Platten Brothers
958563, Flight Sergeant (Observer) Denis John Platten, Age 24
97 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Died 09 June 1942
Flight Sergeant (Observer) 958563, 97 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 09/06/1942. Age 24.
Born 15th October 1917 at Highams Park, Essex, the eldest of two sons of John Henry Platten and his second wife Nellie Elizabeth nee Rogers. He also had two half brothers from John's first marriage to Emily Jane nee Russell who died in 1913. By 1939 John & Nellie were living at Chantry House, 59 Orwell Road, Felixstowe, Denis appears to have been in the Merchant Navy at this time.
97 Squadron reformed in February 1941 as a heavy-bomber squadron equipped with Avro Manchesters, converting to Lancasters in January 1942. In June 1942 the Squadron took part in the 1,000 bomber raids on Cologne, Essen and Bremen.
Flight Sergeant Platten was observer on Lancaster I R5495 when it took off from RAF Woodhall Spa at 2349 hrs 8th June 1942. They were among 170 aircraft that took off from various bases to bomb the city of Essen. When they failed to return & nothing was heard of them it was presumed they were hit by flak as no German fighter claimed the loss. All seven crew were lost & after being found are buried at the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
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Denis John Platten
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Grave at Reichswald Forest War Cemetery
Lancaster Bomber
170410, Pilot Officer Henry Walter Platten, Age 24
236 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Died 29 March 1944
Pilot Officer 170410, 236 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 29/03/1944. Age 24.
Born 1919 at Highams Park, Essex, the younger of two sons of John Henry Platten and his second wife Nellie Elizabeth nee Rogers. He also had two half brothers from John's first marriage to Emily Jane nee Russell who died in 1913. By 1939 John & Nellie were living at Chantry House, 59 Orwell Road, Felixstowe, Henry appears to have already enlisted at this time.
At the time of Pilot Officer Platten’s death, 236 Squadron was flying Beaufighters on anti-shipping patrols. Pilot Officer Platten (pilot) & Flying Officer Johnson (navigator) were among 9 aircraft from 236 squadron included in an attack on a convoy of vessels in the North Sea. Flying Beaufighter LZ290 (T) their plane was seen to be hit by a parachute bomb from a Messerschmitt BF109, the wing was cut off just outside the engine & sent the plane into a spin. One person was seen to leave the aircraft but the parachute only started to open as they hit the sea. Both men are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
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Henry Walter Platten
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
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Runnymede Memorial
Bristol Beaufighter