The Airmen's Stories - F/Lt. S H Bazley

Sydney Howarth Bazley from Stockport, Lancashire, was born on 3rd November 1913, the son of Francis Howard Bazley (1876-1942) and Beatrice Bazley (nee Broadbent 1874-1950).

He joined 611 Squadron, Auxiliary Air Force in early 1937 and was commissioned in April of that year. He was given the nickname 'Kidney Bean' for unknown reasons.

Above: 611 Squadron members in 1937/8 with a Hawker Hind.

L to R: P/O K Stoddart, P/O JE McComb, F/Lt. WL Lang, P/O SH Bazley, Medical Officer, Unknown,

F/Lt. HC Parker (Adjutant).

Bazley was called to full-time service on 26th August 1939 and in May 1940 was serving with 266 Squadron at Martlesham Heath as 'B' Flight Commander.

Above: he was the proud owner of a early-Thirties Lagonda car.

On 12th August Bazley claimed a Me110.

Four days later his aircraft was set alight in combat and he baled out over Canterbury. He came down between Wickhambreaux and Littlebourne with burns to his face and shell splinters in his right arm. He was given first aid on landing by an army officer before being taken to Canterbury Hospital (below).

His Spitfire, P9312, crashed at Wickhambreaux and was collected by 49 MU.

Still serving with 266 Squadron he was killed on 2nd March 1941 aged 27.

His Spitfire I X4613 crashed near Gedney Hill, Lincolnshire after it lost a wing in flight.

Bazley was cremated at Leicester City Crematorium.

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Below: his parents' home in Stockport and his Lagonda did not survive a Luftwaffe raid on 22nd December 1940.

There is an immensely detailed account of Bazley's life by Maarten Engels at:

http://mijnoudespulletjes.nl/bazley.html