No.75913, Sergeant (W/Op-Air Gnr), Victor Sydney KEY
Aged 20
235 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Killed in Action on Sunday, 23rd March 1941
Jaculamur Humi..."We strike them to the ground"
|
Born in 1920 (Ely Q2-1920 3B:1060), son of Charles and Frances KEY (née CATCHPOLE) of Littleport, Cambs. He attended Soham Grammar School from 1931 to 1935.
His brother Charles served in the Royal Navy and brother Fred was in the RAF. He had a sister, Diana. Father Charles was a farm worker. In the 1939 register the family were at Riverbank, Littleport. Father, Charles [4-12-1900] a farm labourer; mother Fanny A [1-2-1902] a farm worker; his grandparents Frank C CATCHPOLE [17-3-1862] retired roadman and Ruth CATCHPOLE [24-10-1864] ; his brothers Brian E [7-2-1933] and David F [30-10-1921] (reg.Q1-1922) a horseman on farm. There are 2 closed records. He married Renee Mary BUTCHER in 1940. They lived at New River Bank, Littleport and he worked as a mechanic at Audley Garage, Crown Lane, Littleport. |
Thanks to Rex Strawson "The Littleport Fallen 1939-1945" for much of the family data and the photograph of Victor.
|
Victor was a volunteer reservist so was called up early in the war for RAF aircrew service. He served as a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner in twin engined
Bristol Blenheims with Coastal Command, carrying out torpedo attacks on enemy shipping, mine laying and low level daylight raids. From Ross McNeil "Royal Air Force Coastal Command Losses of the Second World war -Vol.1 1939-1941":- Blenheim IV - Z6085 - LA:D on a pirate patrol from RAF Bircham Newton at 15:40, piloted by P/O A.W.B.Newman, navigator Sgt H.Willis, w/op-air gunner Sgt V.S. Key. Took off in company for an anti shipping patrol. Sighted a convoy 14 km (8.5 miles) NW of Maas lightship, consisting of 3 coaster,1 flak-ship and an E-boat and attacked with 40 lb Gen. Purpose bombs from 3,000 feet but without scoring any hits. The flight was immediately attacked by three Me109s and Sgt Evans (LA-A) who was lagging behind was shot down into the sea. "D" 235 formated behind flight leader "N" 235 but was also attacked and went down with the port engine on fire, off the Hoek van Holland. The Blenheim ("D") was claimed at 18:52 hrs by Oberleutnant P.Stolte of 3/JG1 operating from De Kooy. P/O Newman and his crew are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. |
© Commonwealth War Graves Commission
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details