Name
Leonard Bygrave
Conflict
Second World War
Date of Death / Age
07/02/1943
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Sergeant
933155
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
158 Sqdn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
GUIDEL COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Row 4. Grave 3.
France
Headstone Inscription
OUR DEAREST BOY IS WITH US NOW AND IN ETERNITY
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Boys’ Grammar School Memorial (WW2), St Katherine’s Church Memorial, Ickleford
Biography
He qualified for the Oxford School Certificate at the Hitchin Grammar School which he attended from 1932- 1937. He was noted at the school as an athlete. After leaving school he was employed by Messrs G. W. King of Hitchin as a draughtsman.
He joined the R.A.F. with Service Number 933155 in February 1941 and passed as a Serjeant Navigator early in 1942.
After his 29th operational mission over enemy territory, he was reported missing following an attack on Lorient by 158 Squadron of Bomber Command, flying Halifax II DT701 NP-T. The aircraft had taken off from Rufforth near York at 19.01hrs and crashed at Manebos-en-Lanester (Morbihan) near Guidel 10km northwest of Lorient. The Red Cross, quoting German sources, reported that he had lost his life.
He was buried with the other seven members of the crew at Guidel in France in Row 4, Grave 3 of the Guidel Communal Cemetery, Morbihan, France.
His home was at 26, Bedford Road, Ickleford near Hitchin and he was the son of Leonard and Elizabeth Mary Bygrave.
Acknowledgments
David C Baines – ‘Hitchin’s Century of Sacrifice’, Paul Johnson - local historian, Hitchin Grammar School Chronicle, ‘RAF Squadrons’ by C.G. Jefford, Herts & Beds Express dated 20th Feb & 3rd Apr 1943
