The Airmen's Stories - F/O J Waddingham

John Waddingham joined the RAF on a short service commission in April 1938. He was posted to 9 FTS, Hullavington on 18th June and after completing the course he went to No. 1 AOS, North Coates as a staff pilot.

In early July 1940 Waddingham was with 141 Squadron, flying Defiants. On 16th September, flying with Sgt. AB Cumbers as his gunner, he destroyed a He111 and probably shot down another into the sea. He was awarded the DFC (gazetted 18th March 1941).

In 1942 Waddingharn was with 89 Squadron in the Middle East. He was killed on 27th September 1942, as a Flight Lieutenant with the 89 Squadron detachment at Takali, Malta. His Beaufighter V8268 crashed on landing having suffered an engine failure and been hit by friendly AA fire whilst returning from an interception. He died from burns and shock.

Waddingham is buried in the Naval Cemetery, Capuccini, Malta.

(Malta photographs courtesy of Mike Eastman at www.whirlwindfighterproject.org)