The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. E E Shepperd

Edmund Eric Shepperd was born at Binstead, Isle of Wight on 18th July 1917. His father, Joseph Edmund Shepperd died on 8th April 1919 aged 32 of wounds received in the Great War while serving with the Hampshire Regiment.

EE Shepperd joined the RAF in September 1933 as an Aircraft Apprentice and passed out in August 1936 as a Wireless Mechanic. He later applied for pilot training and was selected.

Above: Shepperd with P/O Pooch, the squadron bullterrier mascot.

Shepperd joined 152 Squadron at Acklington when it reformed on 1st October 1939. He claimed a Me109 destroyed on 25th July 1940, a Ju88 on 12th August, a Ju87 on the 18th and a Ju88 on 7th October.

He was killed on 18th October when his Spitfire, R6607, crashed at Tadnoll Mill, near Dorchester from unknown causes, though there was poor visibility at the time.

Shepperd was 23 years old and is buried in Binstead Cemetery.