Simon Glancey has submitted the following:
F/Sgt Faill was killed when Bristol Beaufort I N1147 OAV of 22 Squadron was lost on an antishipping strike operation in the Gironde area. The 22 Squadron O.R.B. (Operational Record Book) recorded the following:
[Beaufort] ‘T’ in company with ‘V’ and ‘D’ patrolled French coast from Isle de Batz on Westerly C.O. when C.V. [coastal vessel?] sighted in position PSTK 4540 at 1230 hrs. Dived to attack 3000 ton ship and scored direct hit on port side. Immediately afterwards a/c attacked by 2 Me 109’s and took violent evasive action. A/C ‘V’ failed to return, and crew reported missing.
John Alfred Faill is remembered in Berwick on Tweed on B25.08