63 years ago today the heroic actions of Flt Sgt R.H. Middleton resulted in the award of the Stirling bomber force’s first VC.
Departing Lakenheath on the 28th November 1942 Flt Sgt Middleton was piloting Stirling BF372 of 149 Squadron on a raid to Turin.
He passed over the target three times. The Third time over the target this time at 2,000ft a shell exploded in the cockpit and a splinter tore into his face removing skin, flesh and his right eye. A second splinter of the shell hit him in the chest and yet another in his leg. His second pilot Sgt L.A. Hyder was also severely wounded in the head and legs.
The aircraft lost control as Flt Sgt Middleton passed out from his injuries. Sgt Hyder resumed control at 800ft and the bombs dropped. On climbing out and heading home Flt Sgt Middleton resumed consciousness and insisted on taking control so his second pilot could be treated for his wounds.
Despite the alarming fuel state Flt Sgt Middleton remained at the controls so the others had a chance of survival. In fact he piloted the aircraft over the Alps and France. Over Boulogne the aircraft was hit again by flak.
The aircraft reached the British coast in the Dymchurch area with just 5 minutes of fuel left. As Flt Sgt Middleton flew along the coast all the crew except the flight engineer and front gunner baled out. A few minutes later the aircraft crashed into the sea.
A few hours later on the 29th the bodies of the flight engineer and front gunner were washed up. Middleton had gone down with BF372.
The sea only released Flt Sgt Middleton’s body in the February of the following year. He was laid to rest at Beck Row between Mildenhall and Lakenheath.
I discovered this last night (the 28th) whilst reading “The Stirling Bomber” by Michael J. F. Bowyer. (where the details for this were taken from.)
The 29th marks one year in post for me at RAF Lakenheath.
May you Rest in Peace Flight Sergeant Middleton VC.
Thank you to all those who paid the ultimate price may you also Rest in Peace.
By: Andy Mac - 30th November 2005 at 10:33
Guys, you can get a particular type of cleaning fluid specifically for the stone used by the CWGC, and other stones . . .I’m sorry I don’t know what it’s called. I have seen the grave stone of PO Geoffery GOUT at St Eval and it looks absolutely brand new !
By: Arm Waver - 30th November 2005 at 10:21
Will do.
By: Moggy C - 30th November 2005 at 09:52
Those stones are all in need of a clean aren’t they?
Hard to tell by torchlight 😎
If you have a minute you could drop an e-mail to the CWGC and let them know.
Moggy
By: Arm Waver - 30th November 2005 at 08:45
That’s what I was thinking too Mog.
They were all so young. Hardly a life and yet in many ways too much life.
Those stones are all in need of a clean aren’t they?
By: Moggy C - 30th November 2005 at 08:14
I too noticed that. (Made it there at about 6:45 – good job I had a torch in the car)
I looked it up in Middleton, but he still credits him as F/Sgt.
Reckon that it must have been a posthumous award – good for the pension of any surviving relatives.
RIP
Moggy
By: Arm Waver - 30th November 2005 at 08:07
I went to the graveside last night and paid my respects.
The atmosphere was so peaceful there despite the proximity of the airfields. So many of those buried there are a long way from home. Canadians, New Zealanders and Australians (as was R.H. Middleton VC)
I noticed that despite the fact he was listed in the book as Flt Sgt. His grave is marked Pilot Officer.
Was this a posthumous promotion as a mark of repsect for his award?
By: Arm Waver - 29th November 2005 at 12:12
I finish at 3:30 so I’ll be there a lot sooner…
By: Moggy C - 29th November 2005 at 12:08
I plan to on the way home tonight yes Mog.
Might see you there.
About 6, 6-30 for me.
Moggy
By: Arm Waver - 29th November 2005 at 12:06
I plan to on the way home tonight yes Mog.
By: Moggy C - 29th November 2005 at 11:32
AW:
Will you take the opportunity to visit his grave which is in the church cemetery at Mildenhall?
Moggy
By: ollieholmes - 29th November 2005 at 11:16
He deserved his vc.
By: Andy Mac - 29th November 2005 at 11:07
You must read this account in ‘Wings of War’ by Laddie Lucas. There then follows a letter written by Middleton’s crew to his mother after his death. Two of his crew refused to leave him and bail out. During the flight home he kept repeating to his crew :
” I’ll make the English coast – I’ll get you home “
A Vctoria Cross was never more deserved.
By: Canpark - 29th November 2005 at 08:23
Honestly to speak there is no word or medal that could describe such heroic actions.
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November 29, 2005 at 7:18 am