Sergeant (W.Op./Obs.) 970523 Gordon Thomas Yates

Courtesy Jeff Keenan

Regiment: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Theatre of War: Home

Age at death: 21
Date of death: 26th of July 1941 (Saturday)
Born: St Helens, Lancs
Resided: St Helens, Lancs.
Burial / Memorial: Eccleston Christchurch

Family details:
Son of Thomas and Mary J. Yates, of Eccleston Park.

Census details:
1939 Register. Unfortunately Gordon T is redacted. Father Thomas Yates born 05/02/1893 a Chief Draughtsman Glass Works and mother Mary Yates born 25/10/1892 an Unpaid Domestic are living at Laurel Dene, Beech Avenue, Eccleston.

[pic]imgs/sppics/Beaufighter.jpg[/pic][caption]Beaufighter T3300 near Seaton, Hornsea.[/caption] On 26th July 1941 this aircraft flew into trees soon after taking off from Catfoss airfield at night. The aircraft crashed soon after near Seaton and the crew of two were killed. Pilot - Sgt Gordon Kenneth Wood RAFVR (996849), aged 24, of Stonehaven, Kincardineshire. Buried Brandesburton Churchyard, Yorkshire. Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Gordon Thomas Yates RAFVR (970523), aged 21, of Eccleston Park. Buried Eccleston Churchyard, Lancashire. [pic]imgs/WW2_misc/Yates_970523.jpg[/pic][caption]Courtesy Jeff Keenan[/caption] [pic]imgs/S1PWHYAOTV/Yates.jpg[/pic] [caption]The headstone of Sergeant Gordon T Yates at Eccleston Christchurch (Photo courtesy of Jeff Keenan)[/caption]