Thank you SimonSpitfire for highlighting this sad story and forumites please read as it is a fascinating but tragic story.

Unfortunately one of my uncles disappeared over the English Channel on 12 Feb 1942 (Channel Dash) in a 49 Sqn Hampden some 2 months from joining the Sqn and only 19 year old. My mother never got over the loss. One of his brothers survived as an Officer in the Royal Regiment of Artillery and the other a JNCO in the RAF Servicing Commando Units (MiD) then an Officer in the Royal Air Force Regiment. I have been fortunate to serve in the modern equivalent of the commando units of Hercules C130K & Chinook. My brother also served as an aircraft engineer in the RAF.

These stories seem remote and singular but were far too common. Even now, whole families serve in the modern war zones with tragic consequences.

Once again thanks, SimonSpitfire.

Bob