The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. E L Byrne

Edward Laurence Byrne, of Portsmouth, was born on 23rd July 1919 and joined the RAF on 4th October 1938 for nine years as an Aircrafthand. He trained as a Wireless Operator and was one of the original radar operators in the Fighter Interception Unit from April 1940.

At that time there was no official role for them and most were LACs. The CO arranged for them to be trained as air gunners so that they could become Sergeants and draw flying pay.

Above: Stalag Luft 3

(image courtesy of the Ker-Ramsay family).

On 13th September 1940 Byrne was in Blenheim Z5721 which failed to return from a night patrol. He, the pilot F/Lt. RG Ker-Ramsay and Sgt. G Dixon, observer, baled out and were captured. The Blenheim crashed into the Channel off Calais.

Byrne was held in Stalag Luft 3 at Sagan.

He was released from the RAF in 1945 as a Warrant Officer.

On 3rd November 1945 he married Diana Marion Richards at St. Georges, Stamford, Lincolnshire.