OLD AZURIANS

Walter John Elton: Aircraftman 1st Class RAFVR died 16 February 1942 aged 29. Commemorated on Singapore Memorial. He was known to have left Singapore, just before its fall, on a RAF rescue launch. He was not reported missing until May 1943. He volunteered for the RAF in 1941. In Civilian life he was a freelance journalist and played rugby for the Old Azurians and Worthing.

Born 4/3/1912; school years 1924-28.

 

Ernest Kenneth Foulger: Civilian casualty aged 16 killed on 1 November 1941 when an enemy bomb destroyed his home, 84 Haynes Road, Worthing. Buried in Worthing Municipal Borough Cemetery on 6 November 1941. His parents were Ernest Cecil and Doris Myrtle.

Born 26/5/1925; school years 1935-40.

​

Wilfred Anthony Frampton: Pilot Officer RAFVR 239 Squadron (fighter/tactical reconnaissance) died 22 April 1942 aged 22.. Having been reported missing after failing to return after an operation on 22 April 1942, his body was recovered from the sea some time later and he was buried in Durrington Cemetery on 26 May 1942. He had joined the RAF in 1940 as a wireless operator but qualified as a pilot a year or so before he died. He was an accomplished violinist who had studied at the Royal School of Music and became well-known in Worthing as a composer, conductor and as a member of the Worthing Municipal Orchestra. His parents Joseph Anthony and Kathleen Isabel lived at 26 Chatham Road and later in Warren Road.

Born 25/10/1919; school years 1930-32.

​

Kenneth Ivor Gilbert: Sergeant RAFVR, a pilot instructor at #32 STFS (Service Flying Training School) Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada died on 28 August 1941 aged 24. His aircraft crashed on Buttress relief airfield soon after taking off for night flying practice. Buried in Moose Jaw (Rosedale) Cemetery, Saskatchawan, Canada. Parents John Prior and Ivy Constance lived in Kingston Lane Southwick and his wife Doris Jessie lived in Shoreham.

Born 16/4/1917; School years 1930-33

 

Richard Frazer Hearne: Sub Lt. RNVR served on the armed merchant cruiser HMS Chitral presumed died while on convoy BHX 127 escort duties 14 May 1941. Commemorated on Portsmouth Naval Memorial. Parents Edward John Frazer and Maud Mary lived in Rustington.

Born 28/2/1919; school years 1930-35.

 

Alec Thomas Hewett: Flying Officer RAFVR died on 12 January 1945 aged 27. His Halifax bomber MZ812 from 77 Squadron based at RAF Full Sutton was lost without trace during a mine-laying operation in the Kattegat. Commemorated at Runnymede Memorial (no known grave). His parents Ernest Thomas and Alice Maria lived in Mill Lane, Worthing.

Born 23/3/1916; school years 1927-32.

 

Rex Jupp: Police Detective Constable of 17 Ennerdale Road, Reading, was killed during an air raid on 10 February 1943 at 29 Market Place Reading, aged 24. Buried in Reading County Borough Cemetery. He had bought a bunch of red carnations for his wife Constance who had carried a bouquet of these when they married on 4 April the previous year. He had then entered a café to get a cup of tea and while he was inside a German FW 190 bomber dived out of the clouds and dropped a bomb on the café. When Jupp’s body was dug out from the debris he was still clutching the bunch of flowers. He played rugby for the Old Azurians and was also a good cricketer and swimmer. His parents Reginald K G & Violet E lived at 12 Alverstone Road, Worthing. 

Born 6/11/1918; school years 1930-36.

 

Robert Alfred Kerckhove: Flight Sergeant RAF killed on the night of 24/25 June 1943 aged 21. He was the flight engineer on Lancaster LM327-B of  97 Squadron based at RAF Bourn. The aircraft was lost without trace. He was only 15 when he left school to become a RAF apprentice. Commemorated on Runnymede Memorial. His parents were Lieutenant RNVR Robert Alfred and Lilian Sophia who lived at 6 Angus Way West Worthing.

Born 4/3/1922; school years 1935-37.

 

Gordon William Lauder: Flight Sergeant RAFVR air gunner in 454 Squadron RAF killed in action,  on 19 April 1945. Buried in Padua War Cemetery Italy. Parents Harry and Dorothy. Lived at 23 Hurst Avenue West Worthing.

Born 8/12/1924; school years 1939-41.

Peter Edward Lee: Flight Sergeant RAFVR, wireless operator/air gunner in 101 Squadron, RAF Ludford Magna, died 18 October 1943, aged 20, when Lancaster DV266, target Hanover, crashed at Weetzen. After being “coned” by searchlights his aircraft was shot down by a German Dornier night fighter which itself was shot down, but whereas none of the Lancaster crew survived the fighter crew bailed out successfully. Lee had completed 30 operations and normally should have been on non-operational duties. It is believed that Lee was on the flight because he was trying out some experimental equipment. Buried at Hanover War Cemetery, Niedersachsen, Germany.  Parents Charles Edward and Frances Ivy lived at 217 Tarring Road West Worthing.

Born 8/4/1923; school years 1934-39.