Robert Joseph's Story.
Northwich Guardian Friday JUN 04th 1943
Airman Missing, Believed Killed.
A Rudheath airman, Flight Sergeant Robert Duncan, has been reported "Missing, believed killed on May 29th". He is the son of Mr & Mrs R. Duncan of 40 Malam Drive, Rudheath, who recieved the news on Monday. Flight -Sergeant Duncan volunteered for the R.A.F. in 1940 when he was nineteen years of age. His 18 years old brother, Eric, is now serving in the Royal Navy. Before joining the R.A.F. Flight Sergeant Duncan was employed by I.C.I. at Winnington.
Northwich Guardian Friday SEP 03rd 1943
"Airman Buried at Sea"
Flight-Sergeant Robert Duncan, a Rudheath airman who was reported "Missing believed killed in May" is now known to have lost his life while patrolling with Coastal Command off Gibraltar and to have been buried at sea.
Flight Sergeant Duncan is the son of Mr & Mrs R.Duncan of 40 Malam Drive, Rudheath, and volunteered for the R.A.F. when he was 19 years of age.
Padre G.Mayfield(Chaplain to R.A.F. Gibraltar), in a letter to Mr & Mrs Duncan says "The aircraft in which he was flying evidently got into difficulties and came down in the sea. Although means of rescue were immediately put into action it was clear from the first that the crew was killed instantly the aircraft hit the water. The bodies were recovered the following day and the funeral took place one day later.
As is our custom the funeral was at sea, and was accompanied with full military honours. At the end of the simple moving service, the R.A.F. bugler sounded the "Last Post" and "Reveille" over the waters. The service took place just beyond the entrance to the bay. The hills of Africa and Spain were to the South and North, and the Rock of Gibraltar to the East. The sun shone brilliantly, and made the whole scene one of beauty and peace."
The letter ends "We know to well how only the finest and best can undertake the strain and hazardous duties of air crew and knew Flight-Sergeant Duncan to be a member of that very gallant company"
Many letters of sympathy from members of the squadron with whom he served have also been received by Mr & Mrs Duncan.
Flight-Sergeant Duncan before joining the R.A.F., was an employee of I.C.I. at Winnington. His younger brother, Eric is now serving with the Royal Navy.
Robert Joseph Duncan is recorded on the Northwich War Memorial and the ICI Lostock Works Memorial.
Flt Sergeant Robert Joseph Duncan was killed when the Beaufort aircraft DW991 of 1OADU (Overseas Aircraft Delivery Unit) of which he was wireless operator/gunner stalled during its approach to the runway.
Cheshire County Memorial Project would like to thank Elaine Hanson and her father, Roberts brother, for the picture and details.