The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. S G Stuckey

Sydney George Stuckey, of Frenchay, Bristol, was born on 13th April 1915, the son of Sidney John (1883–1934) and Annie Florence Stuckey (nee Dodge 1887–1956).

His father, Sidney John Stuckey, had served in the First World War in the 5th Battalion, the Prince Consort's Own of the Rifle Brigade and was described as 'a talented military artist'.

A younger brother, Peter John Stuckey, was born in 1921 (see below).

The family moved to Richmond, London in 1927.

SG Stuckey joined the RAF in May 1933 as an Aircrafthand. He later applied for pilot training and was selected.

He was serving with 73 Squadron in France from the outbreak of war. On 25th January 1940 he engaged a He111 at 26,000 feet but his guns were frozen. Return fire damaged the propeller of his Hurricane N2364 but he was able to return safely.

Above : France 1940, L to R - P/O RF Martin, Stuckey, unknown.

Above : France 1940, Stuckey.

Posted back to England on 12th May 1940, Stuckey joined 213 Squadron at Biggin Hill in June. On 12th August 1940 Stuckey failed to return from an action over the Channel in Hurricane P2802.

He was 26 and is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 20.

Above image courtesy of Dean Sumner

Stuckey's father had died in 1934, his death hastened by his war service, and his mother was now left nearly destitute, a casualty of war just as much, if not more, than those serving (below).

Peter John Stuckey became a noted artist, specialising in aviation subjects. He depicted military and commercial craft at close quarters, including marine helicopters, historic biplanes and Concorde at Yeovilton in 1978.

He equally excelled at nautical drawing, creating images of sailing boats, tall ships and regattas, and authoring a handbook on Sailing Pilots of the Bristol Channel.

He graduated to American subjects such as the coastal views around Martha's Vineyard in New England and scenes in New York.