Tom Wharmby's crew biographies

Tom Wharmby's crew biographies

Four biographies of 199 Squadron servicemen killed in action, with notes regarding the inscriptions on their headstones.
Flying Officer Ronald Herman Downes Cook, wireless operator/ air gunner;
Sergeant Ronald Hughes, navigator;
Sergeant John Guyer Wilson, bomb aimer;
Sergeant Leonard Waldorf, pilot. The latter was born to a Jewish family and was killed in action on 12/13 May 1943 on Duisburg.

Four typewritten sheets

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MWharmbyT1236751-171018-010001, MWharmbyT1236751-171018-010002,
MWharmbyT1236751-171018-010003,
MWharmbyT1236751-171018-010004

Ronald Herman Downes Cook
Flying Officer of 199 Sqd
Wireless Operator Air Gunner.
Ronald was born 2st September 1912 in Weybridge Surrey to John William and Eva Annie.
He attended the local Schools in Weybridge, and was an active member of 1st Weybridge Scouts, then becoming appointed Scout Master in 1931, he continued scouting until the war.
Ronald enlisted in the RAF in September 1940 as Volunteer Reserve. He immediately began training as a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner. His training continued and he gained a temporary commission in August 1942. He was then assigned to 199 Sqd in November 1942.
He married Grace on the 26th July 1941 at St James Church Weybridge. They had very little time together as a married couple and never built the home they were planning.
Ronald flew a total of 244.70 hours with 199 Sqd.
Inscription on Ronald's headstone is
TO LIVE IN THE HEARTS OF THOSE WE LOVE IS NOT TO DIE.

Sgt Ronald Hughes
Age 20 of 199 Sqd 1450608
Navigator
Ronald was born in the Moss village situated near the town of Wrexham North Wales in 1923. He was the only Son of Elizabeth and Stanley.
Ronald was educated at Grove Park Grammar School in Wrexham where he excelled in numeracy and the sciences.
He completed his education with distinction before becoming employed by the Courtaulds Company in Holywell as a trainee Chemist.
Ronald volunteered to join the RAF as he was obsessed with flying, and felt he had a duty to serve his country.
His early flying training was carried out in Canada, he quickly became adapted to service life.
When Ronald was reported missing, the entire Family were in mourning, and were inconsolable with grief.
Inscription on Ronalds headstone is
HIS DUTY NOBLE DONE, GOOD GRANT HIM ETERNAL REST.

Sgt Leonard Waldorf
Age 20 of 199 Sqd 1383863
Pilot.
Leonard was born in Stoke Newington London, a Jewish family.
He was a wonderful sportsman and whatever sport he took up he won numerous trophies for table tennis, Football, Cricket and Golf.
He joined Imperial Airways in 1939/40 and then volunteered, though under age, for the RAF in early 1941. He then trained at the Polaris Flying Academy in Lancaster California USA in 1942.
When Leonard was reported missing, his Parents were anxious that if he was captured he would be tortured as he was a Jew.
The raid on 12th/13th May 1943 on Duisburg Germany was supposed to be his last mission.
Inscription on Leonards head stone is.
DEEPLY MOURNED AND SO SADLY MISSED BY HIS PARENTS AND BROTHER CHARLES.

Sgt John Guyer Wilson
Of 199 Sqd 1386132
Air Bomber
John was married and lived in Dagenham London. They had one Son David, John was killed 7 days before his Sons 200 Birthday.
David does remember standing next to him in the kitchen, and looked down at his buckles on his boots.