Sexton, Gerald F (Sergeant)
Killed in Action 1940-February-24
Birth Date: unkown date
Born:
Parents:
Spouse:
Home:
Enlistment:
Enlistment Date: unkown date
Service
RAF
Unit
99 (B) Sqn- Squadron (RAF)
Quisque Tenax Each tenacious
Base
Newmarket
Rank
Sergeant
Position
Tail Gunner
Service Numbers
755373
Target
Cologne Germany
Crew or Other Personnel
Wellington R3170
Mission
Wellington 1C R3170
Bombing Cologne Germany 1940-February-24 to 1940-February-24
99 (B) Sqn (RAF) RAF Newmarket
On the evening of July 6, 1940 eight aircraft from 99 Squadron departed Newmarket at 21:45 including Wellington IC R3170 piloted by Bob Willis destined for Cologne Germany. In very poor weather conditions they were forced to abandoned their primary target and, on their return, attempted to bomb Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. Their left engine was hit with flak and the aircraft burst into flames. Bob managed to belly-land the aircraft in a field in Haarlem coming to rest partially in a row of farmers cottage on a roadside. The rear gunner Sergeant Sexton died in the crash and subsequent fire, but the remainder of the crew, P/Os Willis and Perkins and Sergeants McArthur and Scanlon survived. Pilot Officer Perkins's foot was injured in the crash so they split up with Bob staying with John Perkins and McArthur and Scanlon able to travel more quickly to the east.
source: The Bob Willis Story, Bill Dawson
Wellington R3170 1C - Bombing Cologne Germany - 1940-02-24 to 1940-02-24
Squadron: 99 (B) Sqn (RAF)
Start Date: 1940-02-24
Completion Date: 1940-02-24
Mission: Bombing
Operation: unspecified
Target City: Cologne Germany
Target Specific:
Base: RAF Newmarket
Take Off Time: 21.45
Squadron Code:
Radio Code:
Return Base:
Return Time:
Crash City: Haarlem
Crash Specifics:
Crash Latitude: 0.00000000
Crash Longitude: 0.00000000
Crash Reason:
Flak Battery:
Enemy Claim:
War Diary Unavailable
6 Group Unavailable
6 Group Unavailable
On the evening of July 6, 1940 eight aircraft from 99 Squadron departed Newmarket at 21:45 including Wellington IC R3170 piloted by Bob Willis destined for Cologne Germany. In very poor weather conditions they were forced to abandoned their primary target and, on their return, attempted to bomb Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. Their left engine was hit with flak and the aircraft burst into flames. Bob managed to belly-land the aircraft in a field in Haarlem coming to rest partially in a row of farmers cottage on a roadside. The rear gunner Sergeant Sexton died in the crash and subsequent fire, but the remainder of the crew, P/Os Willis and Perkins and Sergeants McArthur and Scanlon survived. Pilot Officer Perkins's foot was injured in the crash so they split up with Bob staying with John Perkins and McArthur and Scanlon able to travel more quickly to the east.
source: The Bob Willis Story, Bill Dawson
