George Racine Herbert
Person details
| Forename(s) | George Racine |
|---|---|
| Surname | Herbert |
| Rank | Pilot Officer |
| Regiment | RAFVR |
| Age | 21 |
| Death | Missing, killed in action |
| Place of Death | Western Europe > Netherlands |
| Date of Death | 12/06/1943 |
| Year of Entry | 1935 |
| House Letter | E |
| School Notes | - |
| Comments |
The correspondence file includes POW letters from members of the crew who survived the crash. A poem dedicated to him, and sent to his mother, appeared in The Times, 9 October 1943: Pathfinders Through the dark nights they flew; the flares they sowed Lit up the targets for the rest to find. They are lost; but shall we falter with our load, Searching our targets? Though the night be blind, Still their bright memory lights us on the road. Arundell Esdaile |
| Commonwealth War Graves Commission Link | https://www.cwgc.org/find-record... |
| Unit | 35 Squadron |
| Prefect | School Prefect |
| Military Decorations | DFM |
| Album Number | 22 |
| Battle | |
| Previous Regiment | |
| Burial or Cemetery | Netherlands > Rotterdam |
| Citations | |
| Archives | Correspondence file in OR files in Radley Archives |
| Post School | - |
| Prep School | Gibbs, Sloane Sq, London |
| Prisoner of War | |
| Radlein Obituary |
November 21 1943. Recorded as missing March 5 1944. Missing in June, 1943, now known to have been killed in action, George Racine Herbert, D.F.M., Pilot Off., R.A.F.V.R (Hope's, E, 1935-40). He was a School Prefect, and a useful player at many games, representing the School at Swimming and Boxing and being in the second Cricket, Football and Hockey teams. But by those who knew him he will be remembered chiefly for his unfailingly cheerful and gay disposition. We always felt that he had just the qualities needed for a first-rate pilot, and so were more delighted than surprised when, as a Flight Sergeant, he was awarded the D.F.M. in May, 1942. He soon after became a Warrant Officer, and then was gazetted as a Pilot Officer in January, 1943. He must have been an ideal leader to be under in an emergency, and we understand that the testimony of the crews who served under him fully bears this out. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. |
| Service Number | 142149 |
| Place of Birth |
