The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. J R Friend

Jack Richard Friend was born in Norwich on 1st April 1914, the son of John Richard and Nellie May Friend.

He was awarded Aero Certificate 19451 at Norfolk & Norwich Aero Club on 10th August 1939. His occupation was recorded as 'bus conductor'.

Frend joined the RAF in October 1939 as an Airman u/t Air Gunner. He went to 25 Squadron at North Weald in early October 1940.

In the evening of 7th December 1940 Friend was one of the crew of Blenheim L1235 which was detailed to check the blackout over Peterborough. During the patrol the weather deteriorated and a bad storm developed. The pilot lost control and the aircraft came down near the village of Elton in Huntingdonshire (now Cambridgeshire).

Friend and the pilot, F/Lt. J McC M Hughes were both killed and the Radar Operator, Sgt. FB Blenkharn, was seriously injured.

Friend was 26. He is buried in All Saints' churchyard, Wittering.