Date of birth:

May 8th, 1906 (Stanton-under-Bardon/Leicestershire, United Kingdom)

Date of death:

October 9th, 1975

Service number:

961931

Nationality:

British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Wilfred Upton enlisted in the RAFVR on 28 April 1940. He was mustered as a Balloon Operator and served with the 917 (County of Warwick) Squadron. He volunteered for aircrew service in early 1943 and was trained as Air Gunner at 4 Aerial Gunnery School at Morpeth. He was subsequently posted, via 27 OTU and 30 OTU, to 1667 HCU on 15 September 1943.

Sergeant Wilfred Upton was a crew member (air gunner) of Auro Lancaster LM 425-BQ-N, which was shot down on 31 March 1944. He was one of the survivors as he succeeded in parachuting from the burning aircraft Upton was taken prisoner (POW No. 3451) and was first sent to Stalag Luft VI and ended up at Stalag 357 Kopernikus. Aged 37, Upton was well above the average age normally associated with operational crew.

Upton was liberated by American forces in April 1945, repatriated to the UK on 25 April 1945 and posted to 106 PRC at Cosford. During this time, he was promoted to Warrant Officer. Upton was released from service on 10 January 1946.

He was accepted as member of the 'caterpillar club' for his successful jump from a burning aircraft.

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• - Allied Air Forces Losses and Incidents Database.
  - 550 Squadron Lancaster III LM425 BQ-N
  

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