The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. J Proctor

Jack Proctor, of Coventry, was born on 9th December 1916, the son of William and Fanny Proctor.

He joined the RAFVR in April 1938 as an Airman u/t Pilot.

Called up on 1st September 1939, he completed his training at 14 FTS (Kinloss and Cranfield, photos below) and joined 602 Squadron at Drem on 20th June 1940.

He had married Audrey Louise Thomas on 18th June 1940 at Stoke Church, Coventry.

Above images courtesy of Simon Eyre.

He claimed a Ju88 destroyed on 31st August, a Me109 destroyed on 6th September, a Me110 destroyed on the 7th, a Do17 probably destroyed on the 9th and a Me110 destroyed and another damaged on the 11th.

His final sortie with 602 was made on 8th September, a patrol.

602 Squadron

Rear row L to R: F/O CB Willey MC (MO), P/O SN Rose, Sgt. A McDowall, F/O JS Hart, Brazebrook (IO), Sgt. J Proctor, S/Ldr. AD Farquhar, Sgt. RFP Phillips, P/O A Lyall, Sgt. GA Whipps, P/O DH Gage, F/O PPC Barthropp, Taylor (? non-BoB), P/O HG Niven.

Front row L to R: F/Lt. CJ Mount, F/Lt. RF Boyd, S/Ldr. AVR Johnstone, S/Ldr. JD Urie, F/Lt. D Jack

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Proctor was killed in a flying accident on 18th April 1941 while serving as an instructor at 5 FTS Sealand. He was fatally injured whilst flying in Master I N7823 which flew into the ground near RAF Ternhill after the rudder failed.

LAC F Taylor was also killed.

Proctor was 24. He is buried in St. Michaels churchyard, Stoke, Coventry.

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On 16th November 2019 Katharina Volle-van der Bent, who lives in Noordwijkerhout in Holland, kindly sent this email:

'I found this crucifix today at the beach during walking with the dogs'