• Operation Chastise (Dambusters Raid)

Date of birth:

July 24th, 1909 (London, United Kingdom)

Date of death:

May 28th, 1980 (Havering/Essex, United Kingdom)

Nationality:

British

Herbert John Hewstone was born on 24 July 1909 in Stepney, London, one of seven siblings. His family owned a general store.

He joined the RAF at the start of the war but trained as a wireless operator/air gunner only in 1942. Posted to 19 OTU in Kinloss. After Coastal Command service, Hewstone transitioned to heavy bombers and joined 44 Squadron in early 1943, completing six operations before transferring to 617 Squadron.

During the Dams Raid, Hewstone played a crucial role in guiding Brown’s aircraft to attack the Sorpe Dam by dropping flares to mark the approach. He continued flying with 617 Squadron until it disbanded in March 1944, then served as an instructor at 26 OTU for the rest of the war, reaching the rank of Flight Sergeant.

Married to Rose Jones since 1938, Hewstone had two children.

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• Photo 1: Dambustersblog.com
• - Dambusters

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