The Airmen's Stories - AC1 N Jacobson

Norman Jacobson, born in Grimsby in 1922, the son of Alfred Edwin Jacobson and Olive Jacobson (nee Stamp).

He joined the RAF about June 1940. It is thought that he volunteered for flying duties and was sent to Yatesbury for a short radar course, after which he joined 29 Squadron at Digby in August as a Radar Operator.

During the night of 24th/25th August 1940 Jacobson was flying with F/O JRD Braham, pilot, and Sgt. AA Wilsdon, air gunner. They intercepted a He111 over the Humber area. Braham drew alongside and Wilsdon fired a long burst until the enemy aircraft caught fire and peeled away with its port engine alight.

On 25th August Jacobson was airborne on a night patrol in Blenheim L1330. It is believed to have been shot down by an enemy aircraft off Wainfleet, Lincolnshire, coming down in the sea. The body of Sgt. RJ Gouldstone was washed ashore at Skegness. Jacobson and the pilot, , P/O RA Rhodes, were declared Missing.

However Jacobson's body was recovered two days later by the trawler 'Alfredian' near the Inner Dowsing lightship and buried at sea.

Jacobson was 18. He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, panel 27.

Above image courtesy of Dean Sumner.

He is also commemorated on a family grave at Scartho Road cemetery, Grimsby.