The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. J E Woodgate

Joseph Eric Woodgate was born on 1st May 1915 in Burton-on-Trent, the son of Alexander and Florence Woodgate.

He joined the RAFVR about May 1939 as an Airman u/t Aircrew.

Called up on 1st September 1939, he completed his training and was serving as an Air Gunner with 141 Squadron, operating Defiants, in early July 1940.

He was posted away to 307 (Polish) Squadron at Kirton-in-Lindsey on 31st August.

Above images courtesy of www.102ceylonsquadron.co.uk/memWilliamWigham.html

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He married Beatrice May Waldron in October 1940 in Repton, Derbyshire.

Commissioned in July 1943, Woodgate was killed on 24th August 1943, as a Pilot Officer with 101 Squadron, operating in Lancasters from Ludford Magna.

Lancaster EE192 SR-Y was lost without trace on a sortie to Berlin.

Also lost were:

F/O JP Mahoney
P/O FE Phillips
P/O PJ Ryan
Sgt JW Lowe
Sgt DM Walder
Sgt AET Hill

Woodgate was 28 and is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 134.

Above image courtesy of Dean Sumner.