The Airmen's Stories - P/O J Redman

John Redman was born in Liverpool on 1st February 1915, the son of Canon Samuel Redman and Annie Dorothea Redman (nee Brown).

He joined the RAF on a short service commission and began his initial training on 6th February 1939.

With his training completed, Redman joined the newly-formed 245 Squadron at Leconfield on 6th November 1939. He was detached for a time to 605 Squadron at Wick from 30th March 1940.

Above: 245 Squadron at Hawkinge in June 1940.

Standing L to R: P/O HJ Smith (IO), F/O Hamilton-Bowyer (IO), P/O G Marsland, P/O GL Howitt, P/O AL Hedges

Sitting L to R: P/O KB McGlashan, F/Lt. Priestly (IO), F/Lt. JA Thomson, P/O J Redman, P/O GE Hill

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He was back with 245 Squadron before the end of May. Over Dunkirk on 1st June he destroyed a Me109. Redman went from 245 on detachment to 43 Squadron at Usworth on 18th September 1940.

He joined 257 Squadron at Martlesham Heath on 27th September, on attachment from 43 Squadron. He crashed at Saffrey Farm, Owens Court, Selling on 12th October after a combat with Me109s over Deal, unhurt.

He married Catherine Audrey Kelly in Newcastle Upon Tyne on 26th October 1940, his father officiating (below).

On 11th November Redman damaged a Me109 in combat with Ju87s and Me109s over a convoy. He had to land at Manston to refuel and was fogbound there till the next day. Meanwhile the rest of 257 Squadron engaged the only substantial raid by Italian aircraft (based in Belgium) on the UK.

His next posting was to 55 OTU Aston Down as an instructor.

From this point on his service career is very poorly documented, however what is certain is that by early 1943 he was a RAF Liason Officer with No.1 Column of Orde Wingate's 77th Indian Infantry Brigade (Chindits). These columns penetrated deep into Burma and relied on resupply by air, hence the RAF presence.

The first campaign over-reached itself and had to stage a fighting withdrawal with many wounded and sick being left behind.

Redman was killed in the withdrawl on or about 20th April 1943 but the circumstances remain unknown.

He is commemorated on the Singapore Memorial at Kranji (below).