The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. F D Tucker

Frank Day Tucker was born on 27th October 1919. He joined the RAFVR about June 1939 as an Airman u/t Observer. Called up on 1st September 1939, he completed his training at 3 B&GS on No. 6 Air Observer Course, which ran from 18th May to 1st July 1940. He was promoted from LAC to Sergeant at the end of the course.

Tucker went from B&GS to No. 1 (C) OTU Silloth after which he joined 236 Squadron at Thorney Island on 18th July 1940. He flew his first sortie with 236 on 13th August.

Normally Tucker flew with the CO, S/Ldr. GW Montagu. On 21st December 1940 Tucker was off duty and went to Newquay for the afternoon. Shortly afterwards the CO telephoned to place Tucker on standby for a sortie and was told he had left the camp. The two standby observers tossed a coin to see who would go.

Blenheim IV R3878 then took off for a reconnaissance sortie over Brest but was shot down. Montagu, P/O GH Hannan and Sgt. DR Briggs were all killed.

Commissioned in February 1941, Tucker left 236 Squadron in April.

His subsequent service is currently undocumented until he was released from the RAF in 1946 as a Flight Lieutenant.

Tucker died on 29th May 1982.