Menzies, John Watherston

Date of death:: July 6th, 1944
Buried on:: Commonwealth War Graves Protestant Churchyard Makkum
Row: O. Grave: 35.
Service number:: 108868
Nationality:: British

Biography

At the time of his death, Menzies flew with No. 161 "Special Duties" Squadron.
Hudson IIIA FK790 took off on 5/6/1944 at 23:50 from RAF Tempsford, detailed to drop 4 Dutch secret agents including Jan Bockma The aircraft was shot down by a German nightfighter. All crew member and Dutch agents were lost.
In 1997 the aircraft wreck was recovered from the IJsselmeer and a positive identifiction was made on the remains of Menzies who was to to rest in 1998 at the Commonwealth War Graves cemetery in Makkum, The Netherlands.

Promotions:
30 september 1941: Pilot Officer on Probation (emergency)
30 september 1942: Flying Officer (war sub)
30 september 1943: Flight Lieutenant (war sub)

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Acting Flight Lieutenant
Unit:: No. 101 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: November 6th, 1942

Citation:
"This officer has displayed outstanding coolness and courage under all circumstances. Throughout the time he has served in this squadron. Flight Lieutenant Menzies has been responsible for promoting a very high standard of keenness and efficiency. He has proved himself fully competent to command his flight in the absence of a commander"