There was no 524 Squadron badge and since they
were attached to Coastal Command, this is the badge depicted
1874911, Sergeant (Signaller), Sidney Willam ARGENT
Aged 20
|
Born in Newmarket in 1925 [Newmarket 3b:674] to Sidney and Margaret ARGENT (née WEBBER) of 3 Exeter Road, Newmarket.
"Bill" was a pupil of St.Mary's School, Newmarket and employed by Ennions, solicitors. A keen accordian player, he took his accordian with him to RAF Langham, and it was returned to his mother. He was a member of the Home Guard prior to enlistment. In the 1939 register, at 3 Exeter Road, Newmarket were his father Sidney [30-4-1900] loftman in racing stable and his mother Margaret [21-7-1901]. There are 2 closed records, one will be his sister Margaret (later Mrs BARRETT) and the other his brother David (now deceased), who was to become a well known photographer in Newmarket. Sidney was the Nephew of Walter Argent, killed in WW1.. see here
He took off from RAF Langham in Norfolk on the evening of 24th February in Wellington Mk XIV HF283 c/s 7R-? of Coastal Command. Whilst on a shipping patrol, they were shot down by flak from E-boats. Pilot Flt/Lt E F Davis and 2nd pilot F/O B A Taylor were spotted by a Mosquito then a Swordfish dropped flares to mark their position, while Coastal Command Warwicks of Air Sea Rescue took over until the arrival of a rescue launch. Unfortunately Sgt Argent and 2 others of the crew were never found. |
© Commonwealth War Graves Commission
No known grave - Sidney is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey Ref: panel 273
|
To convey a better picture of the circumstances, this is added: London Gazette Date:3 April 1945 Issue number:37018 Page number:1847: Distinguished Flying Cross. Flight Lieutenant Elwyn Francis DAVIS (122465), R.A.F.V.R., 524 Sqn. Flying Officer Brook Abbott TAYLOR (N.Z.4213399), R.N.Z.A.F., 524 Sqn. (died Hastings, New Zealand on 20 Oct 1984] One night in February, 1945, these officers were pilot and bomb aimer respectively of an aircraft engaged on a sortie. Whilst off the Dutch coast, they sighted a force of eight enemy E. boats. The position was reported and, some time later, Flight Lieutenant Davis dived to the attack. In spite of fierce fire, the attack was pressed home. Bomb bursts were seen to straddle one of the vessels which were also machine-gunned. Later on, a second attack was made. As he went in, Flight Lieutenant Davis was met with intense and accurate fire. The aircraft was hit repeatedly. Half a mile from the target, the port wing burst into flames. Nevertheless, Flying Officer Taylor coolly continued to direct his pilot on to the target and a straight and level bombing run was executed. Soon fterwards the aircraft became uncontrollable and could no longer be flown. By this time, the fuselage was on fire along most of its length. Coolly and skilfully, Flight Lieutenant Davis brought the aircraft down on to the water. It broke up on impact but Flight Lieutenant Davis and Flying Officer Taylor got aboard the dinghy from which they were later rescued. These officers displayed the highest qualities of skill, courage and resolution. |
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details
