The Airmen's Stories - P/O F W CALE

Francis Walter Cale, from Milford Junction, Perth, Western Australia was born on 24th February 1915 and was educated at Milford Grammar School, Perth.

After learning to fly at the local Maylands aerodrome Cale was provisionally accepted by an RAAF Board for an RAF short service commission and sailed for England on February 2nd 1939. With his elementary flying successfully completed, Cale was granted his commission in May 1939.

After completing his flying training, he joined 266 Squadron at Sutton Bridge in early November.

In July 1940 he married Muriel Joan Perry at Paddington.

On August 15th 1940 Cale was shot down by Me109's over Maidstone. He baled out but landed in the River Medway, his body being recovered from the river the following day. His Spitfire, N3168, crashed in flames on the bank of the Medway at Teston.

Cale was 25.

He is buried in Westminster City Cemetery, Ealing, close to his wife's home.

Below: there is also a plaque at Teston War Memorial.

Above image courtesy of Geoffrey Gillon