The Airmen's Stories - P/O E B Rogers

Everett Bryan Rogers was born in March 1914 and joined the RAFVR about July 1937 as an Airman u/t Pilot. Called up on 1st September 1939, he completed his training at 11 FTS Shawbury on No. 18 Course, which ran from 31st January to 29th June 1940.

Above: At his marriage to Aureol in June 1938 and (below) with his wife and sister.

He was commissioned and arrived at 6 OTU Sutton Bridge on 6th July. After converting to Hurricanes Rogers joined 615 Squadron at Kenley on 4th August and moved to 501 Squadron there on 12th September.

Rogers destroyed a Do17 on the 15th and on the 28th he was shot down by Me109's over Deal, he baled out, unhurt. His Hurricane, V7497, crashed and burned out at Chartway Street, East Sutton.

Later in the war Rogers was serving with Bomber Command.

He was awarded the DFC (gazetted 27th March 1945) as an Acting Squadron Leader with 640 Squadron, operating in Halifaxs from Leconfield.

The citation mentioned an occasion when a shell burst beneath the tailplane of his aircraft as it approached Sterkrada. The Halifax turned completely on its back and fell towards the ground, out of control. Rogers eventually righted it, assured himself that the crew was unharmed and then went on to bomb the target, afterwards safely regaining his base.

On another operation, flak damaged his controls on the way to Chemnitz and only the trimming tabs could be used to control the aircraft. He continued on and bombed the target. For this he was awarded a Mention in Dispatches (gazetted 27th March 1945).

Rogers was released from the RAF in 1945 as a Squadron Leader.

He died on 16th January 1960.