The Airmen's Stories -LAC J P Wyatt

John Pile Wyatt of Melplash, Dorset, was born in December 1908, the son of Arthur Wyatt and Beatrice Susan Wyatt.

He attended Beaminster Grammar School.

Wyatt was the manager of the Palladium Cinema in Midsomer Norton when he joined the RAF in February 1940 as an Airman u/t Observer.

He completed his training and joined 25 Squadron at Martlesham Heath in late July 1940.

In the early evening of 15th September he was flying in Beaufighter R2067 with F/Lt. HMS Lambert and and F/O MJ Miley.

The aircraft crashed near Layhams Farm, NW of Biggin Hill at 6.20 pm and all three men on board were killed. It has never been established whether the crash was an accident or the result of enemy action. On that day Feldwebel Neuhoff of JG53 claimed a Blenheim destroyed but none was reported lost on the 15th.

Wyatt was 32. He is buried in Christ Church churchyard, Melplash.