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The Airmen's Stories - F/Sgt. C Sydney

 

Charles Sydney, of St Mary Cray, Kent, was born on 22nd July 1915 in St. Pancras, the son of Harry Sydney (1882-1953) and Eliza Emily Sydney (nee Burgess 1882-1961).

He was educated at St. Mary Cray Council School then Bromley Council School.

He joined the RAF in 1931 as an Aircraft Apprentice. He later volunteered for pilot training and qualified before the war began.

He married Ellen Jane Mary Ryan in Southampton in January 1939.

 

 

With his training completed he was posted to No 1 AACU. From there he was posted to 54 Squadron at Hornchurch on 6th September 1939. Sydney moved to 66 Squadron at Duxford on 28th September. At some later date he went to 6 OTU Sutton Bridge as an instructor. On 18th August 1940 Sydney joined 19 Squadron at Fowlmere.

He moved to 266 Squadron at Wittering on the 24th and to 92 Squadron at Biggin Hill on 10th September. He probably destroyed a Me109 on the 15th.

He was shot down and killed on the 27th, crashing at Station Avenue, Walton-on-Thames in Spitfire R6767. The site has been marked by a plaque (below).

He was 25 and is buried in St Mary Cray Cemetery, Orpington, Kent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photographs courtesy of Dean Sumner.

 


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