• Bristol Blenheim

Date of birth:

May 26th, 1917

Date of death:

May 13th, 1943 (near Eemnes, the Netherlands)

Buried on:

Commonwealth War Graves Oud-Leusden (Rusthof)
Plot: 13. Row: 7. Grave: 127.

Service number:

45901

Nationality:

British

Leslie Arthur Rickinson was born on May 26th, 1917. He followed his education at the Longton High School. At the age of 16 years, he was admitted to an "Air Training School. He passed out as Leading aircraftman after three years and was stationed with a flying boat squadron in Singapore. Short after the outbreak of World War Two he received his "wings". Was killed on May 13th, 1943 when his No. 83 Squadron, Avro Lancaster I W4955, OL-R.was damaged by flak and then shot down by Night Fighter at 02:17, crashing at Eemnes.

Promotions:
?: Leading aircraftman;
20th December 1939: Sergeant, Pilot/Fitter II;
1st April 1941: Temporary Flight Sergeant;
29th May 1941: Pilot Officer (on probation);
29th May 1942: Pilot Officer;
29th May 1942: Flying Officer (war subs.);
16th July 1942: Acting Flight Lieutenant.

Career:
5th September 1933: enlisted with No. 566639 as Aircraft Apprentice;
13 mei 1943: shot down in action during an operation over Duisburg, flying in Avro Lancaster W4955 with No. 83 Squadron Royal Air Force.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Pilot Officer

Unit:

No. 101 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

November 21st, 1941

Citation:
"This officer has been on operations in Blenheim and Wellington aircraft for a total of nine months, during which period he carried out both day and night sorties.
Throughout his 'tour' of operations he has at all times set a splendid example to other members of the squadron by his determination, skill and devotion to duty. His sense of humour and discipline was largely responsible for the good results obtained by the crew.
If there was a difficult job to be done there could always be relied on Pilot Officer Rickinson to get there and obtain the best results.
His last sortie resulted in severe damage to the rear turret, the rear gunner bailed out and the second pilot was seriously injured by an enemy night fighter. He brought the aircraft back and landed safely with bombs on."

Recommended on September 15th, 1941.

• Photo 1: Jaap van der Woude
• - The London Gazette of 4th July 1941, Issue 35208
  - Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 18th November 1941, Issue 35353, dated 21st November 1941
  - The London Gazette of 23rd June 1942, Issue 35606
  - Recommendation to the DFC, dated 15th September 1941, Wing commander commanding No. 101 Squadron
  - Extract form The London Gazette 21 November 1941
  - 'Old Haltonians' - RAF Halton Aircraft Apprentices Association
  

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Bristol Blenheim