John Courtney's Story.
John Courtney Comyn was born in 1911 the son of Frederick Arthur Comyn and Blanche Comyn. He married Dalzie Griffiths in 1942 and she is recorded as living at Upton Park Chester
He joined RAFVR as a navigator number 12807071 and was killed on 7th May 1943. He is buried in Tripoli War Cemetery. He was the younger brother of Frederick Arthur Comyn KIA 19th October 1915 (q.v.)
The following is taken from Royal Air Force Commands forum pages.
No.70 Sqn.
Wellington HZ247
Took off 2050, Gardabia West, to bomb enemy concentrations on roads south-east of Tunis. The aircraft returned with engine trouble and the Captain contacted base by R/T to get instructions re the jettison of bombs. He was instructed to jettison half the load 5 miles east of the Landing Ground, which he did.
On returning to base the aircraft made a circuit and the engines appeared to be running normally. The aircraft was given the green light and it was acknowledged. Ongoing cross wind to the upward end of the flare path, the aircraft was seen to dive losing considerable height. The aircraft then leveled and continued at the same height of approx 600 feet, until on the cross wind leg downwind of the flare path. It was then seen to lose more height and continued to fly on at extremely low altitude until it hit the ground and exploded. It crashed 3 miles from the flare path and was completely destroyed. The accident occurred at 2156 hours.
AUS402959 F/Sgt (Captain/Pilot) Allan Roderick McFARLANE RAAF +
R/85471 WO1 (2nd Pilot) Ira Irvin KLIMAN RCAF +
1287071 Sgt (Nav/B.) John Courtney COMYN RAFVR +
979599 Sgt (W.Op./Air Gnr.) Basil SHERRY RAFVR +
1005744 Sgt (W.Op./Air Gnr.) George POPPLESTON RAFVR +
1350296 Sgt (Air Gnr.[Rear]) D A SMITH RAFVR - Survived crash.
The dead are buried in Tripoli War Cemetery. Coll. grave 8. F. 3-7.
http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?7124-Sgt-B-Sherry-RAFVR-70-Sqn&p=81253#post81253
Researched and submitted by Mike Akerman Cheshire Villages Great War Society