The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. P O Davis

Philip Oscar Davis, of Ramsey, Huntingdonshire, was born in March 1921, the son of Frank Richards Davis (1877-1941) and Sarah Elizabeth Woodward (1879-1964).

He attended Ramsey Abbey Grammar School.

He joined the RAFVR about April 1939 as an Airman u/t Pilot. Called up on 1st September 1939, he completed his training and joined 222 Squadron at Hornchurch on 25th September 1940.

On 26th October Davis crashed on Purleigh Barns Farm, Latchingden when his engine caught fire during a patrol. The Spitfire, R6773, was wrecked but Davis was unhurt.

Above: Taken at Hornchurch in 1940, Davis is standing first left.

After the Battle of Britain he was granted the Freedom of the City of Coventry. A report of the occasion stated that he had been chosen as 'Coventry was where he had served his articles in aircraft construction'.

Commissioned in January 1942, Davis was killed on 10th August 1943, serving with 511 Squadron, an Albemarle transport unit. Albemarle GT1 serial P1433 is presumed to have crashed into the sea at its last known position 120 miles west of Gibraltar. Also lost were:

F/Lt. HA Kidd-May
F/O JH Charnock
F/O DCW Clark RCAF
F/O AW Little RCAF
F/O JC Valder RAAF
F/Sgt. WR McLellan RCAF
F/Sgt. RDC Smith RAAF
Sgt. WB Clarkson
Sgt. J Oxley
Sgt. DA Woods
Cpl. KT Alexander

Davis was then a Flying Officer aged 22. He is commemorated on the Malta Memorial.

And also on his parents' grave (below).