The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. C Wilcock

Charles Wilcock was born in 1921 in Atherton, Lancashire, the son of Gilbert and Annie Wilcock. His father appears in the 1939 register as a screen room chargeman at a coal mine.

C Wilcock joined the RAF in May 1939 as an Aircrafthand. He later remustered as an Airman u/t WOp/AG and after completing his training he joined 248 Squadron in mid-July 1940.

He flew with F/O EH McHardy from September 1940 until he was posted away from 248 Squadron in July 1941 when the squadron converted to Beaufighters.

Above: with 248 squadron in 1940

(L to R) Sgt. Wilcock, Sgt. IR Sims, P/O EH McHardy

He was commissioned in July 1941 and by May 1942 was serving with 62 (GR) Squadron, operating in Hudsons from Dum Dum over the Bay of Bengal.

Wilcock was killed on 21st May 1942 when Hudson AM941, on a sortie to attack the Japanese airfield at Akyab, was shot down near Chittagong, the wreckage was later washed up on the shore near Chambri.

Sgt. Maj. Yoshito Yasuda claimed the Hudson.

According to The Lancashire Herald Wilcock’s parents were not informed until 5th April 1943 that he was presumed dead through air operations.

Also lost were:

F/O Raymond Aubrey Coates
F/O Paul Eyre Springman
Sgt. Terence John Yarr

Wilcock was 20 and is commemorated on the Singapore Memorial, Column 413 (below).