The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. G L Gould

Gordon Leslie Gould was born on 28th January 1920 in Droitwich and employed as a golf professional when he joined the RAFVR in October 1939 as an Aircrafthand.

He remustered as an Airman u/t WOp/AG, completed his wireless training and was posted to 235 Squadron at Bircham Newton in August 1940.

He had six flying hours in his logbook.

For most of the operational sorties of his tour Gould flew with P/O HH Crawford on bomber-escorts, offensive sweeps over enemy-occupied territory and convoy and anti-U boat patrols. On a sweep over Denmark a Do18 flying boat was destroyed.

In March 1941 they shared in the destruction of a He111 and on another occasion they attacked some He115s but no results were seen.

Above, his regular crew, L to R: P/O Reginald Taylor, Gould, P/O HH Crawford.

Gould was posted away from 235 in November 1941 and he went to the RAE at Farnborough for experimental flying duties.

During the war years he flew in many different British and American aircraft and after May 1945 in many different German types.

On 13th May 1944 he was one of a crew of three in a Whitley running elevator stick force tests. During manoeuvres one of the engines caught fire but the crew were able to bale out safely. The event was recorded on the RAE's Caterpillars board (below).

Gould was released from the RAF in 1946 as a Warrant Officer.

He went on to serve in the Royal Observer Corps and recorded statistics from his service (below).

Gould died on 8th April 1984 in Droitwich.

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His brother Lt. Owen Marshall Gould of 19 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery was killed on 20th February 1944 aged 22. He is buried in Anzio War Cemetery.