL-J2 |
STERKRADE |
nk |
0415 |
4h50m |
P1 Plt Off A.J. Aldridge |
NOTES: |
Target: Rhur-Chemie AG synthetic oil plant at Holten. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 16x 500lb bombs. |
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17 Jun 1944 |
LM594 |
UL-G2 |
AULNOYE |
nk |
0420 |
4h30m |
P1 Plt Off A.J. Aldridge |
NOTES: |
Target: Road/rail bridge near the marshalling yards at Aulnoye-Aymeries. Load: 18x 500lb bombs. The Master Bomber instructed the crews to bomb the Target Indicators if they were visible through the low cloud, and if not, to return home. Most crews returned with their bombload intact. |
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22 Jun 1944 |
ME854 |
UL-D2 |
MIMOYECQUES |
1410 |
1740 |
3h30m |
P1 Plt Off A.J. Aldridge |
NOTES: |
Target: V3 cannon construction site. Load: 18x 500lb bombs. |
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23 Jun 1944 |
ME854 |
UL-J2 |
SAINTES |
nk |
0610 |
8h00m |
P1 Plt Off A.J. Aldridge |
NOTES: |
Target: Marshalling yards. Load: Either 10x 1000lb, 2x 500lb bombs for H2S-equipped aircraft, or 10x 1000lb, 3x 500lb bombs for all other aircraft. It appears Costigan, the crew's normal mid-upper gunner did not fly this trip as it is not entered in his logbook. It is unknown who took his place. |
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27 Jun 1944 |
ME854 |
UL-D2 |
CHATEAU DE BERNAPRE |
0150 |
0545 |
3h55m |
P1 Fg Off A.J. Aldridge |
NOTES: |
Target: V1 flying bomb launch site. Load: 10x 500lb bombs. |
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29 Jun 1944 |
ME854 |
UL-D2 |
DOMLEGER |
1140 |
1515 |
3h35m |
P1 Fg Off A.J. Aldridge |
NOTES: |
Target: V1 flying bomb storage and supply depot. Load: 11x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. |
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30 Jun 1944 |
ME854 |
UL-D2 |
OISEMONT / NEUVILLE AU BOIS |
0555 |
1005 |
4h10m |
P1 Fg Off A.J. Aldridge |
NOTES: |
Target: V1 flying bomb launch site. Load: 11x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. |
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02 Jul 1944 |
ME854 |
UL-D2 |
DOMLEGER |
1210 |
1620 |
4h10 |
P1 Fg Off A.J. Aldridge |
NOTES: |
Target: V1 flying bomb storage and supply depot. Load 7x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. |
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03 Jul 1944 |
ME854 |
UL-D2 |
Air test |
1130 |
1145 |
0h15 |
P1 Fg Off A.J. Aldridge |
NOTES: |
Air test |
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05 Jul 1944 |
ME854 |
UL-D2 |
DIJON |
nk |
0640 |
9h25 |
P1 Fg Off A.J. Aldridge |
NOTES: |
Target: Marshalling yards. Load: H2S aircraft: 8x 1000lb, 3x 500lb bombs; all other aircraft: 8x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. Diverted to Coningsby on return due to low cloud at Elsham Wolds. |
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05 Jul 1944 |
ME801 |
UL-C2 |
Air Test |
1130 |
1200 |
0h30 |
P1 Fg Off A.J. Aldridge |
NOTES: |
Air test. |
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06 Jul 1944 |
ME854 |
UL-D2 |
Coningsby to Elsham Wolds |
1220 |
1240 |
0h20 |
P1 Fg Off A.J. Aldridge |
NOTES: |
Return from diversion. |
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07 Jul 1944 |
ME854 |
UL-D2 |
CAEN |
nk |
2345 |
4h15 |
P1 Fg Off A.J. Aldridge |
NOTES: |
Target: Enemy armour strongpoint and stores on the Northern outskirts of Caen. Load: 11x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. Flown in support of the Anglo-Canadian ground forces attack on the town (Operation CHARNWOOD) |
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10 Jul 1944 |
ME854 |
UL-D2 |
Training |
1400 |
1630 |
2h30 |
P1 Fg Off A.J. Aldridge |
NOTES: |
'Y' (H2S) cross-country navigation exercise. |
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11 Jul 1944 |
ME854 |
UL-D2 |
Training |
1430 |
1620 |
1h50 |
P1 Fg Off A.J. Aldridge |
NOTES: |
Fighter affiliation, practice bombing and circuits & landings. |
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12 Jul 1944 |
ME854 |
UL-D2 |
REVIGNY |
nk |
0625 |
9h00 |
P1 Fg Off A.J. Aldridge |
NOTES: |
Target: Railway marshalling yards. Load: 7x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. The Deputy Master Bomber instructed all aircraft to return to base with their bombloads ( codeword 'Lysol') as low cloud was obscuring the target. Target marking was conducted by the 1 Group Special Duties Flight based at Binbrook. The crew were diverted to Lindholme due to poor weather at Elsham. |
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13 Jul 1944 |
ME854 |
UL-D2 |
Lindholme to Elsham Wolds |
1345 |
1400 |
0h15 |
P1 Fg Off A.J. Aldridge |
NOTES: |
Return from diversion. |
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20 Jul 1944 |
ME854 |
UL-D2 |
WIZERNES |
1915 |
2255 |
3h40 |
P1 Fg Off A.J. Aldridge |
NOTES: |
Target: Construction site for a V2 rocket site and bunker complex ‘La Coupole’. Load: 11x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. |
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23 Jul 1944 |
ME854 |
UL-D2 |
KIEL |
2220 |
0340 |
5h20 |
P1 Fg Off A.J. Aldridge |
NOTES: |
Target: German Navy base, canal, and harbour. Load: 1x 4000lb ‘cookie’, 8x 500lb bombs, 5x 500lb ‘J’ Type incendiary cluster, or 1x 4000lb ‘cookie’, 16x 500lb bombs |
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01 Aug 1944 |
ME854 |
UL-D2 |
BELLE CROIX LES BRUYERES (BAUDRINGHEM) |
1850 |
2205 |
3h15 |
P1 Fg Off A.J. Aldridge |
NOTES: |
Target: V1 flying bomb launch site. Load: 12x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. The Master Bomber ordered all aircraft to return to base with their bombloads due to cloud cover over the target. |
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04 Aug 1944 |
ME854 |
UL-D2 |
PAUILLAC |
1320 |
2120 |
8h00 |
P1 Fg Off A.J. Aldridge |
NOTES: |
Target: Oil storage depot. Load: 9x 1000lb, 3x 500lb bombs. |
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05 Aug 1944 |
ME854 |
UL-D2 |
BLAYE |
1415 |
2225 |
8h10 |
P1 Fg Off A.J. Aldridge |
NOTES: |
Target: Oil storage depot. Load: 9x 1000lb, 3x 500lb bombs. The attack was given a Mosquito and Spitfire escort. Diverted to Worksop due to poor weather at Elsham. |
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06 Aug 1944 |
ME854 |
UL-D2 |
Worksop to Elsham Wolds |
nk |
nk |
0h20 |
P1 Fg Off A.J. Aldridge |
NOTES: |
Return from diversion. |
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07 Aug 1944 |
ME854 |
UL-D2 |
FONTENAY-LE-MARMION |
2100 |
0115 |
4h15 |
P1 Fg Off A.J. Aldridge |
NOTES: |
Target: Concentration of enemy armour in battle area near Caen. Load: 11x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. Five Squadron aircraft in the final stage of the attack were instructed not to bomb and to return to base with their bombloads as the Aiming Point became obscured by smoke & dust. All other aircraft carried out their attacks. |
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10 Aug 1944 |
ME854 |
UL-D2 |
PARIS (DUGNY) |
0905 |
1410 |
5h05 |
P1 Fg Off A.J. Aldridge |
NOTES: |
Target: Aviation fuel storage depot. Load: 13x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. The attack was given a Spitfire escort. |
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11 Aug 1944 |
ME854 |
UL-D2 |
DOUAI |
1340 |
1745 |
4h05 |
P1 Fg Off A.J. Aldridge |
NOTES: |
Target: Marshalling yards. Load: 13x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. |
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12 Aug 1944 |
ME854 |
UL-D2 |
BORDEAUX |
1120 |
1820 |
7h00 |
P1 Fg Off A.J. Aldridge |
NOTES: |
Target: Oil storage facilities and U-Boat pens. Load: 6x 2000lb bombs. The attack was given a Mosquito and Spitfire escort. |
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14 Aug 1944 |
ME854 |
UL-D2 |
FONTAINE LE PIN |
1315 |
1710 |
3h55 |
P1 Fg Off A.J. Aldridge |
NOTES: |
Target: Enemy positions in the Normandy battle area. Load: 20x 500lb bombs. Flown in support of the 3rd Canadian Division, which was advancing on Falaise. |
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16 Aug 1944 |
ME854 |
UL-D2 |
STETTIN |
2150 |
0445 |
6h55 |
P1 Fg Off A.J. Aldridge |
NOTES: |
Target: Port and industrial areas. Load: 2x 2000lb bombs and 12x 500 'J'-Type incendiary clusters. |
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31 Aug 1944 |
* |
Killingholme to Elsham Wolds to Killingholme |
nk |
nk |
nk |
P1 Sqn Ldr B.A. Templeman-Rooke |
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NOTES: |
Station Flight's Oxford T1338. Purpose of flight not known: Passenger was a Fg Off Yates (tbc). |
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03 Sep 1944 |
* |
Elsham Wolds to Ford to Elsham Wolds |
nk |
nk |
nk |
P1 Sqn Ldr B.A. Templeman-Rooke |
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NOTES: |
Station Flight's Oxford T1338. Purpose of flight not known: Passenger was a Fg Off Yates. |
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12 Sep 1944 |
ME854 |
UL-D2 |
FRANKFURT |
1835 |
FTR |
nk |
P1 Fg Off A.J. Aldridge |
NOTES: |
Target: Marshalling Yards. Load: 10x 1000lb, 1x 500lb bombs. UL-D2 opened attack as Supporter with UL-A2, one of two aircraft from 576 Squadron briefed to act as Pathfinder Assistants. ME854 was probably shot down by an enemy nightfighter on it's way to the target, however there is still uncertainty as to the cause. There are two possibilities for the fate of the aircraft, however it does seem probable that the aircraft was hit by flak some time before it was downed. This comes from the report of a German flak battery. Originally, it was believed that the aircraft had collided with another Lancaster, PD262 of 218 Squadron. This is based on an eyewitness account and the fact that the wreckage of both aircraft and their crews were found in exactly the same location in Gundersheim. It later became apparent from Luftwaffe records that Hptm. Martin Becker, flying a Bf-110, claimed two Lancasters shot down at 2245 and 2253 that night. There appear to be only two aircraft lost in that area so it can be assumed that the two aircraft claimed by Becker were ME854 and PD262. His second claim for that night stated that the Lancaster had been 'coned' and already damaged with numerous holes in the fuselage and tail empennage, however it remains uncertain whether this aircraft was ME854 or PD262. |
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PERSONAL INFORMATION |
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Details |
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Arthur James 'Jim' Aldridge was born on 05 January 1923 in Thornton Heath, Surrey, son of Arthur Aldridge and Alice XXX. He attended Sidcup and Chislehurst County School, Kent from 1934 to 1938 before working for GEC as a Valve Tester and Service Engineer. In early 1941, Jim was driving through London in a van with his good mate Stan Jeffery when bomb fell nearby and upended the van. Despite being unhurt, both men decided there and then to join up and take their chances fighting the Germans. Jim enlisted in the RAFVR in April 1941 at the age of 18 and was called up for active service in November. Following his training in the US and Canada, Jim arrived back in England in early July 1943 and had a short period of leave during which he married Helen Jeanne Mary Star at Lamorbey, Kent on 21 July. A week later, Jim was posted for further training to prepare him for service in Bomber Command. On 13 Sep 44 Jim was killed during the attack on Frankfurt, he was just 21 years 18 months old. He lies buried with his crewmates at Rheinberg War Cemetery in a collective grave 19.B.2-10. His headstone is inscribed, “UNDERNEATH ARE THE EVERLASTING ARMS” His son James Antony “Tony” Aldridge was born 6 weeks later. Aldridge Family |
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PHOTOS & DOCUMENTS |
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Details |
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Aldridge undergoing training, probably at ITW in CambridgeAldridge Family |
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Aldridge (2nd left) training with the US Navy under the Towers Scheme at NAS Pensacola, FL. The aircraft behind is a Harvard.Aldridge Family |
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Aldridge's RAF and US Navy WingsAldridge Family |
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The Aldridge crew, L-R Rennie, Nelson, Aldridge, Giles, Lewendon. Back: Ormondroyd, Costigan.Aldridge Family |
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The Aldridge crew L-R: Lewendon, Rennie, Nelson, Aldridge, Costigan, Ormondroyd, GilesAldridge Family |
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Probably Elsham Wolds, 1944Aldridge Family |
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ME854, UL-D2 at Elsham Wolds in 1944. Lewendon and Ormondroyd in the foreground.Aldridge Family |
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