Jessop, William 'Bill'

Messerschmitt Bf 110

Date of death:: January 2011
Nationality:: British

Biography

Servicenumber 630868.

William "Bill" Jessop was Air Gunner with No. 15 Squadron, RAF Wyton. He was shot down in a Wellington bomber on February 15th, 1941, after being attacking Strenkrade. The plane was shot down by a Messerschmitt Bf 110, piloted by Feldwebel Kalmowski, 6 / Nachtjagdgeschwader 1.

His Wellington crashed at 2305 hrs near Barchem (Gelderland) 12 km south of Laren, the Netherlands. Jessop was a survivor, together with Russell, both ending up as POW. Jessop ended up in Stalagluft 1 & 6. The crew was buried at Barcham General Cemetery. Bill Jessop returned to his home town Macclesfield in 1945.

He passed away in January 2011.

The full crew of Wellington Ic T2847 of 15 Sqn RAF Wyton was:

P/O (Pilot) CB Dove (killed)
Sgt (Co-Pilot) PM Smith (killed)
P/O JE Russell (POW) sent to Camp L3 (Stalag Luft Sagan & Belaria)
Sgt W Jessop DFM (POW) sent to Camp L6 (Stalag Luft Heydekrug)
Sgt (WoP)/A/G) G Simpson (killed)
Sgt (R/G) GF Hurworth (killed)

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Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Sergeant
Unit:: No. 15 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: November 22nd, 1940

Received for gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations.

Sources

Photo 1: Kevin Whittaker
Photo: Kevin Whittaker (Jessop at Stalag Luft 1)
- The London Gazette of 22nd November 1940, Issue 34998
- RAF records Kew. Macclesfield Historical Aviation Society & William 'Bill' Jessop