Ralph Edward Tomlinson

A Sergeant with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Ralph died on 12th of February 1942 aged 21.

Ralph was born at Ipswich on 11 June 1920, a son of Edgar Tomlinson and of Harriet Rhoda Tomlinson. In 1921 his family lived at 52 Fleet Street, Bury, Lancashire. 

On 31 July 1937 Ralph was appointed to a role with the Civil Service clerical class and, by 1939, when his family lived at Briardale, Chestnut Avenue, Oulton Broad, Ralph worked with the clerical section of the Post Office telephone department. 

Ralph joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve after May 1940. By February 1942 he was an Air Gunner serving with 455 Squadron. 

On 12 February 1942 Ralph was part of the crew of a Hampden 1 aircraft, number P1156 UB-F, flying from Wigsley, Nottinghamshire, as part of ‘Operation Fuller’ which was the attempt to intercept German battleship in the English Channel. Ralph’s aircraft was lost without trace off the Dutch coast.  

WITH THANKS TO:Malcolm Barrass