View Full Version : Sergeant Felix Byrne
Hi People, I am trying to find out some information on the above buried in Airdrie Cemetery 31st Jan 1944 age 20.
I believe he may have been shot down over the Campsie Hills, one of his relatives is interested to find out aircraft type, circumstances etc.
I am a PPL and would appreciate any help or guidance.
Many thanks,
T18
RAFEngO74to09
5th Jun 2012, 20:19
Google search for "Sergeant Felix Byrne" produces numerous hits including this one:
BBC - Bradford and West Yorkshire - History - "Tell them of us" (http://www.bbc.co.uk/bradford/content/articles/2006/01/31/bomber_memorial_ilkley.shtml)
Milo Minderbinder
5th Jun 2012, 21:11
Details on DK185 and its crew at
http://www.bradford.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/F69F00C3-A63F-44E0-A34B-CEB3D054C176/0/HIGHABOVEADDINGHAM.pdf
Aircraft accidents in the Pennines area. (http://www.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk/aircraft/planes/dales/dk185.html)
Halifax Bomber DK185 on Ilkley Moor, Yorkshire | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/maycontaintracesofnuts/4319122785/)
Many thanks RAFENG, It would appear to be the correct Felix, and to the following poster, Felix lived in Lanarkshire so probabale that he was buried there.
Many thanks, I have been emailing his relative the details.
Would 20years old be quite young for a Sergeant?
T18
Milo Minderbinder
5th Jun 2012, 21:29
T18
at first I read the reports as stating he was Canadian hence my comment - now removed. In fact he was the only non-Canadian on the crew
Archimedes
5th Jun 2012, 21:33
Milo - the CWGC database entry for Felix Byrne says that his parents were from Plains, which is on the A89 Airdrie Road (thank you Google...) so that answers your now-disappeared question.
T18 - as Sgt Byrne was aircrew, the answer is no, that wasn't young. Although aircrew at the start of the war could be Leading Aircraftsmen (for instance), by 1944, all non commissioned aircrew would hold at least Sergeant's rank. I think I'm correct in saying that it is still entirely possible for a 20 year old to be a Sergeant if they're part of the non commissioned aircrew cadre.
foiled again
6th Jun 2012, 10:47
Apologies for a bit of a 'BTW coincidence' addition to this thread.
The name Byrne in the thread rang a bell in that a memorial was dedicated on Saturday to commemorate the crew of Wellington BK517, piloted by Flying Officer John Gordon Byrne and which crashed on 28 Dec 42 during an Air Test (Medical) at Bodicote, Oxfordshire.