Sergeant (Pilot) John Clifford Beardmore
78 Squadron Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Early Life

John was born in Chertsey, Surrey on 30 May 1919. He was the son of John and Martha Beardmore and had two sisters, Audrey and Ursula. John senior was a cabinet maker from Leek in Staffordshire and Martha was from Wantage in Berkshire. During the war John Senior was an ARP warden and the family lived at The Firs in Petersham Avenue, West Byfleet.

School Days

At school John played in the cricket team and was goalkeeper in the junior football team.

John as goalkeeper in the junior football team, 1934. 5th from left, back row.

John in the cricket first XI, 1935. 4th from left back row.

Before The War

John worked as a weights and measures inspector before the war.

World War 2

John served with 78 Squadron RAFVR (service number 918433) based at RAF Middleton St George just east of Darlington in County Durham. It is still operational today as Teesside International Airport.

On the evening of 16 August 1941 John boarded Whitley Mk. V Z6754 as it prepared to leave on a bombing mission to Cologne. 13 Bombers were due to take off on the mission. One failed to leave due to a defective bomb door. 

Whitley bomber

John was second pilot. Also on board were pilot Sgt. John Malet-Warden, observer Sgt. Anthony Millard-Tucker, wireless operator Sgt. George Buchanan (Royal Canadian Air Force) and rear gunner Flt. Sgt. Arthur Brown. After final checks the bomber took off at 2305.

Nearing the target area the plane was coned in searchlights for 6 minutes and was intercepted by a German night fighter. There are conflicting reports about which pilot shot down the bomber, either Obit. Hans-Dieter Frank or Nacht. Jagd. Hptm. Werner Streib but the plane crashed in the early hours of 17 August near Buggenum, Netherlands. All 5 crew were killed.

Of the 12 Whitleys on that nights mission only 4 attacked the primary target. 5 Failed to reach Cologne due to engine trouble (4 jettisoned their bombs and one attacked Rotterdam).

John and his comrades are buried in Jonkerbos War Cemetery, Nijmegen, Netherlands. He is also remembered on the Byfleet war memorial. He was 23 years old when he died. 
John was awarded the Order of Orange-Nassau by the Dutch Government.

John's grave in Holland

Post Note

In 1963 some plates from the bomber were found in the River Maas during excavations.

If you have any corrections or further information please contact me.