Air Mechanic (E) 1st Class FX 76481, Royal Navy, HMS Sparrowhawk. Died 20/06/1943. Age 27.

 

Born 23rd January 1916, the third of four children of Solomon Child & Ethel Winifred nee Lewcock. In early 1925  Solomon is recorded as living at "Summerlands" Bath Road, Felixstowe working as a motor engineer, the family appear to have also had property at Berners Street, Ipswich. In 1937 Solomon is listed as being at The Lodge, Trimley St Mary. They were living at Beech Lawn, Elton Park, Ipswich in 1939, Solomon being the director of a motor company - "Child & Sons". 

​

HMS Sparrowhawk was the Royal Naval Air Station at Hatston, near Kirkwall, Orkney Islands.

 

Serving with 830 Squadron, John an Air Mechanic 1st Class was a passenger on board a Barracuda II seaplane which crashed on the 20th June 1943. The Pilot, Sub Lt Richard John Chettle also died in the crash and another passenger, Air Mechanic Cyril Hudson Vernon died of his injuries. John is buried at St Peter & St Paul's church in Felixstowe.