The Airmen's Stories - S/Ldr. J A Davies

John Alfred Davies was serving as a 2nd Lieutenant in the early thirties in the 1st City of London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers) (TA). He resigned his commission on October 1st 1934 and joined 604 Squadron, Auxiliary Air Force at Hendon in March 1935.

Davies was taken into full-time service on August 24th 1939 and was with 604 as a Flight Commander. He was attached to 6 OTU, Sutton Bridge on September 7th 1940, converted to Hurricanes and was posted on the 18th to command 308 (Polish) Squadron, then being formed at Squires Gate.

On October 16th 1940 Davies was killed after striking a barrage balloon cable above Coventry, when it was obscured by cloud. His Hurricane, P3999, dived into the ground at Whitley Stadium.

Davies is buried in St Nectan's churchyard, Hartland by Stoke, Devon.

(Above) - the original CWGC marker is preserved inside the church.