Photo: B. Chandler
The headstone reads:
Gordon R.M. Alexander
Flt/Sgt. R.A.F.
Aged 20 years.
Killed on Active Service
On Feb. 22nd 1942.
“Only those who are willing
To die are fit to live”.
Gen. Macarthur.
The Geordie at War Project states:
"16 Squadron were designated as Army Co-operation squadron in 1934. In 1938 they took delivery of new Lysander aircraft and in April 1940 they transferred to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force. It quickly became apparent that the Lysander was not suited to modern war conditions and the squadron was withdrawn to Lympne. They continued to fly Lysander aircraft on patrols along the Devon and Cornwall coast."
Simon Glancey has submitted the following:
F/Sgt. Alexander was killed when Westland Lysander IIIa V9507 of 16 Squadron collided with Hawker Hurricane Iic BE586 of 247 Squadron at Totnes, killing both of the Lysander's crew and the pilot of the Hurricane.
