Sergeant (Air Gunner) 1398791, 78 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 23/06/1943. Age 19.

 

Born in Felixstowe in 1923, the eldest of two and only son of Eric Alfred Tuddenham and Ethel Kate nee Cumner. In 1939 the family were living at 12 Newry Avenue, Felixstowe where Eric was working as an accountant for Felixstowe Urban District Council. 

 

Sergeant Tuddenham was the air gunner on Handley Page Halifax II W7930. They took off at 2316 hrs 22nd June 1943 from Breighton on a mission to bomb Mulheim. The mission was successful but W7930 was hit by flak and crashed north of Veenendaal. 557 aircraft took part in this mission with a loss of 35. All seven crew were killed and are buried at Amersfoort (Oud Leusden) General Cemetery.

 

78 Squadron joined the front line bomber force in July 1940, flying Whitleys on night raids. Re-equipping with Halifax bombers in 1942, for the remainder of the European campaign, the squadron continued in this role.