Hello Aviation Forum Fundis
This is my first post and probably will not be the last. I am currently researching W/Cdr. P.R.Burton-Gyles DSO DFC and bar.(40077). From the information available I see that his date of death is given as 12 Oct 1943, while on the Malta Memorial it is shown as 10 Dec 1943. These numbers seem to have been switched. Which one is correct?
I have no details of the incident but for my own interest I would like to know what were the details of his death, where and what aircraft was he flying? He was with 23 Squadron based on Malta at that time but which aircraft was he flying? I read somewhere that he flew Mosquito’s as well as Spitfires. I have a photograph of him but would have to ask the owner for permission to display it. He seemed to be a very competent and popular Leader. Any help from the Forum Fundis would be greatly appreciated.
Mike “Warbux”
(My daughters’ name for me….. I wonder why?)
By: jack russell - 4th April 2014 at 21:11
Found a newspaper article about him as well. may add a little bit of information for you.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]227041[/ATTACH]
By: jack russell - 4th April 2014 at 16:35
Don’t know if you already have the information listed on here…http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=121914
Source:
NAA: A705, 166/24/245
Aircraft Type: Mosquito
Serial number: HJ 832
Radio call sign:
Unit: 23 Sqn RAF
Summary:
Mosquito HJ 832 of 23 Sqn RAF, British North African Force, took off from Aighero,
Sardinia, at 1740 hours on 10 December 1943 to attack rail/road targets in the Genoa –
Milan – Turin area. Nothing further was heard from the aircraft after take off.
Crew:
RAF Wing Cdr Burton-Gyles, P R (Pilot)
RAAF 404788 PO Layh, E J (Navigator/Bombaimer)
In 1949 following enquiries by the Missing Research and Enquiry Unit operating in the
Mediterranean area, it was reported that no trace of the aircraft or crew could be found.
Sign In
April 3, 2014 at 6:54 pm