Peter William Jeffery

A Pilot Officer with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Peter died on 26th of February 1941, aged 22. 

Peter was born at Necton, Norfolk, on 17 February 1919, a son of The Reverend Alfred Stephen and Barbara Jeffrey. He was baptised at All Saints’ Church, Necton, on 20 April 1919 and his family lived at Necton where his father was the schoolmaster. 

In 1921 his family lived at 60 Parkhurst Road, Friern Barnet, Middlesex. By 1939 Peter’s father had been ordained and become the Rector of Lound and his family lived at The Rectory, Flixton Road, Lound. Later his family moved to Beacontree, Essex. 

Peter joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1937 to train as a pilot, number 745027. He was commissioned as a Pilot Officer on 6 October 1940. 

On 26 February 1941 Peter, a pilot, was flying a Blenheim IV aircraft, N3571, of No 2 School of Army Co-operation. The aircraft was taking part in a night training exercise when it dived into the ground near Andover. Peter and two other crew were killed. 

Peter is buried at Saint John the Baptist Churchyard, Lound. WITH THANKS TO: Malcolm Barrass