Sydney A Errington

Sergeant Observer
Service No; 1507631

7 Squadron RAFVR
Aircraft Type; Stirling 111
Serial Number; EF 392
Code; MG-N

On the 24/25 th June 1943, [Thursday/Friday] EF 392 took off from its base in Oakington Cambridge at 23.28. It’s mission to attack the Elberfeld half of Wuppertal. The pathfinder marking was accurate and the main force bombing started well; but the creep back became more pronounced than usual. 30 aircraft bombed targets in more western parts of the Ruhr. Wuppertal was at the eastern end of the area. A total of 171 factories and businesses were destroyed and another 53 seriously affected.

The Crew. Sq/Ldr John Ronald Savage AUS. 402882 RAAF [26] Pilot
P/O Frederick John Haines 149607 RAFVR
Fl/Sgt Godfrey Hippesley Cox 569405 RAF [23]
FL/Sgt Sidney James Barnes 656215 RAF [23]
Air/Bmr Sgt Sydney Arthur Errington 1507631 RAFVR [28]
W/O Sgt Arthur Ashton Caley 1377873 RAFVR [27]
Air/Gnr Fl/Sgt Norman Robert Morrison 14004 RCAF [19]
Air/Gnr Sgt Derek Richard Spanton 1323191 RAFVR [21]

The aircraft is believed to have been shot down by Lt Heinz Struning of 2.NJ G1 at 03.02 over the Dutch Coast, before crashing into the North Sea. The body of one airman was eventually washed ashore and is buried in Bergen General Cemetery, other members of the crew have no known graves. Three Stirling’s of 7 Squadron were lost on this operation.

Sydney Arthur and his brother George were residents of ‘The Glebe’ Dalton le Dale. Mrs Blenkinsop formerly Mary Lousia Errington who lived with her husband William Oswald Blenkinsopp at ‘Glebe Villa ’purchased the hymn board as a memoriam to her brothers.