Date: 09/05/1941
Squadron Code: TR-Y
Serial Number: Blenheim IV T1874
Flight/Mission Details:

Base; Thorney Island
Take off time: 2200hrs
Op: Boulogne

Took off in company to attack Boulogne harbour but failed to return. S/Ldr Close and his crew rest in Boulogne Eastern cemetery. Note: Close had only been promoted to the rank of S/Ldr three days prior to his death after S/Ldr GT Palmer lost his life on a mission to Cherbourg. Unfortunately before the same time in 1942, 59 sqaudron would loose 4 more S/Ldr's in air operations.

S/L. Close had been awarded the Empire Gallantry Medal in 1937 (later renamed the George Cross - GC). he was duty pilot on the Miranshah aerodrome when an aircraft laden with bombs crashed and burst into flames. The then, P/O. Close, despite the explosion of a bomb and small arms ammunition, made persistent attempts to extinguish the flames and rescue the crew, until he was restrained by a superior officer.

S/L Close holds the record for the service person who held the GC for the shortest period of time. view details

 

Crew Details:

All lost:

 

 

 

 

Source: CC Losses - McNeill and the London Gazette

During WWII, the RAF used three-letter codes to identify their aircraft from a distance. Two large letters were painted before the roundel, which signified the squadron to which the aircraft belonged, and another letter was painted after the roundel which indicated the individual aircraft. Aditionally, there was the individual serial number for each aircraft, which was painted in a much smaller size, usually somewhere at the rear of the aircraft: (more)

Codes used by RAF 59 Squadron:

PJ Sep 1938 - Sep 1939
TR Sep 1939 - Oct 1942
1 Aug 1943 - Jul 1944
WE Jul 1944 - Oct 1945
BY Oct 1945 - Jun 1946, Dec 1947 - Oct 1950