Charles Raymond Farman

A Flight Sergeant with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Charles died on 27th of November 1943 aged 25. 

Charles was born at Lowestoft on 12 June 1918, a son of Charles Robert and Alice Maud Farman. In 1921 they lived at 105 Carlton Road and by 1939 Charles’ parents were living at 125 Carlton Road.

Probate records show Charles’ address as The Police Station, Stowmarket, hence it is thought that he was serving in the police before he joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve at some point after November 1940. 

By November 1943 he was serving with 172 Squadron. Charles was a member of the crew of a Wellington XIV bomber, number HF 153, that had been fitted with a Leigh Light and radar for anti-submarine work. The aircraft flew from RAF Lajes Field, in the Azores, on an escort sortie for Convoy SL-140. His aircraft was attacking submarine U-764 when it was hit by anti-aircraft fire (flak) and crashed into the sea west of Lisbon. Two of the crew survived. 

WITH THANKS TO: Malcolm Barrass