PARDOE Arthur Anthony

Lieutenant Arthur Pardoe and Petty Officer Airman Leslie Melville Lloyd took off in their Swordfish aircraft (2G:L2790) from HMS Ark Royal between 03.10 and 03.30 on the morning of 25th April as part of a larger strike force, their target area being the German airfield at Vaernes, Norway. Their aircraft was hit by anti aircraft fire and the plane crash landed in the sea. A signal was received by HMS Ark Royal about the crew’s predicament and an aerial search was commenced in order to lead a destroyer to them. Unfortunately the aircraft had ditched some considerable distance from the ships and the search was unsuccessful. Arthur Pardoe and Leslie Lloyd were posted missing, presumed killed.

Arthur Pardoe’s name and rank/unit is listed in the dedication of the memorial in Tenbury Parish Church on Thursday 27th October 1949 at 7 p.m. The memorial was unveiled by Flt Lieutenant Edward Ashley, DFC. The names are listed and their ranks/units have been handwritten on to sheet. The document can be found within war records held at Worcestershire Archives.