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The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. J V Wadham

 

John Victor Wadham was born on 14th May 1919 in the Isle of Wight, the son of Victor Sidney Wadham and Lilian Olive Wadham.

He was educated at Ryde School and Newport Grammar School. Wadham worked as an apprentice with a furnishing firm in Southampton before joining the RAFVR in November 1938 as an Airman u/t Pilot.

 

 

Called up at the outbreak of war, Wadham completed his training at 5 FTS Sealand on No. 46 Course, which ran from 1st February to 26th June 1940.

He arrived at 7 OTU Hawarden on 1st July and after converting to Hurricanes joined 145 Squadron at Tangmere on 30th July. Wadham was attached to 601 Squadron, also at Tangmere, from 6th to 9th August, during which time he made several training flights. He then rejoined 145 Squadron, which had moved to Westhampnett.

Wadham was shot down and killed by Me109s over Hastings on 12th October. His Hurricane, V7426, crashed at Courseham Farm, Chittenden, near Cranbrook.

Wadham was 21 and is buried in Carisbrooke Cemetery, Newport, Isle of Wight.

 

 


 

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