The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. J S A Hodge
John Stephen Arthur Hodge was born in April 1912 in Sevenoaks. His parents Harry (born 1880) and Emily (nee Drury, born 1887) met while both were working at Knole House, Sevenoaks, he as a gardener and Emily as a kitchen maid.
On their marriage the house rules meant that they had to resign their positions.
John Hodge, always known as Jack, had three sisters - Emily Elizabeth, Florence Liberty and Irene Phyllis. He married Kathleen Ford in the second quarter of 1937.
Hodge joined 500 Squadron Auxiliary Air Force before the war as an Aircrafthand.
Called to full-time service on 24th August 1939 he later remustered as an Airman u/t Air Gunner and, on completion of his training, joined 141 Squadron at Dyce on 19th August 1940. Most of his sorties with 141 Squadron were flown with Sgt. PA Dale.
Above images courtesy of Michael Henley (nephew).
He was killed on 15th July 1942 as a Flight Sergeant with 159 Squadron, operating Liberators from Palestine. He is remembered on the Alamein Memorial.
Liberator II AL566 was shot down into the sea by fighters on a raid to Benghazi.
Also lost were:
P/O H Leisk RAAF
P/O GG Mallaby RAAF
F/Sgt. MC Fell RNZAF
P/O JC Pottie RAAF
WO WS Miller
F/Sgt. HE Birk RAAF
Photographs courtesy of Colonel C R Romberg RA, British Embassy Cairo
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