Albert George Charles Read

A Warrant Officer with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Albert died on 19th of April 1945 aged 28. 

Albert was born at Uggeshall, Suffolk, on 14 August 1916, a son of Charles and Harriet Read. In 1921 their home was at Blyford, Suffolk. 

In 1939 Albert lived at 215 Gorleston Road, Carlton Colville, and was a motor mechanic. On 8 April 1939 he married Cissie Ella May Hawkes at Saint Peter’s Church, Carlton Colville. By 1945 their home was at Souter Cottages, Beccles Road, Carlton Colville. Cissie remarried in 1949.

Albert enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve after April 1940 and served as a flight mechanic before aircrew training. 

By April 1943 Albert was a Flight Engineer with 76 Squadron based at Linton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire. On 16 April he was a member of the crew of a Halifax II bomber, number JB899, that was shot down during a raid on Pilson. Albert was captured and by April 1945 was being held a Stalag 357. On 19 April 1945 Albert and other prisoners of war were on a forced march and were at Gresse when their column was strafed by Royal Air Force Typhoon aircraft and Albert was wounded and died later died in hospital. 

WITH THANKS TO: Malcolm Barrass