The Airmen's Stories - P/O R E N E Wynn

Richard Edward Ney Elias Wynn was born on 7th January 1917, the son of Group Captain Alfred Hearst Elias Wynn OBE and Evelyn Wynn.

He was at Wellington College from 1930 to 1934 but left early to spend a year at the Taft School, Connecticut USA under a scholarship scheme.

In early 1939 Wynn joined the RAFVR as an Airman u/t Pilot and was called up on 1st September.

249 Squadron in the bar at North Weald.

(L to R): F/O E Cassidy, P/O RENE Wynn, F/O PHV Wells, P/O ARF Thompson, P/O TF Neil, F/O S Woolmer (IO), Crossey (Eng. Off.)

He completed his training at 5FTS Sealand and was commissioned, going then to 6 OTU on 6th July 1940 to convert to Hurricanes. He joined 249 Squadron at Church Fenton on 4th August 1940. Wynn made a forced-landing near Whitchurch on the 31st, in Hurricane L2067, after engine failure during a routine patrol, he was unhurt.

After a combat with enemy fighters over Rochester on 2nd September Wynn crash-landed near Chartham, in Hurricane V7352, wounded.

After three months in hospital he rejoined 249 Squadron at North Weald but was killed on 7th April 1941, crashing at Langford Bridge Farm, Ongar, Essex. His Hurricane IIa Z2663 is thought to have entered a spin when returning to North Weald after a convoy patrol.

Wynn is buried in St Andrew's churchyard, North Weald Bassett.