The Airmen's Stories - P/O C F A Capon

Cardale Frederick Alexander Capon was born at Surbiton, Surrey on August 1st 1920, the son of Thomas Cardale Capon and Lilian May Capon, of New Malden.

He was educated at Arundel House Preparatory School, Surbiton and Kingston Grammar School. In July 1937 he went to work at Bobby's, Eastbourne as a textile apprentice.

His weekends were spent flying with the Civil Air Guard and he was awarded Aero Certificate 18173 at Cambridge Aero Club on 7th May 1939.

On August 8th 1939 Capon began elementary flying training at 19 E&RFTS, Gatwick as a candidate for a short service commission and went on to 11 FTS, Shawbury on October 21st.

He joined 257 Squadron when it reformed at Hendon on May 17th 1940. Capon claimed a He111 destroyed on August 12th and a Ju88 the next day. On October 12th he was shot down in combat with Me109’s over Dungeness and baled out, slightly wounded. His Hurricane, V7298, crashed at High House Farm, Stone.

After Squadron Leader RRS Tuck took command of 257 in September 1940 Capon always flew as his No 2.

On January 1st 1941, after flying a night patrol, Capon was killed landing in a snow blizzard at Coltishall in Hurricane V7186..

He was 20 years old and is buried in Marsh Lane Cemetery, Surbiton.

On 5th April 1942 his 19-year-old sister Yvonne, a Writer in the WRNS, left her camp with friends to walk on the beach near Skegness. They triggered a mine and Yvonne was killed. She is buried in the same grave.