| WILLIAM ATHOL MIDDLETON 1918 ~ 1941 |
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| Father ~ Charles Frederick Middleton Mother ~ Jean Caroline Myrtle [surname unknown] Born ~ 1918 New Zealand Died ~ 27 August 1941 France during WW2. Age 22yrs Nationality ~ New Zealand Rank ~ Flying Officer [Pilot] Unit ~ 485 Squadron [Moto ~ Ka Whawhai Tonu : We Will Fight On] Service No ~ 39928 Casualty Type ~ Commonwealth War Dead Grave / Memorial ~ Plot 2 Row 2 Grave 17 Cemetery ~ Dunkirk Town Cemetery France Awards & Honours ~ Battle of Britian Star & clasp |
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| Battle of Britain Star & Clasp |
| On 27 August 1941 William took part in a major group opperation over France, as part of two linked opperations, designated No 85 & 86. William was part of 85 opperation to provide escort cover for 4 Blenhiem Bombers of 139 Squadron taking part in a diversionary attack on Longuenesse Aerodrome at St Omer. Flying from Kenley visibilty over the English Channel was good. Things started to go wrong. Three of 139 Squadrons Blenhiems arrived over Rye half an hour too early, whilst the fourth arrived three minuites late. Instead of waiting in the area for the Fighter Escourt to arrive the Blenhiem Bombers flew northeast along the coast heading for Manston. The Escort cover from Kenley [425 - 485 & 602 squadrons] including William arrived over Rye two minutes prior to their rendezvous time with the Blenhiem Bombers. Sighting many aircraft in the area but no Bombers 602 Squadron circled for a time then headed to France alone, crossing the coast at Hardelot. The squadron was within 15-20 miles of St. Omer when they were ordered to return to base in England. 452 Squadron crossed the French coast over Ambleteuse about 17 minutes behind 602 Squdron. Before reaching St. Omer they too were called back to base. They were chased back across the French coast at Graveline by several groups of Me109's. For William and 485 Squdron they too found no Bombers at the rendezvous point at Rye. They crossed the channel and proceeded to St. Omer, crossing the French coast at Hardelot.Shortly afterwards, they were attacked by 30 Me109's. The squadron was split up during the attack. Many of the pilots re-crossed the channel to England flying just above sea level whilst still fending off attacks. On their way back across the channel about half a dozen Me109's were waiting to catch the returning aircraft. By the time the Squdrons had returned home they had lost 6 pilots including William and 7 aircraft. Their Declared Casulties from opperation 85 were: Sgt. J.E.W Ballard ~ Sqdn 610 ~ Flying a Spitfire Vb W3503 ~ Killed in Action Sgt. W.A Brew ~ Sqdn 41 ~ Flying a Spitfire V R7304 ~ Pisoner of War Plt. Off. W.A. Middleton ~ Sqdn 485 ~ Flying a Spitfire V W3527 ~ Killed in Action Sgt. H.P.D. Morgan ~ Sqdn 41 ~ Flying a Spitfire V R7223 ~ Killed in Action Plt. Off. Z.Radomski ~ Sqdn 306 ~ Flying a Spitfire 11 P8324 ~ Wounded in Action Sgt. E.H. Roff ~ Sqdn 92 ~ Flying a Spitfire Vb W3319 ~ Killed in Action Sgt. Rutherford ~ Sqdn 72 ~ Flying a Spitfire Vb P8609 ~ Shot Down - Rescued Plt. Off. H. Skalski ~ Sqdn 72 ~ Flying a Spitfire Vb W3170 ~ Failed to Return They also claimed 6 Me109's Destroyed and 4 Damaged. |
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| They shall not grow old as we who are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning. WE WILL REMEMBER THEM. |
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| Boarders & Buttons By Shaznki |