The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. G A Whipps

George Albert Whipps was born on 15th January 1915, the son of Charles James Whipps and Elizabeth Whipps (nee Saunders) of Theydon Bois, Essex.

He was working as a Draughtsman in Cheltenham when he joined the RAFVR about December 1937 as an Airman u/t Pilot. Called up on 1st September 1939, he completed his training and joined 602 Squadron at Drem on 21st June 1940.

Whipps was shot down in combat with Me109s over Hailsham on 6th September and baled out, unhurt. His Spitfire, N3227, crashed and burned out at Pelsham Farm, Peasmarsh. On 29th October he claimed a Me109 destroyed.

In August 1941 Whipps was a Flight Sergeant instructor at 61 OTU, Heston. On the 26th he was with a pupil, Sgt. IL Jones RNZAF, in Master W8583. They were both killed when a Belgian pilot, Sgt. AOH Lambotte, landed his Spitfire X4835 on top of the Magister as it lined up on the runway.

Lambotte was killed on 6th November at Heston in a very similar collision.

Whipps is buried in St Mary's churchyard, Theydon Bois, Essex.