7 Squadron - LEJ Davenport

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Davenport7
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7 Squadron - LEJ Davenport

Post by Davenport7 »

All,

I have done alot of research on my Grandad Leslie Ernest John Davenport. He volunteered for the RAF and was posted with 7 Squadron WW2. At the start of the war he was in training and flew in Wellington's then he was with 7 squadron at Oakington in Cambridge.
I am aware that he flew 13 missions before he was shot down on Sept 7th 1941 over Recklinghausen Germany, after a bombing raid to Berlin.
He flew with some men I will list below:

This was his regular crew:

F/O D.T Witt
Sgt. Boulton
P/O D.K Deyell
Sgt. Burrows
P/O Mills
Sgt Prentice

This is the crew he was shot down with: 7th September 1941. All were POWs.

F/sgt A Yardley
F/O C.M Hall
Sgt. J.H Boulton
Sgt J. Sutton
Sgt A. Speakman
Sgt D. Owens

I have been to the records office at Kew and found all about the raids he was on I know he was based at Bourn and Oakington with 7 Squadron saw active service with his 13 missions that I am aware off between february 1941 - September 1941. I am aware of the camps he was in.

I am interested whether anyone has photo's of squadron 7 (Aircrew and planes) or knows if any of the above airmen are still alive and how I could trace them?

I am aware that Dennis Witt went on to fly over 100 sorties and be awarded the DFC, DFM. Is he still alive??

My grandad was a navigator and front gunner. He went on raids such as Cologne, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Bethune (France), La Pallice (France), Borkum Seaplane base, hannover, Keil, Duisburg, Huls.

I am aware of the many books which some are in my posession but I would love to know whether any of these veterans are still about.

Look forward to any info that comes up.

Ian Davenport
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Re: 7 Squadron - LEJ Davenport

Post by K4KittyCrew »

Hi Ian,

I've sent off an 'post' to our good friends at the http://www.lancaster-archive.com/forum/ and will be sending one off to http://www.bombercrew.com/ a Canadian site.

Will follow up as details come to hand.
Regards,
John
K for Kitty Crew - Winthorpe, 1661 HCU's - stirlingaircraftsoc.raf38group.org/
630 Squadron - East Kirkby
" There is nothing glorious about war with the exception of those who served us so valiantly"
Davenport7
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Re: 7 Squadron - LEJ Davenport

Post by Davenport7 »

Many thanks for your efforts,

Hope it comes up with some results.

He was always with Squadron 7 from training to september 1941 where he was a POW for a further 3 and a half years, till he escaped early 1945 and met the American advance into Germany.

Cheers Ian
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Bruno
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Re: 7 Squadron - LEJ Davenport

Post by Bruno »

Hello,

You surely already know this but did you try to contact the 7 Squadron Association?
The 7 Squadron's Association website link is http://www.7squadronassociation.org
Regards.

Bruno
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