The Airmen's Stories - F/O N R Wheatcroft

Nigel Ronald Wheatcroft, from Idridgehay, Derbyshire was born on 21st July 1919. He was educated at Winchester College and Trinity College, Cambridge where he read History and Law. Wheatcroft learned to fly with the University Air Squadron and joined the RAFVR in June 1939 as an Airman u/t Pilot, being commissioned and called to full-time service in October 1939. With training completed, he arrived at 5 OTU Aston Down on 22nd June 1940.

After converting to Blenheims Wheatcroft joined 604 Squadron at Northolt on 8th July. He was attached to 11 Group, Uxbridge on the 14th for a short course on R/T procedure and elementary attacks.

He was captain of Blenheim L6728 which crashed at Danebury Hill during an evening flight on 26th November 1940. He and Sergeant RHW Taylor were killed. Wheatcroft is buried in St James' churchyard, Idridgehay.