The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. A L Romanis

Andrew Lunn Romanis was born in Edinburgh on 16th May 1916, the son of Andrew Romanis and Jane Romanis (nee Lawson).

He attended Boroughmuir High School in Edinburgh and was a member of the 40th Edinburgh Boys Brigade Company.

Romanis joined the RAFVR about June 1939 as an Airman u/t WOp/AG. Called up on 1st September, he completed his training and joined 25 Squadron at Debden in October 1940.

Above (L to R): Andrew Romanis Snr, Robert Dickson Romanis, Andrew Lunn Romanis, Lewis Lawson Romanis.

An elder brother Robert also served in the RAF, as a Wing Commander. He was stationed in Malta during World War Two.

His younger brother Lewis became the Headteacher at Boroughmuir High School, which Andrew had earlier attended. Andrew is commemorated on the war memorial there.

All images courtesy of Fiona Romanis.

Romanis was a member of the crew of Blenheim I L6679 which broke up in a dive over Ingatestone in Essex during a night patrol on 16th November 1940. The aircraft had encountered icing in cloud and came down at Ramsey Tyrells, Stock, Essex killing the crew. Romanis was 24. He is buried in Saffron Walden Cemetery, Essex.

Also lost were Sgt. AJ Theasby (also a Battle veteran) and Sgt. LT Winter.

His eldest brother, Lt. William Romanis RNVR, was serving at HMS Salsette, a Combined Operations establishment in Bombay, India when he became ill and died on 23rd September 1943 aged 38. He lies in Kirkee War Cemetery.