Eric Berry

A Sergeant with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Eric died on 23rd of January 1943 aged 20. 

Eric was born at Chorley, Lancashire, on 17 November 1922, a son of William and Evelyn Berry. In 1939 his family lived at Loomdi, Normanston Drive, and Eric was an electrician and engineer.

Eric enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve after August 1940. On 19 December 1942 Eric joined 75 Squadron, at R.A.F. Newmarket. He was a Wireless Operator. 

On 23 January 1943 Eric was part of Sergeant Kidd's crew flying a Stirling 1bomber, number R9248 AA-H, to attack targets at Lorient. The aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire. The pilot tried to land the plane, but it crashed at St. Thegonnec. All of the crew, save one, were killed. This was Eric's first operational sortie with 75 Squadron.

For more details see 75(NZ) Squadron RAF Nominal Roll | 75(nz)squadron (wordpress.com) 

WITH THANKS TO: Malcolm Barrass