Sergeant Neville Arthur Foster Folkard - 22 Squadron 1941
FOLKARD, NEVILLE ARNOLD FOSTER
Rank:…………………Sergeant
Trade:………………..W.Op./Air Gnr.
Service No:…………..958778
Date of Death:……….16/07/1941
Age:…………………..21
Service:………………Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
……………………….22 Sqdn.
Grave Reference:……Sec. 48. Grave 361.
Cemetery:……………NORWICH CEMETERY, NORFOLK
Additional Information:
Son of Sydney Robert and Hilda Ada Folkard, of Norwich.
CWGC: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2764181/FOLKARD,%20NE...
Sgt.N.A.F Folkard was recorded as Killed in Action while flying in operations against the enemy in Air Ministry Casualty Communique no.77, which was reprinted in the edition of Flight magazine dated 21st August 1941.
www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1941/1941%20-%201917...
The 1941 Probate Calendar records that a Neville Arnold Foster Folkard of 27 Eaton Road, Norwich, died 16th July 1941 on War Service. Administration was granted at the Norwich Court on the 29th December 1941 to Sydney Robert Folkard, Insurance Offical.
probatesearch.service.gov.uk/Calendar?surname=Folkard&...
Neville is not however remembered on the Eaton War Memorial.
Prior to his joining up he had worked for the Railway Passengers Assurance Company, then part of the Norwich Union Group. The Roll of Honour for their successor, Aviva records him as Killed in Action.
heritage.aviva.com/roll-of-honour/66/?page=2
Birth
The birth of a Neville A F Folkard was recorded in the Norwich District in the January to March quarter, (Q1), of 1920. His mothers maiden name was Foster.
Post August 1911 it became compulsory when registering the birth of a child in England and Wales to also record the mothers maiden name. Checking the General Registrars Office Index of births for England and Wales produces a possible sibling for Neville. A Margaret H Folkard, mothers maiden name Foster, was registered in the Norwich District in the April to June quarter, (Q2), of 1916. This combination of surname, mothers maiden name does not occur again until the 1960’s.
The most likely match for the wedding of his parents is the marriage of a Sydney R Folkard to a Hilda A Foster which was recorded in the Norwich District in the July to September quarter, (Q3) of 1915.
The Unit
The squadron was still equipped with the Vildebeest when the Second World War broke out in September 1939, with the squadron carrying out anti-submarine patrols over the English Channel. From November 1939 the squadron started to receive Bristol Beaufort twin-engined monoplanes to replace its obsolete biplanes. The Bristol Taurus engines of the Beaufort proved unreliable at first, and the squadron continuing to fly operations with the Vildebeest while converting to the Beaufort. It flew its last operational mission with the Vildebeest on 20 December 1939.
The squadron moved to RAF North Coates in Lincolnshire on 8 April 1940, flying its first operational sorties from that base on 15 April when nine Beauforts set out to lay mines off the mouth of the River Elbe.
In this role, the unit flew sorties over the North Sea from North Coates, Thorney Island, St Eval and Portreath. In April 1941, a pilot of the unit, F/O Kenneth Campbell, was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for a daring attack on the Gneisenau in Brest harbour.
Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._22_Squadron_RAF
22 Squadron brought the Bristol Beaufort into operational service; receiving the first aircraft in November 1939 and, after an intense work up at North Coates in Lincolnshire, the Squadron resumed operations in April 1940, beginning with mine-laying sorties. It moved to RAF Thorney Island where torpedo operations were resumed in August. In order to cover a wider area of sea the Squadron sent out detachments, to RAF Abbotsinch (to test the Torpedo with Wings), then to St Eval, being the most regular.
It was from here that the Squadron made many attacks on the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau in Brest. During one of these, on 6 April 1941. Flying Officer Kenneth Campbell and his crew made a daring and courageous penetration of the formidable defences and hit the Gneisenau with a torpedo just before being shot to pieces. The Gneisenau was out of action for nine months and Flying Officer Campbell was awarded the VC, posthumously. Throughout 1941 the Squadron was on the attack constantly and when the year ended it had sunk over 100,000 tons of enemy shipping.
Source: www.22squadronassociation.org.uk/
10 Jun 1941 - 28 Oct 1941: Main Base, Thorney Island
04 May 1940 - 13 Mar 1942: Detachment, Bircham Newton
Source: www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/87/a8654187.s...
On the day
The death of a 21 year old Neville A F Folkard was recorded in the Lewes District of Sussex in the July to September quarter of 1941.
The Squadron were flying the Bristol Beaufort at the time which could have a crew of 4. A check of the CWGC database dhows that three other members of the Squadron would die on this day.
Pilot – Flight Sergeant David Brett, aged 24. He was the son of Frederick and Agnes Annie Brett, of Ilford, Essex. He is buried at West Thorney (St Nicholas) Churchyard.
CWGC: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2959303/
Like Neville, Flight Sergeant D Brett is recorded as Killed in Action while flying in operations against the enemy in Air Ministry Casualty Communique no.77, which was reprinted in the edition of Flight magazine dated 21st August 1941. (see link above).
The death of a 24 year old David Brett was recorded in the Lewes District of Sussex in the July to September quarter of 1941.
A picture of David and possibly the other crew members can be seen here
www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=79338647
Observer – Sergeant George Adam Todd, aged 25. He was the son of John and Ethel Constance Todd, of East Chevington, husband of Elizabeth Todd, of Alnmouth. He is buried at Chevington Cemetery.
CWGC: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2809827/
Like Neville, Sergeant G A Brett is recorded as Killed in Action while flying in operations against the enemy in Air Ministry Casualty Communique no.77, which was reprinted in the edition of Flight magazine dated 21st August 1941. (see link above).
The death of a 25 year old George A Todd was recorded in the Lewes District of Sussex in the July to September quarter of 1941.
George is remembered on the Chevington War memorial.
www.newmp.org.uk/article.php?categoryid=99&articleid=...
His headstone can be seen here
www.fusilier.co.uk/military/chevington_cwgc/todd.htm
Wireless Operator – Sergeant Robert Ernest George Williams, aged 21. He was the son of Ernest Samuel and Mabel Emily Williams, of Melksham. He is buried in Melksham Church Cemetery.
CWGC: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2710066/
Like Neville, Sergeant R E G Williams is recorded as Killed in Action while flying in operations against the enemy in Air Ministry Casualty Communique no.77, which was reprinted in the edition of Flight magazine dated 21st August 1941. (see link above).
The death of a 21 year old Robert E G Williams was recorded in the Lewes District of Sussex in the July to September quarter of 1941.
Robert is also remembered on the Melksham War memorial.
www.roll-of-honour.com/Wiltshire/Melksham.html
Bristol Beaufort Mk1a L9791 OA-O crashed in bad visibility at Jenners Hill, near Beddingham, in Sussex while returning from an anti-shipping strike from RAF Thorney Island. Original source was the Royal Air Force Coastal Command Losses of the Second World War: Vol.1: Aircraft and Crew Losses 1939-1941; Ross McNeill 2003.
Seen here:-
www.newmp.org.uk/article.php?categoryid=99&articleid=...
This aircraft took part in a torpedo attack on Cherbourg Harbour on 18th September 1940, piloted by Sgt.N.Hearn-Phillips.
In a piece on Hearn-Phillips however there is a picture of L9791 said to have been taken after a crash on the 17th September 1940. The plane certainly looks in no state to have flown again the next day.
books.google.co.uk/books?id=IOufCdDMSMUC&pg=PA106-IA1...
A Police crashed aircraft report has been scanned and put on line.
DIV REF. B4/11/41
H.Q. REF. RAF 96/21/41
Exact Location Beddingham Hill
British Allied or Enemy British
Condition of Machine Completely smashed and burnt out.
Killed 4
Disposal of crew Bodies removed on 16/7/41 by R.A.F. Thorney Island.
Which R.A.F. Station notified Thorney Island
Time and Date of notification 08.07 hours 16/7/41
Detail of Occurrence
At 6.50am. on the 16th. July 1941 a British Beaufort apparently crashed into the side of the Hill during dense fog about 04.50 hours. Number on tail of machine L.9791. This was stated by R.A.F. Controller. Thorney Island to be missing from that Station, the crew being Flight Sergt. BRETT, Sgt. TODD, Sgt. WILLIAMS and Sgt. FOLKARD. Three bodies were clear of the machine the other was still in the cockpit. They were removed to Thorney Island. Military guard posted by Bdr. CARTER of 325th. Searchlight Regt. Firle.
6 unexploded H.E. bombs scattered on open downland in vicinity of machine. Map Reference 894255. These bombs were defused and removed by the B.D.S. on 17th July, 1941.
Time and Date information received by Police 04.50 hours 16th July 1941
Signature [William Mills] Sgt 30
Source: glynde.info/history/extras/Crashed%20Aircraft%20Report%20...
16/07/41
22 Sqn
Beaufort I, L9791
Coded: OA-O, Op: Shipping Strike, Thorney Island at 03:05 hrs.
F/Sgt D Brett
Sgt G A Todd
Sgt R E G Williams
Sgt N A F Folkard
Crashed at 04:38 hrs at Jenners Hill near Beddingham, Sussex, in poor visibility after a number of d/f fixes had been passed.
www.rafcommands.com/archive/02738.php
Sergeant Neville Arthur Foster Folkard - 22 Squadron 1941
FOLKARD, NEVILLE ARNOLD FOSTER
Rank:…………………Sergeant
Trade:………………..W.Op./Air Gnr.
Service No:…………..958778
Date of Death:……….16/07/1941
Age:…………………..21
Service:………………Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
……………………….22 Sqdn.
Grave Reference:……Sec. 48. Grave 361.
Cemetery:……………NORWICH CEMETERY, NORFOLK
Additional Information:
Son of Sydney Robert and Hilda Ada Folkard, of Norwich.
CWGC: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2764181/FOLKARD,%20NE...
Sgt.N.A.F Folkard was recorded as Killed in Action while flying in operations against the enemy in Air Ministry Casualty Communique no.77, which was reprinted in the edition of Flight magazine dated 21st August 1941.
www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1941/1941%20-%201917...
The 1941 Probate Calendar records that a Neville Arnold Foster Folkard of 27 Eaton Road, Norwich, died 16th July 1941 on War Service. Administration was granted at the Norwich Court on the 29th December 1941 to Sydney Robert Folkard, Insurance Offical.
probatesearch.service.gov.uk/Calendar?surname=Folkard&...
Neville is not however remembered on the Eaton War Memorial.
Prior to his joining up he had worked for the Railway Passengers Assurance Company, then part of the Norwich Union Group. The Roll of Honour for their successor, Aviva records him as Killed in Action.
heritage.aviva.com/roll-of-honour/66/?page=2
Birth
The birth of a Neville A F Folkard was recorded in the Norwich District in the January to March quarter, (Q1), of 1920. His mothers maiden name was Foster.
Post August 1911 it became compulsory when registering the birth of a child in England and Wales to also record the mothers maiden name. Checking the General Registrars Office Index of births for England and Wales produces a possible sibling for Neville. A Margaret H Folkard, mothers maiden name Foster, was registered in the Norwich District in the April to June quarter, (Q2), of 1916. This combination of surname, mothers maiden name does not occur again until the 1960’s.
The most likely match for the wedding of his parents is the marriage of a Sydney R Folkard to a Hilda A Foster which was recorded in the Norwich District in the July to September quarter, (Q3) of 1915.
The Unit
The squadron was still equipped with the Vildebeest when the Second World War broke out in September 1939, with the squadron carrying out anti-submarine patrols over the English Channel. From November 1939 the squadron started to receive Bristol Beaufort twin-engined monoplanes to replace its obsolete biplanes. The Bristol Taurus engines of the Beaufort proved unreliable at first, and the squadron continuing to fly operations with the Vildebeest while converting to the Beaufort. It flew its last operational mission with the Vildebeest on 20 December 1939.
The squadron moved to RAF North Coates in Lincolnshire on 8 April 1940, flying its first operational sorties from that base on 15 April when nine Beauforts set out to lay mines off the mouth of the River Elbe.
In this role, the unit flew sorties over the North Sea from North Coates, Thorney Island, St Eval and Portreath. In April 1941, a pilot of the unit, F/O Kenneth Campbell, was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for a daring attack on the Gneisenau in Brest harbour.
Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._22_Squadron_RAF
22 Squadron brought the Bristol Beaufort into operational service; receiving the first aircraft in November 1939 and, after an intense work up at North Coates in Lincolnshire, the Squadron resumed operations in April 1940, beginning with mine-laying sorties. It moved to RAF Thorney Island where torpedo operations were resumed in August. In order to cover a wider area of sea the Squadron sent out detachments, to RAF Abbotsinch (to test the Torpedo with Wings), then to St Eval, being the most regular.
It was from here that the Squadron made many attacks on the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau in Brest. During one of these, on 6 April 1941. Flying Officer Kenneth Campbell and his crew made a daring and courageous penetration of the formidable defences and hit the Gneisenau with a torpedo just before being shot to pieces. The Gneisenau was out of action for nine months and Flying Officer Campbell was awarded the VC, posthumously. Throughout 1941 the Squadron was on the attack constantly and when the year ended it had sunk over 100,000 tons of enemy shipping.
Source: www.22squadronassociation.org.uk/
10 Jun 1941 - 28 Oct 1941: Main Base, Thorney Island
04 May 1940 - 13 Mar 1942: Detachment, Bircham Newton
Source: www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/87/a8654187.s...
On the day
The death of a 21 year old Neville A F Folkard was recorded in the Lewes District of Sussex in the July to September quarter of 1941.
The Squadron were flying the Bristol Beaufort at the time which could have a crew of 4. A check of the CWGC database dhows that three other members of the Squadron would die on this day.
Pilot – Flight Sergeant David Brett, aged 24. He was the son of Frederick and Agnes Annie Brett, of Ilford, Essex. He is buried at West Thorney (St Nicholas) Churchyard.
CWGC: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2959303/
Like Neville, Flight Sergeant D Brett is recorded as Killed in Action while flying in operations against the enemy in Air Ministry Casualty Communique no.77, which was reprinted in the edition of Flight magazine dated 21st August 1941. (see link above).
The death of a 24 year old David Brett was recorded in the Lewes District of Sussex in the July to September quarter of 1941.
A picture of David and possibly the other crew members can be seen here
www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=79338647
Observer – Sergeant George Adam Todd, aged 25. He was the son of John and Ethel Constance Todd, of East Chevington, husband of Elizabeth Todd, of Alnmouth. He is buried at Chevington Cemetery.
CWGC: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2809827/
Like Neville, Sergeant G A Brett is recorded as Killed in Action while flying in operations against the enemy in Air Ministry Casualty Communique no.77, which was reprinted in the edition of Flight magazine dated 21st August 1941. (see link above).
The death of a 25 year old George A Todd was recorded in the Lewes District of Sussex in the July to September quarter of 1941.
George is remembered on the Chevington War memorial.
www.newmp.org.uk/article.php?categoryid=99&articleid=...
His headstone can be seen here
www.fusilier.co.uk/military/chevington_cwgc/todd.htm
Wireless Operator – Sergeant Robert Ernest George Williams, aged 21. He was the son of Ernest Samuel and Mabel Emily Williams, of Melksham. He is buried in Melksham Church Cemetery.
CWGC: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2710066/
Like Neville, Sergeant R E G Williams is recorded as Killed in Action while flying in operations against the enemy in Air Ministry Casualty Communique no.77, which was reprinted in the edition of Flight magazine dated 21st August 1941. (see link above).
The death of a 21 year old Robert E G Williams was recorded in the Lewes District of Sussex in the July to September quarter of 1941.
Robert is also remembered on the Melksham War memorial.
www.roll-of-honour.com/Wiltshire/Melksham.html
Bristol Beaufort Mk1a L9791 OA-O crashed in bad visibility at Jenners Hill, near Beddingham, in Sussex while returning from an anti-shipping strike from RAF Thorney Island. Original source was the Royal Air Force Coastal Command Losses of the Second World War: Vol.1: Aircraft and Crew Losses 1939-1941; Ross McNeill 2003.
Seen here:-
www.newmp.org.uk/article.php?categoryid=99&articleid=...
This aircraft took part in a torpedo attack on Cherbourg Harbour on 18th September 1940, piloted by Sgt.N.Hearn-Phillips.
In a piece on Hearn-Phillips however there is a picture of L9791 said to have been taken after a crash on the 17th September 1940. The plane certainly looks in no state to have flown again the next day.
books.google.co.uk/books?id=IOufCdDMSMUC&pg=PA106-IA1...
A Police crashed aircraft report has been scanned and put on line.
DIV REF. B4/11/41
H.Q. REF. RAF 96/21/41
Exact Location Beddingham Hill
British Allied or Enemy British
Condition of Machine Completely smashed and burnt out.
Killed 4
Disposal of crew Bodies removed on 16/7/41 by R.A.F. Thorney Island.
Which R.A.F. Station notified Thorney Island
Time and Date of notification 08.07 hours 16/7/41
Detail of Occurrence
At 6.50am. on the 16th. July 1941 a British Beaufort apparently crashed into the side of the Hill during dense fog about 04.50 hours. Number on tail of machine L.9791. This was stated by R.A.F. Controller. Thorney Island to be missing from that Station, the crew being Flight Sergt. BRETT, Sgt. TODD, Sgt. WILLIAMS and Sgt. FOLKARD. Three bodies were clear of the machine the other was still in the cockpit. They were removed to Thorney Island. Military guard posted by Bdr. CARTER of 325th. Searchlight Regt. Firle.
6 unexploded H.E. bombs scattered on open downland in vicinity of machine. Map Reference 894255. These bombs were defused and removed by the B.D.S. on 17th July, 1941.
Time and Date information received by Police 04.50 hours 16th July 1941
Signature [William Mills] Sgt 30
Source: glynde.info/history/extras/Crashed%20Aircraft%20Report%20...
16/07/41
22 Sqn
Beaufort I, L9791
Coded: OA-O, Op: Shipping Strike, Thorney Island at 03:05 hrs.
F/Sgt D Brett
Sgt G A Todd
Sgt R E G Williams
Sgt N A F Folkard
Crashed at 04:38 hrs at Jenners Hill near Beddingham, Sussex, in poor visibility after a number of d/f fixes had been passed.
www.rafcommands.com/archive/02738.php