Preface

Whilst undertaking family research, I discovered that my second cousin was a fighter pilot who participated in the famous "Battle of Britain", therefore one of Churchill’s “FEW”

Not having his first name I could not pinpoint the right person I suspected that it was P.O. Cecil "Charlie" Reginald Young but could not confirm this as no documents, even Charlie's death certificate, recorded his parent's names.

The Davidson and Young families lost contact with each other, when at the fall of Singapore in 1942, Margaret Young had fled to the safety of Western Australia, where her younger son, Robert, was studying.

Through the Battle of Britain site Forum I made contact with Charlie Young, Charlie's great nephew and he confirmed that I had the right person. Working together we have gathered the information shown in this website.

Great anticipation was soon dashed – P.O. Cecil "Charlie" Reginald Young 42372, did not have much written about him, some snippets and what there was, in some instances, was inaccurate including the crash site. Even the CWGC site did not list his parents making it hard for anyone undertaking research on his RAF career. It is our pleasure in informing you and to thank the CWGC, who have now updated their records by adding Charlie's parents name and his age and will add his age on his headstone the next time it is replaced.

CWGC record of Pilot Officer Cecil R. Young.

As a young man of twenty who, in mid 1940 announced his engagement to Beryl M Pockett the senior WAAF officer at Tangmere he must have been looking forward to returning to his home in Malaya with his new bride after the war. It was understood that he had been enquiring into a transfer to the Far East to be nearer to his family. Given that his father spent over three and a half years as a Japanese POW, he may have had to face another more vicious enemy.

After almost a year of combat duties he had given the ultimate sacrifice, his life, for his country.

Growing Up

Cecil Reginald Young was born on the 20th January 1920 to British parents Robert Guy Young and Margaret Ann Davidson, in the European Hospital, Kuala Lumpur. Malaya.

Robert a lieutenant in the newly formed Royal Air Force was based at East Fortune, where he met Margaret. They married in Edinburgh, Scotland on the 20th January 1919. Shortly after, in June 1919, Robert was repatriated and returned to Malaya with his new bride.

Photograph of Charlie with his parents and brother Robert - from Young family collection.

Cecil grew up at his parents Karak Estate, Bentong, Pahang, with his younger brother Robert A Young.

At thirteen years of age, Cecil or "Charlie" as he preferred to be called left Malaya to attend Felsted School in Essex, England.

School Years

At school, Charlie was an outstanding athlete: he is recognised in the Felsted Sporting Hall, with his name on the 1936 Cricket Team and the 1937 Hockey Team.

He also showed his talent in Rugby, Tennis and Fives (a type of hand-tennis).

From 1934 to 1937 Charlie attended Corporal School, Officers Training Corps.

Joining the Royal Air Force

Photograph of Charlie at flying School Charlie is centre of back row - from Young family collection.

After finishing his schooling, Charlie like many other young men, saw the glamour and attraction in the art of flying. He applied for a medical check and was classified 'Fit as pilot' on May 4 1939.

Charlie then applied for a short term (6 year) commission in the R.A.F and joined Civilian Flight School Gatwick on May 30. From then on,he was classed as Acting P/O on probation. He remained at Gatwick until July 22 1939.

On Aug 8 1939, after two months at the Flying School, Charlie was sent to No.11 Flying Training School, No.13 Course, 23 Group at Shawbury.

Photograph of Charlie at Shawbury Charlie is in the centre of the group - from Young family collection.

Finally on Oct 25 1939, Charlie was authorized to wear his Flying Badge. By then, Charlie had flown a range of different aircraft, the Hawker Audax, Hart, Hind and the Magister.

On completion of his training (Jan 27 1940), the following paragraph was written by the examiner at No.11 F.T.S. :

Grounded subject to below average, lazy and comparatively low intelligence. An average pilot but lacks concentration. Shows poor sense of responsibility.

Although this comment seems to downgrade Charlie, it was a typical one made by instructors who were very harsh before WW2 broke out. (In the late 1930s, flying was still considered more of a sport or fashion than a way to wage war).

Despite this, Charlie passed comfortably with a final mark of 70.1%.

First Posting

On Feb 1 1940, Charlie was graded as acting P/O on probation at No. 11 Group Pool, St. Athan. This marked the beginning of his air force career. Unfortunately due to bad weather Charlie did not get any flying here.

Almost immediately, on Feb 3, Charlie was posted to 601 Squadron based at RAF Tangmere to make room for Finnish pilots selected to be trained and fly twelve Hurricanes to Finland.

Extract from No 11 Group Pool ORB

Feb 3
Following pupils posted away in order to give room for 12 Finnish Pilots being received for training on Hurricanes.
P/O. Blackford. P.F, P/O Cookson. C, P/O. Fenton. H.C.F, P/O. Stephens. M.M, P/O. Young. C.R, P/O. Richards. W.P,
P/O. Dryden. K.C, P/O. Oelope. J.R.S, P/O. Evens. D, P/O. Upton. H.C.

601 Squadron

From the 601 Squadron (Operational Record Book) ORBs we find that Charlie was busy building his hours and honing his flying skills with Hurricanes.

The ORBs tell us that in the early days of April he was practicing his basic aircraft handling skills, taking off and landing several times a day.

The ORBs also shows that in the latter days of April and into May he was learning the skills of war including live firing, high altitude flying, night landing and formation flying. All of these skills were to be put into practice sooner than thought.

On May 10, war broke out in France.

Extracts of 601 Sqn ORBs showing flights taken by Charlie during his time with the squadron.

Going to France

On the May 13, Charlie is transferred to 615 Squadron Air Component British Expeditionary Force in France.

On Tuesday May 14, the R.A.F reinforcement Hurricanes and their pilots continued to arrive at various bases in France.

Five landed at Merville to serve in 615 Squadron; these were P/O V.B.S. Verity, P/O J.E.M. Collins and P/O M. Revenhill from 'B' Flight, 229 Squadron. Flight Officer Leonid Ereminsky from 151 Squadron (the latter a White Russian) and P/O C.R. Young from 601 Squadron.

Photograph of Charlie in France Charlie has the scarf on - from Young family collection.

It is not clear if Charlie was transferred or seconded to 615 Squadron as the 601 Squadron ORB shows Charlie taking Hurricane L1987 to France. Pilots were being used to shuttle aircraft to France but due to high number of losses of both men and aircraft, those shuttle pilots were being seconded, and Charlie may have been one of them.

The last entry found for Charlie in the 601 Squadron ORB shows him on patrol into France in Hurricane L1918 on May 22, two days after returning from France.

615 Squadron in France

Unfortunately there is no surviving ORBs for the 615 Squadron in France. There was a summary compiled and the details below were taken from this.

During the period of May 10 to May 20 615 Squadron maintained 12 Gladiators, fully operational, for aerodrome defence and two of 615 Squadron's pilots were supplied to other aerodromes for this duty.

The next day, the May 15 'A' wing of 615 Squadron flew to Vitry where they refueled and waited for further orders.

They then joined with 5 Hurricanes from 'B' Flight of 607 Squadron to escort a dozen Blenheims which were to bomb bridges over Meuse.

When they set out they were met by Bf110C and Bf109s from StabIII/JG53.

In the afternoon three patrols from 615 Squadron reported encounters with Hs126 reconnaissance machines.

A section of Hurricanes carried out low-level patrol north-west of Gemblous at 15:00 attacking several German barrage balloons.

615 Squadron was ordered to move northward into Belgium.

on May 16 615 Squadron from Vitry moved North across the Belgium border to Moorsele, a small civilian airfield east of Countrai.

Shortly after take off newly attached P/O Grassick attacked what he believed to be a Ju88, which turned out to be a Blenheim, which crash landed after the attack.

The remainder of the squadron from Abbeville joined them at Moorsele.

In the thick of it

615 Squadron immediately flew patrols from its new base. At 15:00 nine Hurricanes led by F/L Leslie T.W.Thornley went on escort to a 4 Squadron Lysander. Near Tirlemont the formation was bounced by Bf109s of II/JG26 and F/L Thornley was shot down and killed.

P/O Thompson was shot down but parachuted out but was taken POW. P/O Brian Young was also shot down and his machine crashed near Essene,

P/O Brian Young bales out although badly burned and was further wounded from ground fire from British soldiers. P/O Grassick was the only member of the Squadron to make a claim one of the attackers. The Lysander was also shot down.

May 17 saw 615 squadron busy from early morning operating from the advanced airfield in Moorsele. 3 sections each of three aircraft departed at 05:30 and were soon in action.At about 09:30 another section of 615 Squadron encountered a Ju88 which was shot down.

Three consecutive patrols by 615 Squadron failed to meet enemy aircraft.

May 18 was a relatively quiet day, apart for a brief skirmish, in conjunction with 32 Sqn, also based at Moorsele, against KG1 Heinkels. The only other patrol of note undertaken by 615 Squadron during the day was when two Hurricanes of the attached 245/A flight had become separated and lost.

P/O Pennington and Yapp landed near Dunkirk, they returned to Moorsele next day.

On May 19, still operating from Moorsele, 615 Squadron carried out a number of uneventful patrols during the day. At 19:40 a section of four reported sighting hostile aircraft an estimated fifteen Bf109s from 9/JG26.

F/O Eyre claimed two Bf109s. F/O Pexton shot down between Arras and Cambrai, pilot wounded and baled out.

Last day

May 20 was to be 615 squadron's last day in France.

They were very active during the day following their early arrival at Norrent-Fontes with thirteen Hurricanes and the Magister.

Three hours later at 08:00 the squadron mounted an offensive patrol over Lille, while a section maintained a defensive patrol of the airfield.

615 squadron provided three aircraft to take part in a composite formation, which was to attack the German advance along the Cambria-Arras road.

Three hours later at 16:00 a section from 615 Squadron patrolled Arras-Douai-Lens, met 12 He111s.

Two were shot down claimed by S/L Kyall and P/O Hugo.

Apart from the two He111 claimed by Kyall and Hugo at 13:00 P/O Verity claimed a Ju88 and P/O Pennington claimed a Bf110.

P/O Verity's aircraft was damaged and it crash-landed at Norrent-Fontes, he was unhurt.

Orders were received in the evening to evacuate Norrent-Fontes.

Going Home

Nine Hurricanes of 615 Squadron and four of 607 Squadron escorted a Departing SABENA SM73P to RAF Kenley.

Three operationally unserviceable Hurricanes of 615 Squadron were returned to Kenley independently as did at least four of the squadron's Gladiators.

Although 615 Squadron ORBs were lost on their evacuation from France we know from 607 Squadron research sources, that on joint patrols with 615 Squadron, Charlie was mentioned, although no confirmed combats have been found to date.

Of the nine hurricanes flown back to R.A.F. Kenley, Charlie flew one of them.

Back In England

615 Red Section Scramble by Barry Weekley.

As Previous stated Charlie is recorded on patrol with 601 Squadron on May 22. His movement record shows two entries for joining the 615 Squadron, May 13 and May 27.

On May 30 1940, Charlie receives his commission as a Pilot Officer (acting)for the duration of the war.

During the month of June Charlie was engaged in carrying out extended patrols into France with flying times in the range of 2, 3 to 4+ hours.

On 9 June on an offensive mission with 111 and 601 Squadrons, they did not encounter any enemy but witnessed Rouen in flames.

On 12 June with 111 Squadron they do encounter enemy aircraft but nothing recorded for P/O Young.

On June 15 Charlie was involved in an uneventful escort of a convoy of ships.

One 26 June after a very uneventful reconnaissance flight to France flying Hurricane P2966, the following is recorded in the 615 Squadron ORB:

Returning from Patrol Pilot Officer Young's wheel came off on landing - machine badly damaged, but Pilot unhurt.

On 27 June after an uneventful patrol, escorting Blenheims on photographic duties, in the afternoon His Majesty the King visited 615 Squadron to decorate S/L J.R. Kyall D.S.C. and F/L J.G. Sanders with their D.F.Cs. He spoke to the remaining officers on parade and stayed for tea.

1st Combat Record

Charlie's patience finally paid off when on June 30 whilst on bomber escort to the Abbeville-Merville area, in hurricane P3380, at 1145 hours, he claimed a Me 109 shot down over the Merville Area. Unfortunately, this kill was not confirmed but it was the first recorded for Charlie.

Red sector consisted :
S/Ldr. Kayll, P/O. Young, P/O. Mudie, F/Lt. Gaunce, P/O. Montgomery, P/O. Hugo,
F/Lt. Sanders, P/O. Lofts, P/O. Evans, F/O. Giddings, P/O. Roberts

Charlie wrote in his combat report:

Approaching Merville at 12000ft about 2000ft above Blenheim bombers. The section leader gave “Tally Ho Starboard” We dived down on 3 Me 109's. I myself attacked one just as it had begun its attack on the last Blenheim of the formation. I opened fire at 300 yards - at the same moment the Blenheim caught fire. I then closed into about 50 yards. Bits flew off the enemy machine and a large column of smoke issued forth as it went into a vertical dive towards the ground. Ammunition exhausted I turned towards home and was chased by another 3 Me 109s and was forced to land at Martlesham Heath.

The official ORB records:

Eleven Aircraft left for HAWKINGE at 0925 hours, from there they escorted 12 Blenheims with 111 Squadron on a bombing raid to MERVILLE. Three Blenheims missing. All our machines returned safely. Our bombers were attacked by Me. 109s with whom we engaged.
Results:- 4 -inconclusive.

Into the Battle of Britain

After this encounter, Charlie experienced another lull right up to and into the Battle of Britain.

Charlie wrote to his parents on July 4 from Kenley aerodrome:

Well, I expect you all know about the situation at home nowadays. At the moment we're working terribly hard, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week more or less. The chief thing as far as we're concerned is lack of sleep. They've started bombing over here now, yesterday we were bombed. 8 bombs were dropped but only two hit the aerodrome doing no damage at all. Needless to say the two aeroplanes responsible didn't get back. We're expecting the real "BlitzKreig" as far as this country is concerned to begin any day now, we're all ready for them so all I say is good luck to them.

Extracts of 615 Sqn ORBs showing flights taken by Charlie during June and July with the squadron.

We know from the ORBs that Charlie was on patrol or interception duties during the early days of the Battle of Britain. His first success is on 14 Aug, Charlie was one of many of 615 Squadron to claim a Dornier 17 damaged over the Dungeness area, 1830 hours.

Just two days later, on Aug 16, Charlie confirmed his first kill over the Brighton area at 1710 hours.
The aircraft destroyed was a Heinkel 111. On that same sortie, Charlie also confirmed an aircraft damaged, also a He 111.
These two aircraft where part of a formation of He 111 bombers and an escort of Me.110s attacking around Sussex at the time.

From the “Battle of Britain” by Norman Franks the following account is given:

Hurricanes of 615 Squadron were in evidence during a raid near Brighton at 1615 hours. Pilot Officer JAP McClintock attacked one He111 he found out of formation. He opened fire from 300 yards closing in to 50. The Heinkel's starboard engine began to pour out smoke followed by flames, then it went down. Pilot Officer C R Young attacks two others, one of which he left smoking. The second, hit by a long burst, went down into the cloud and Young followed it. Coming out he fired again from 100 yards. The bomber levelled out at sea level, streaming smoke, but a third burst sent it crashing into the sea leaving a large green swirl in the water.

On Aug 18, the day Kenley airfield was almost completely destroyed; Charlie confirms a Dornier 215 shot down over the Kenley area at 1345 hours. Again in the same sortie he claims a Bf109 probably destroyed.

Wrongly recorded combat

On Aug 20 it is widely thought that a Do215 destroyed at Herne Bay 1500 hours was by S/L J.R. Kayll and shared with P/O B.P. Young.
P/O B.P. Young, who was shot down in France was still recovering and was not with the 615 Squadron at this time.

From the 615 ORB for that day gives the following account is given:

12 aircraft left Kenley at 14.15 hours to patrol Tenterden and intercepted DO17s near Herne bay. S/l. Kyall attacked a DO17 and Pilot Officer Young finished it off the enemy crashing near Eastchurch.

It can be seen why the identity error occurred but from Charlie's own combat records, held at Kew, it is confirmed that it was in fact P/O C.R. Young, the official records have been changes.

Unusual record

During the remaining days of August 615 Sqn was kept busy with Charlie in the thick of it. There is no further accounts of his actions during these sorties but one incident on Aug 24, which Charlie may have witnessed is worth noting:

In the afternoon at 15.30 hours there was another air raid warning and squadron sighted 15 HE 111s at Thameshaven about 15.50. S/L. Kayll shot down one which P/O. McClintock finished off. It crashed near Hornchurch where P/O. McClintock landed and met the German pilot. The crew were taken prisoners and the aircraft destroyed.

This account of the incident account related courtesy of Peter Cornwall

9./KG53 Heinkel He111H-3. Port engine disabled by AA fire during sortie to bomb Hornchurch airfield, then set alight under attack by S/L J.R. Kayll and P/O J.A.P. McClintock of No.615 Squadron. Belly-landed at Fairclay Field, Clay Tye Hill, Bulphan, 3.50 p.m. Bomb-load later exploded. BO Lt Willy Lüttigen, BF Uffz Oskar Lackner and FF Fw Alfred Fraas captured unhurt. HS Uffz Karl Platzer and BS Uffz Herbert Hernaus captured wounded. Aircraft A1+KT 100% write-off.

Well earned rest

On Aug 29 signal was received moving the 615 Squadron pilots to Prestwick in Scotland to rest and re-equip. They left Kenley at 14.00 hours flying north.

The night before Charlie had flown to Tangmere for a short visit, presumably to see Beryl.

On Sep 5 S/L Kayll flew to Turnhouse for lunch and obtained permission for two pilots to go on leave.

On Sep 6 P/O Evens and P/O Young proceeded on 7 days leave.

Extracts of 615 Sqn ORBs showing flights taken by Charlie during August with the squadron.

Love and War

Photograph of Beryl M. Pockett - from the Young family collection.

It is also likely, whilst with the 601 squadron at Tangmere, Charlie met Beryl M Pockett, the senior WAAF officer on the base. It is not know exactly when the got engaged but we do know that when Charlie was posted to France, it was Beryl who looked after his dog "Henry".

Beryl was a well known international golfer before the war, so they could had met before the war but we have no proof that this was the case.

We do have from Charlie's old School's newsletter "The Felstedian", dated July 1940, the following announcement :

The engagement is announced between Pilot Officer Charles R Young and Miss Beryl M Pockett, daughter of Mr and Mrs Mansell Pockett,of Worthing.

We have not been able to find out much more about Charlie and Beryl time together. Beryl's family have not been able to confirm their engagement but the know that Beryl looked after a pilot's dog "Henry" who remained with the family after Beryl married Flying Officer Gordon Green in 1942.

We believe it was Charlie's intention to get back to Malaya with his new wife. We do know that Beryl kept in touch with the Young family after the fall of Singapore 1942 as seen from this telegram sent to Charlie's younger brother Robert in March 1942.

Beryl's Telegram - from the Young family collection.

Guess it was a bad "p"

Photograph of Beryl with Henry - courtesy of Beryl's daughter Penny.

Photograph of Charlie and Henry at Tangmere - note the same pose - from the Blackadder collection.

Back to the Conflict

'A' flight 607 Squadron at Tangmere Charlie leaning on wing - from the Blackadder family collection

While on leave, on Sep 13, Charlie is transferred to 607 Squadron based at Tangmere.
607 Squadron spent most of the Battle of Britain at its home base (Usworth) re-equipping but in September 1940 it returned south to take part in the Battle.

On the Sep 15 along with P/O Evens, Charlie joins 607 Squadron.

It is Sep 18 before Charlie flies his first sortie with 607 Squadron, an early evening patrol around Kenley, Biggen Hill with nothing seen.

Between Sep 19 and 24 in a similar pattern, sees Charlie flies further sorties without and sightings or interceptions.

On Sep 24 enemy aircraft are spotted escaping in distance but not intercepted. Again on Sep 25 an enemy aircraft is sighted but not intercepted.

Finally on Sep 26, 607 Squadron were at last in action against enemy aircraft attacking various targets around Southampton, two enemy aircraft destroyed and one damaged.

Sept 27 & 28 was again back to sorties without sighting enemy, then in afternoon whilst on patrol the squadron see enemy aircraft 4 miles east of Seley and when investigation they are attacked, combat followed and F/O Gore and F/O Evens were attacked and reported missing. Charlie was not flying in this sortie.

Sep 29 in the afternoon Charlie on patrol, enemy aircraft is sighted but no interception.

On Sept 30 Charlie is involved in earlier sorties with nothing seen, Later in the day the squadron is in action but on this occasion Charlie is not with them.

Only success with 607 Sqn

Charlie finally succeeded in damaging a Me 110 over West Needles on Oct 1, 1045 hours when the squadron were engaged in dogfights with 3 formations of about 40 enemy aircraft. His is the only enemy damage recorded for that day, but the Squadron lost P/O Bowen and Sgt Brumby.

Charlie gives details of the encounter in his combat report as follows:

I was Red 2 and Red section went into line astern of Blue section and carried out a head-on attack. I attacked the right hand E.A which turned off to the left and gave me an astern attack of about 200 yards. I fired two long bursts and the port engine of the 110 was seen to catch fire, at which time I was myself hit by another Me 110 who was on my tail and this caused me to head away. I saw first Me. 110 dive down towards sea but could not observe final outcome.

On Oct 2 Charlie was again on patrol but nothing seen.

There are no further reports of Charlie patrolling with 607 Squadron.

On Oct 7 whilst the squadron was on patrol two hurricanes collided, P/O Scott was able to bail out but P/O Difford was killed.

On Oct 10 607 Squadron aircraft, pilots and staff moved from RAF station Tangmere to RAF Station Turnhouse, by air, road and rail.

46 Sqn

Spending only six days at Turnhouse on Oct 16 Charlie was transferred to 46 Squadron, based at Stapleford Tawney for flying duties.

From the 46 Squadron Operations Record Book :

STAPLEFORD Oct 18 Four new Pilots were to-day posted to the Squadron for flying duties; they were P/O C.R. YOUNG, P/O F SURMA, P/O HEDLEY and P/O P.G. LEGGETT.

On Oct 27 from the 46 Squadron ORB it is recorded

P/O Young, of "B" flight, stated he saw two He 113's at 1030 hours flying due east, camouflaged pale blue on top with what appears to be white crosses on the wings. He fired at long range without effect.

46 Squadron B Flight before take off Charlie third left in flying jacket - picture by P/O Karel Mrazak - courtesy of RAF Museum REF. L88.

B Flight comprised : F/Lt N.W. Burnett, P/O W.B. Pattullo, P/O C.R. Young, Sgt R.F. Sellers and Sgt R. E. de Cannart d'Hamale (Belgian). Sgt Sellers was the only one to survive in this photograph.

This is the last record we have of Charlie's Battle of Britain combats.

Although the Battle of Britain official stop date was October 31st 1940 it was by no means the end of the conflict.

Final days with 46 Sqn

On Nov 1 whilst on patrol the following incident occurred as detailed in intelligent report:

The Squadron was vectored from Maidstone to the coast. P/O Young (Green 2) searching in the rear of the squadron at 20,000 feet when over DEAL-DOVER area sighted five aircraft flying in a S.E. direction and sent this information on the R/T to Red Leader. A minute later he sighted three others flying in the same direction in a wide loose "vic" formation. The information he also conveyed to Red Leader, but neither of these reports were clearly received or understood by Red Leader. P/O. Young broke away and chased a three-engined aircraft flying at 12,00 feet 20 miles to sea off DEAL, succeeding in disabling the port engine. However, the aircraft was able to continue its journey on the remaining two engines. NO return fire was experienced from the aircraft attacked but cross fire from other two aircraft in this formation was very inaccurate. These enemy aircraft were obviously Italian and after studying the features described by P/O. Young they would appear to have been SAVIOA MARCHETTIS. Roundals were seen on the fuselage and wings.

Charlie's own combat report is similar, he was flying Hurricane V6916 the attack being 1625 hours.

As blue three of the search section I spotted five aircraft going SE about 8000ft below. I called up the leader and reported but they were too far off. One minute later I noticed three more going South-East, reported to the leader but got no reply so broke away in chase. I caught up with enemy aircraft about 20 miles out to sea flying in very wide vic formation. I attacked the port machine sighting on the port engine which was put out of action. But this enemy aircraft managed to proceed with and of the other two. I received cross fire from the other two aircraft which was very inaccurate. No return fire from the machine attacked.

From Italian records we know that twenty-six Fiat G.50s of 20 Gruppo, Regia Aeronautica flew a sweep over Canterbury that afternoon, meeting violent anti-aircraft fire near Folkestone, while thirty-nine Fiat CR.42s of 18 Gruppo swept over Ramsgate, Canterbury and Dover. These aircraft would have been the fighter escorts; however, no combats were recorded.

As per the Operation Record Book on 8th November 1940, 11.30 hours the 46 Squadron moved to the North Weald sector Charlie again flew V7594. This is where Charlie remained until his death.

46 Squadron at North Weald Charlie third left in flying jacket - picture by P/O Karel Mrazak - courtesy of RAF Museum REF. L88.

In the Photograph is L-R : P/O C.F. Ambrose-DFC, P/O E.S.Vincir (intelligence), P/O C.R. Young, P/O P.G. Leggett, P/O P.R.McGregor and P/O P.W. Lefevre.

From Nov 9 it would appear that Charlie went on leave as there are no records of him flying again until Nov 19

The following incident was recorded for the 19th Nov 1940 :

A patrol was carried out by the Squadron but the weather closed in and pilots were obliged to land away from the base. Four landed at ROCHFORD, three at EASTCHURCH, and one at MARTLESHAM HEATH. P/O YOUNG landed in a field near MALDON and SGT. PARROTT force landed at WYE, ASHFORD, both through lack of petrol. There were no casualties.

Up until the end of November due to poor weather, there was limited flying most days. Charlie is seen on patrol Nov 24, 28, and 329 without incident. The first few days of December fog and poor visibility prevented much flying.

Dec 5 1940

Getting Transported to Dispersal you can see the strain in Charlie's face - picture by P/O Karel Mrazak - courtesy of RAF Museum REF. L88.

In this image Charlie is with P/O P.W. Lefevre.

On Dec 5 1940 at 0950 the squadron led by F/L Rabagliati took of to patrol the Maidstone Line with 249 Sqn in the lead, later they went 10 miles out to sea over Dungeness.

There is no record of any action that day although it is believed that they were chasing a German formation out to sea on his way back to base Charlie at about 11.25 he was jumped and seen to go into an uncontrollable dive and crash at Homestall Lane (Nash Farm), Boughton, Faversham, Kent.

It is likely that Charlie's aircraft was attacked and shot down by a Luftwaffe pilot, Oberleutnant Kurt Ebersberger of 4/JG26 who claimed a Hurricane shot down near Rochester on the 5th of December at 1220 hours (German time).

The Air Historical Branch (RAF) gives this circumstantial report from the Officer Commanding 46 Sqn dated 11 Dec 1940 stating :

46 Squadron was on operational patrol over Maidstone Line on 5.12.40 when P/O Young's machine was seen to go into a dive, apparently out of control. The pilot was found to have been shot in the head, although the aircraft was seen to go into a dive, no enemy aircraft were discovered.

Their records show that the wreckage was recovered by the RAF at the time.

We have the obituary from Charlie's old School's newsletter "The Felstedian" :

C.R. Young (E,33-37) Pilot Officer, RAF

Cecil Young was in Elwyn House from 1933 to 1937. With a fine Physique and an exceptional aptitude for games, he became a triple colour and one of the outstanding athletes of his year. He joined the R.A.F. on the outbreak of the war; in December last his fighter squadron chased a German formation out to sea, and on returning a Messerschmitt dived on him out of the clouds and shot him down. He was killed instantaneously by a bullet wound in the head.

Possible witness Account of Crash

I received the following account from Mr R.T. Philpott which crashed at Brentley Wood not Homestal Lane, but the recovery crew would not have known this.

I would have been 9 years old at the time and as far as I can remember, this hurricane, one of a squadron, was flying in a direction from London to Dover. At the time I was in school playground, suddenly a ME109 came out of the clouds, there was a short burst of fire followed by one plane pealing away from the squadron in what I would describe as a leaf falling down it certainly didn't nose dive. The condition of the aircraft which landed in a cherry tree, was confirmation of this. An old school friend has a slightly different version, he was playing truant that day, and is sure they were flying in the opposite direction.

There were rumours that the pilot was an Australian squadron leader.

Although we cannot be certain this was Charlie's aircraft it is so close to where the official crash was reported to have happened that it is likely.

Maps detailing crash sites This shows where the aircraft crashed and you can see it is a continuation of Homestal Lane on old map.

Success Summary

These are the records of Charlie's success for the year.

As previously stated Kurt Ebersberger of JG26 may have been responsible for Charlie's death and just prior to this JG26 was attacked and suffered the following casualties: Heinemann killed, Menge wounded and one aircraft damaged. It has not been established who attacked JG26 and no-one made claims? Could members of 249 & 46 Squadron have made that attack? Did those who engaged JG26 not reach their base ? - therefore no claims made! We will never know for sure but I would like to think Charlie had some measure of success prior to his own demise.