The Airmen's Stories - F/Lt. M R Atkinson

Matthew Richard Atkinson, of Gosforth, Northumberland, joined the RAF on a short service commission and began his elementary flying training as a pupil pilot in November 1936. He was posted to 11 FTS, Wittering on 6th February 1937 and after completing his training he joined 52 Squadron at Upwood, Huntingdonshire on 4th September 1937. At that time 52 was using Audax and Hart light bombers but was re-equipped with Battles in 1939. The squadron was disbanded in early April 1940.

Atkinson volunteered for Fighter Command and on 20th September 1940 he joined 43 Squadron at Usworth.

He was killed on 26th June 1942 as a Squadron Leader flying in Wellington IC, Z9812 'Z' of No. 1481 Flight, which crashed into the North Sea off the Dutch coast during the third '1000 Bomber' raid against Bremen. Atkinson was 26 and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, panel 65.

Also lost were:

Sgt. W Waller RAFVR
Sgt. AN Blackley RAAF
Sgt. DH McIntosh RAAF
Sgt. JG O’Sullivan RAAF

(Above image courtesy of Dean Sumner)