Charles Samuel Drake

A Sergeant with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Charles died on 23rd of February 1945 aged 24.

Charles was born at Lowestoft on 27 December 1920, a son of Charles William and Georgina Drake. He was baptised at Saint Margaret’s Church on 20 January 1921 and his family lived at 221 Raglan Street. By 1939 his family home was at 104 Beresford Road and Charles was a clerk with an electrical cable making contractor.   

Charles enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve between September 1939 and June 1940. In February 1945 he was serving with 18 Squadron based at Falconara, Italy. 

On 23 February Charles was a member of the crew of a Douglas Boston IV bomber, number BZ482 ‘M’, that took part in a raid on the marshalling yards at Cormons, Italy. His aircraft failed to return. All of the crew were killed. 

WITH THANKS TO: Malcolm Barrass