Sergeant of RAF 61 Squadron, killed in the crash of Hampden bomber P4399.
Our colleague Andrew Behan has kindly researched this man: Sergeant (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) Wilfred Leonard Butler was born on 3 November 1919 in Kingston, Surrey, the son of William Henry Butler and Bessie Jane Butler. His father was a Painter and Decorator and during the war was the Head Air Raid Warden with Chertsey Urban District Council. The family lived at 22 St Anns Road, Chertsey, Surrey.
He joined the Royal Air Force, Service Number 645433 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 Plot G Grave 139 in Chertsey (St. Stephen's) Church Burial Ground.
Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk
