The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. W H Machin

William Howard Machin was born on 31st January 1920 in West Bromwich, Staffordshire, the son of Edmund William and Ivy Mary Machin.

He joined the RAF in September 1939 as an Airman u/t Air Gunner.

After completing his training he joined 264 Squadron at Hornchurch on 22nd August 1940.

Machin was flying as gunner with P/O RS Gaskell in Defiant L6967 PS-P on the 24th when they were shot down by Me109s of JG51 over Hornchurch.

The aircraft force-landed at Boreham near Chelmsford.

Machin died of his wounds and Gaskell was slightly injured.

Machin was 20 and is buried in Handsworth Cemetery.