WHEILDON Joseph William

The following report appears in the Berrow’s Worcester Journal, Saturday 2nd January 1943:
News has reached Mr. and Mrs. J. H. (Dick) Wheildon, of Hanley Castle, that their son, Sergt. Air Gunner Joe Wheildon, R.A.F.V.R., previously reported missing, is now believed killed in action.  From German information, received through the International Red Cross, it is stated that Sergt. Wheildon was killed in action on November 30th.  Sergt. Wheildon was one of the first to join the Local Defence Volunteers. At week-ends he divided his duties between the Home Guard and the A.T.C.  He was called to the R.A.F. on November 27th, 1941.

His commanding officer, in a letter to Sergt. Wheildon’s parents writes: €œThe captain and crew had the utmost confidence in your son’s ability to protect them from attack and I do not think this was misplaced.  He carried out his duties in a most exemplary manner and lost no opportunity of making himself more proficient. Such men we can ill spare.€

Sergt. Wheildon was 21 years of age.

The report includes a photograph of Sergeant J. Wheildon.

A letter from Joseph’s mother, M. Wheildon, Poplar Cottage, Hanley Castle, Near Worcester, dated 14th March 1950, can be found within war records held at Worcestershire Archives requesting that his name be added to the county roll of honour. The letter states that Sergeant Joseph William Wheildon, 7 Squadron RAFVR, service no 1577798 was killed when his plane crashed in France when returning from a raid on Turin on 30th November 1942.  There is a further letter within the same records from his mother dated 2nd April 1952.

A letter from Rector Howard S. Bailey, The Rectory, Upton on Severn dated 20th May 1950 can be found within war records held at Worcester County Record Office requesting that Sergeant Gunner Joseph William Wheildon, RAF be added to the county roll of honour.