The Airmen's Stories - P/O H Capstick

Herbert Capstick was born on 19th November 1920 in Jamaica. He was educated in England, attending Cressbrook School, Kirkby Lonsdale and then Sedbergh School from September 1934 to December 1938.

Above: Capstick, standing third from left, in the Evans House rugby team at Sedbergh School.

Above image courtesy of Caribbean aircrew in the RAF during WW2.

He joined the RAFVR around May 1939 as an Airman u/t Observer. He was called to full-time service on 1st September 1939 . After completing an Air Observers course at Warmwell, he was commissioned in May 1940 and joined 236 Squadron at Thorney Island on 15th July.

Capstick served with the squadron throughout the Battle of Britain, crewed with F/O WS Moore. In November 1940 they were both posted to 272 Squadron at Aldergrove, engaged on coastal patrols.

Capstick's next posting, in April 1941, was to 254 Squadron at Sumburgh, engaged in oversea reconnaissance, escorts and anti-Fw Condor patrols. In October the same year he was posted to 228 Squadron, operating Sunderlands from Stranraer.

Capstick was involved in long-range anti-submarine patrols off Portugal and Cape Finisterre. On 21st May 1942 his crew was credited with a U-Boat destroyed.

From June 1942 to December 1943 he instructed in Canada and also attended a specialist navigation course. He ended the war at 2 TAF superviving air movements.

Capstick was released from the RAF 1946 as a Flight Lieutenant and returned to Jamaica where he qualified and practised as a solicitor.

He died on 6th September 1954, aged 33, and is buried in Saint Michael's Anglican Church, Clarks Town, Trelawny, Jamaica.