Due to the sheer number of men commemorated on the Milford Haven War Memorial, it has been split into several sections, otherwise a single page would prove too long and difficult to negotiate. The men commemorated on this page were the men who served in the Royal Flying Corps, Royal Naval Air Service, and later the Royal Air Force, who died during the course of both World Wars.

Royal Flying Corps/ Royal Air Force/ Royal Naval Air Service

The Great War, 1914-1918

Richard Eldon Bush, Flight Lieutenant, Royal Naval Air Service. Richard was the Son of Philip Wathen Bush and Maria Louisa Bush, of The Old Manor House, Keynsham Bristol. Richard learnt to fly the Caudron Biplane, at the Royal Naval Flying School, Eastchurch, gaining his Aviators Certificate on 20 August 1915. He was one of the first airmen to be based at Fishguard Naval Air Station RNAS, and on his first flight there took off in a Sopwith Baby seaplane, N1033, on the morning of 22 April 1917 on a test flight, carrying a full load of bombs, but sadly the seaplane failed to gain height at take off and struck power cables, which sent it crashing into the cliff face. At great risk to himself, a saldier of the King's Liverpool Regiment who had been watching, pulled Richard out of the burning wreckage, and he was taken to the nearby Bay Hotel, where he was treated by a local Doctor. Sadly Richard succumbed to his terrible injuries, and died on 24 April 1917. He was 26 years old, and was buried with full military honours at Keynsham Cemetery, England.

John Evans Edwards, Private, 278199, Royal Air Force. John was the Son of Benjamin and Mary Edwards of Milford, and the husband of Gertrude E. Edwards, of 88, Portfield, Haverfordwest. He had been conscripted into the Royal Air Force, and was based at the Armament School when he died  in an air crash at Uxbridge on 22 October 1918. John was 35 years old, and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.

 

Edmund Sydney Howells, Lieutenant, Royal Flying Corps. Edmund was the Son of Canon Edmund and Mrs. Emily Maud Blanche Howells, of The Vicarage, Milford Haven. He had previously served with the 11th Battalion, Welsh Regiment in France and Salonika, before becoming a pilot in 120, Squadron Royal Flying Corps. The Squadron was formed at Lympne in January 1918, and trained with the DH 9, but Edmund was killed in an accident while flying Armstrong Whitworth FK 3 A1505, on 27 March 1918. Edmund was just 19 years old, and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery. His Observer, 2nd Lieutenant John Armstrong, was also killed in the accident. The statue of an airman on top of the Milford Haven War Memorial was allegedly based on Edmund. Edmunds obituary in 'Flight Magazine' reads; 'Lieutenant EDMUND SYDNEY HOWELLS, R.F.C., who was killed accidentally, while acting as flying instructor, on March 27th, was the eldest son of the Rev. E. Howells, B.D., vicar of Milford Haven. He was educated at the King's School, Worcester, where he represented the school on the river, and was passing from the sixth form to Oxford when the war broke out. He received a commission in the Welsh Regiment directly from the O.T.G., and served with it in France, being wounded in 1916. On recovery he returned to his regiment on another front, where he was transferred to the R.F.C., and served for some time in Egypt. Last year he was recalled to act as instructor at home.'  Many thanks to Les Nixon for the photograph of Edmund's grave.

Lawrence Vaughan, Air Mechanic 2nd Class, 20264, Royal Air Force. Lawrence was living at 122, Priory Road, Milford when he joined the Royal Air Force. After training as an Air Mechanic, Lawrence was posted to 79 Squadron in France, which flew the Sopwith Dolphin. Until the end of the war it carries out fighter patrols and ground attack missions with Dolphins and after the Armistice moved to Germany as part of the occupation forces, disbanding there on 15 July 1919. Lawrence died in Germany of influenza on 5 February 1919. He is buried at Cologne Southern Cemetery, Germany.

Royal Air Force,

World War Two, 1939-1945

Anthony Clerke Adams, Pilot Officer (Pilot), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Anthony was the Son of William Frederic Clerke Adams and Frances Adams, of Hakin, Milford Haven. He served as a Pilot with 21 Squadron, RAFVR, which was a bomber squadron, which converted from Blenheims to Mosquitos in 1943. The squadron was famous for carrying out precision bombing attacks, most notably on the Gestapo Headquarters in Denmark, and a carried out strategic bombing on railway lines and roads leading up to the Normandy invasion. In February 1945 the Squadron moved to France, and soon after Anthony was killed when he was shot down over Germany on 27 February 1945. He was 22 years old, and is buried at Hanover War Cemetery, Germany, alongside his Co-Pilot.

Gordon James Edwards, D.F.C., Pilot Officer, 177700, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Gordon was the Son of Bertram and Mary Jane Edwards, of Milford Haven. He served as Pilot with 405 Squadron, RAFVR. The Squadron was designated a Canadian Squadron, and was equipped with the Lancaster heavy bomber from mid 1943 onwards, when it was also selected to be a Pathfinder Squadron, one of the elite Squadrons of the RAF. Gordon had earned himself the Distinguished Flying Cross, which was listed in the London Gazette of 28 July 1944, although there is no citation to say why he was awarded it. He was killed when his Lancaster, serial PB527, crashed in the North Sea on 16 September, 1944 during a bombing raid to Kiel. All of the crew perished. Gordon was 23 years old, and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey. Out of the crew, one man is buried in Sønderho, one in Esbjerg and five have no known grave.

Stanley Arthur Frederick Farmer, Sergeant (Pilot), 1337505, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Stanley was the Son of Reginald Herman Farmer and Beatrice Alice Farmer, Of Hakin, Milford Haven. Very little is known of him, but he served as a Pilot with the RAFVR, and died on 18 March 1943 aged 20. Stanley is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery. Thanks to Les Nixon for the photo.

 

Peter Flanagan, Sergeant (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner), 903094, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Peter was the Son of John Charles and Winifred May Flanagan, Of Tenby. Little is known of him, but he served as a Wireless Operator/ Air Gunner with 49 Squadron, RAFVR. The Squadron had been used for minelaying, but in May 1940 began raids on Germany. At 16.00 on the afternoon of 16 October 1940, orders were received detailing 12 aircraft for bombing, the main target being the submarine pens at Bordeaux. Take-off began at 19.00 at 5 minute intervals until all 12 aeroplanes were airborne. Four crews managed to complete successful sorties, despite some considerable resistance, but Peter was to lose his life on the return leg of the mission, when, desperately short of fuel, Hampden P2143, commanded by Flying Officer Charles Pitman, crashed near Andover due to a shortage of fuel, and all of the crew were sadly killed. Peter was amongst the dead that morning, on 17 October 1940. He was 20 years old, and is buried at Hubberston (St. David) Churchyard.

Wilfred Ambrose Griffiths, Sergeant (Pilot), 1316333, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Wilfred was the Son of Martha Jane Griffiths, And Stepson Of John Peel, of Hakin, Milford Haven. He served as Pilot with 102 Squadron, RAFVR, which was a Coastal Command Squadron, equipped with the Halifax, and were based at RAF Pocklington from August 1942 onwards. Wilfred was killed whilst his Halifax DT747 was shot down at Hjertingvej, Esbjerg, Denmark on 21 April 1943. He was 20 years old, and is buried alongside his crewmen at Esbjerg (Fourfelt) Cemetery, Denmark. Photograph courtesy of 'Airwar over Denmark'.

 

Frederick Harris, Sergeant, 563782, Royal Air Force. Frederick was the Son Of William Henry And Emma Harris of Milford, and was the Husband Of Nesta Harris, Of Pembroke Dock. He was a pre-war regular in the RAF, and flew with 228 Squadron, alongside another Milford man, Edward Setterfield. The Squadron was equipped with the obsolete Fairey Battle, and fought during the fall of France in 1940. Frederick must have been transferred to the Middle East, as he was killed on 1 November 1940 at the age of 26, and is commemorated on the Alamein Memorial, Libya.

William Charles Langdon, Sergeant (Wireless Operator), 751603, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. William was the Son Of Charles And Sarah Langdon, Of Milford Haven, and the Husband Of Mary Elizabeth Langdon, Of Milford Haven. He served with 48 Squadron, RAFVR. Just before the outbreak of war the squadron began to fly anti-submarine patrols off the Channel coast, operating from a number of different stations, equipped with the Avro Anson. It took part in the air operations over Dunkirk, helping to keep the German E-boats away from the potentially vulnerable flotilla of ships off the beaches. William was killed on 1 January 1941, at the age of 25. He is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.

 

Vernon Charles Lewis, D.F.M., Flight Sergeant (Flight Engineer), 570550, Royal Air Force. Vernon was the Son Of Hubert William 'Stokey' Lewis, VC, and Edith Evelyn Lewis, Of Milford Haven. He was a brave man like his father, serving as a pre-war regular with the RAF, he had gained the Distinguished Flying Medal on 23 August 1943 while serving with 83 Squadron, RAF. Sadly though, Vernon was killed the following day. The Squadron was equipped with the Lancaster Bomber, and Vernon was killed when his Lancaster was shot down during a raid over Germany on 24 August 1943. He was 22 years old, and is buried at Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery, Germany.

Leslie Llewellyn Nicholas, Flight Sergeant (Navigator), 1652501, Royal Air Force. Leslie was the Son of William and Letitia Nicholas of Milford, and the husband of Phyllis Mary Nicholas, of Neyland. He was a regular, serving with 21 Squadron, RAF, a light bomber squadron. The Squadron was formed at RAF Bodney equipped with the Blenheim. After a few months the squadron re-equipped with the Lockheed Ventura. It was the first RAF squadron to use the Ventura and was not operational until 6 December when it attacked the Philips works at Eindhoven. The aircraft was not suitable though, and were replaced in 1943 with the Mosquito. The squadron turned to night raids on continental Europe, it also carried precision daylight raids including a notable attack on Gestapo headquarters in Norway. During the invasion of Normandy, the Squadron was flying night intruder attacks against German targets, and moved to RAF Gutersloh in December 1944. Leslie was killed soon after, when he was shot down while acting as Navigator to Pilot Officer A. C. Adams in Mosquito NS990, on 27 February 1945. The aeroplane came down at around 22.00 near Bollersen, Niedersachsen, and Leslie and his pilot were buried in the Gemeindefriedhof at Bergen, before being re-interred to Hanover War Cemetery. Leslie was 22 years old.

John Foster Powell, Aircraftman 1st Class, 654215, Royal Air Force. John was the Son of John Edward and Gertrude Powell, of Milford Haven, and served with the RAF Malayan Command. Little is known of him, but he died on 26 November 1944 aged 22, and is buried at Labuan War Cemetery, Malaysia.

Sidney James Powell, Pilot Officer (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner), 130526, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Sidney was the Son of Mr. And Mrs. A. J. Powell of Milford Haven. Little is known of him, but he served with the RAFVR, and died on 26 January 1943. Sidney is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.

 

Leonard Norman Reynolds, Sergeant, 1313246, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Leonard was the Son of Mr. And Mrs. W. Reynolds, of Milford Haven, and served with the RAFVR. Little is known of him, but he was killed on 26 June 1942, aged just 19, and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey.

Henry Edward Alfred Scard, Pilot Officer, 103043, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Henry was the Son of Henry and Mary Scard of Milford, and the husband of Marguerite L. Scard, of Llandaff, Cardiff. Henry was an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects prior to the war, and served with 37 Squadron, RAFVR, equipped with the Vickers Wellington. In November 1940 the squadron was transferred to Egypt, via Malta, from where it carried out a number of sorties. Once in Egypt the squadron took part in the campaign in the western desert, supporting the Eighth Army against Rommel and the Afrika Korps. It also took part in the suppression of the Iraqi revolt and sent a detachment to Greece in March 1941. Henry was killed in the Middle East on 10 May 1942. He is commemorated on the Alamein Memorial, Libya.

Edward Louis Setterfield, Sergeant, 543241, Royal Air Force. Edward was born on 25 October 1919, the Son Of Mr. And Mrs. G. H. Setterfield, Of Milford Haven, and served as a pre-war regular, with 228 Squadron, RAF. The Squadron originally flew the obsolete Fairey Battle, and had been evacuated from France during the German Blitzkrieg of 1940. Edward was killed on 1 November 1940 while flying as part of the crew of Sunderland N9020, when it was attacked off Sicily by two Italian fighters, and came down with the loss of all her crew. Edwards body was not recovered, and he is commemorated on the Alamein Memorial, Libya.