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The Airmen's Stories - F/Lt. W E Gore

 

William Ernest Gore of Stockton-on-Tees was born on 19th February 1915, the son of George Ernest and Edith Gore. He was awarded a B.Sc. from Durham University.

Gore was employed as an electrical engineer when he joined 607 Squadron, Auxiliary Air Force in 1934.

He was called to full-time service on 24th August 1939 and flew to France with the squadron, then equipped with Gladiators, on 15th November.

 

Above: Gore centre with pipe.

 

On 31st March he force-landed in Gladiator K7898 near Vitry-en-Artois when the engine seized up. On 10th May he claimed a He111, 1G+DK of 2./KG27, that came down near St. Amand-les-Eaux. He shared another He111, from 1./LG1, on 11th May.

 

 

 

Leading a section on a dawn patrol on 12th May 1940 Gore intercepted He111s of 4./LG1. His section shot down three of them but return fire set his Hurricane P2572 AF*B on fire and he baled out. He was taken to hospital with burns.

Gore was awarded the DFC (gazetted 31st May 1940).

He was posted to 54 Squadron at Catterick on 6th August but returned to 607 in early September. On the 28th Gore was shot down by Me109s, in an action east of Selsey.

He was reported 'Missing' and is believed to have crashed into the sea in Hurricane P3108.

Gore was 25. He is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, panel 4.

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His brother Lt. John Lionel Gore was killed aged 22 on 22nd April 1943 serving with the 5th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) attached to 4th Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. He lies in Massicault War Cemetery, Tunisia.

 

 

Above image courtesy of Dean Sumner.

 


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