Douglas Truscott

120618, Flying Officer, 114 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

Missing In Action on the 23^rd November 1942.

Douglas was the son of Laurie & Flora Truscott and the husband of Marjorie Truscott of Stevenage. He joined 114 Squadron at Raynham airfield on the 7th August 1942 from 17 Operational Training Unit, along with Pilot Officer Mathias. After a period of acclimatisation with the Squadron Douglas was deemed to be ready to fly operational missions. On the 13th November the Squadron left Raynham to fly to Gibraltar and then on to Algeria.

On the 17th they arrived at Blida airfield and within a few hours they flew their first operational mission, although Douglas Truscott did not take part in this mission. He had to wait until the 19th November when his crew were part of a raid on shipping in Bizerta harbour. The following night a second raid was made on the same target and Douglas was to fly his second operational mission. Then, on the 23rd November he and his crew took part on a raid on Sidi Ahmed airfield on the outskirts of Bizerta.

Eight aircraft were despatched on the raid, one of which failed to take off. A second aircraft was forced to turn back as a result of engine failure and a third, Bisley BA799 RT-, in which Douglas was flying, was lost on route. The aircraft and its crew were never found and, as a result, Douglas has no known grave.

His name is recorded on the Malta memorial. (Panel 3. Column 1.)

Crew of BISLEY BA799 RT-