The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. H J Wotton

Harold John Wotton, of Reading, Berkshire was born on 4th April 1920, the son of John Wotton and Daisy Mabel Wotton.

He was educated at Whitgift Middle School, Croydon.

He was working for 'Wireless Magazine' when he was called up on 1st September 1939. He completed his initial training at 15 EFTS Redhill and went on to 5 FTS Sealand for No. 47 Course, which ran from 29th April to 25th July 1940.

Above 234 squadron L to R: unknown, S/Ldr. MV Blake, Wotton.

Above image courtesy of Andrew Long.

Wotton arrived at 5 OTU Aston Down on 3rd August, converted to Spitfires and joined 234 Squadron at Middle Wallop on 19th August 1940.

Wotton was killed at St. Eval in an air raid on January 25th 1941. A parachute mine landed on an air raid shelter, killing 22 men.

He is buried in St Eval churchyard, Cornwall.

The other casualties were:

AC2 TW Allan 234 Squadron

AC1 WE Browning 234 Squadron

AC2 H Brough 217 Squadron

AC1 RP Colman 217 Squadron

AC2 A Doig

AC1 K Hampson

AC2 GE Hand 220 Squadron

AC1 GWS Hawkins

AC1 HL Jolly

AC2 R Kirk 236 Squadron

AC2 EF Martin 217 Squadron

AC2 WA McKay 236 Squadron

AC2 S Miller

P/O CW Noel

LAC E O'Dwyer 236 Squadron

LAC WD Oldroyd

AC2 FGE Penberthy 217 Squadron

P/O PL Stephens

AC2 L Willshaw

AC2 GF Woodbine

AC1 MAG Yost 217 Squadron