Frank Claydon "Barnet Councillor"

Flying Officer Frank Edward Claydon

Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 166 Squadron

Service number 130537

Died 14/01/1944, Age 35

He is buried at the Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery, 14. A. 3

Husband of Violet Claydon, of 55 Laurel Way, Totteridge. He had two daughters, Patricia Ann Claydon and Frances Jane Claydon (later Frances Jane Madeley), who was born on 17 May 1944, after Frank's death. Son of Frank and Frances Claydon

By the time of his service in World War II, he had established himself not only as a family man but also as a public servant.  Beyond his family life, Claydon served as a Councillor for the Barnet Urban District Council, demonstrating his commitment to public service even before joining the Royal Air Force.

He was the youngest and most popular of Barnet Councillors, a keen student of politics and economics.  He was a member of the Fabian Society, and just before taking his seat on the Council, he completed a three-year course in political economy.

 Before his deployment with 166 Squadron, Claydon qualified as an Observer at an Air Training School in South Africa. His journey back to Britain proved eventful, as records indicate he survived being torpedoed 1,000 miles from land during his return voyage.

As an Air Bomber with 166 Squadron, Claydon would have been responsible for ensuring bombs were properly armed, selecting targets through the bombsight, and releasing the payload at the precise moment. His squadron, operating from RAF Kirmington in Lincolnshire, was part of No. 1 Group Bomber Command. The Final Mission

On January 14, 1944, Flying Officer Claydon and his crewmates boarded Lancaster I DV404, bearing the squadron code AS-Z. The aircraft took off from RAF Kirmington at 16:38 hours, joining a bombing raid targeting Braunschweig (Brunswick), Germany.

Tragically, their Lancaster was intercepted and shot down by a German night-fighter, crashing in the target area. Of the seven crew members, only Wing Commander Scragg survived, becoming a prisoner of war. Frank Claydon and the remaining five crew members perished in the crash.

His name is commemorated on several memorials:

• The International Bomber Command Centre Memorial in Lincoln, England (Phase 1, Panel 20)1

• The Air Ministry WWII Bell & Inscribed Metal Plaques at Humberside Airport Terminal Building (formerly RAF Kirmington)1

• The Stone Monument adjacent to Humberside Airport Terminal Building 1

• Memorial plaques in the Memorial Gardens, Kirmington, Lincolnshire

• Stained Glass Window, Metal Plaque & Roll of Honour at St. Helena's Church, Kirmington