Flight Sergeant of RAF 61 Squadron, killed in the crash of Hampden bomber P4399.
Our colleague Andrew Behan has kindly researched this man: Flight Sergeant (Observer) Roy John West Geater was born in 1921 in Windsor, Berkshire, the son of John Geater and Jane Geater née Dennis, who at the time of his death, aged 20 years, were living in Egham, Surrey. He joined the Royal Air Force, Service Number 581090 and was attached to No.61 Squadron.
He was aboard a Handley Page Hampden Bomber, serial number P4399, when it took off from RAF Luffenham in Rutland on Wednesday 30 July 1941 at 23.06 hours on a night bombing raid to Cologne, Germany. On its return it flew into an electrical storm and crashed onto houses at 65-69 East Hill, Dartford, Kent, killing three RAF personnel on the aircraft and three civilians on the ground. He is buried in Grave 20.B.17 at the Brookwood Military Cemetry, Woking, Surrey.
Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk
