Sergeant Walter David Amos, from Reigate, Surrey was pilot on a Wellington II bomber of 158 Squadron.

He had been with 158 squadron since its formation in February 1942 at Driffield, but had been flying as a second pilot.

In the evening of 11 April 1942, Sgt. Amos was to captain his own crew on a mission for the first time. Sgt Ian Mackirdy flew as an Observer and Sgt Douglas Till was wireless operator. Sgts Basil Whitbread and Thomas  Davies were air gunners.

They took off in Wellington II W5482 NP-X from Driffield at 2201. Their aircraft was sent on a so-called 'Nickel' operation over Northern France. The mission was to drop leaflets over Lille.

158 Sqn RAF

Although the plane piloted by Sgt Amos was "Lost Without Trace", it is thought that it crashed into the North Sea near Oostende, Belgium. The bodies of Sgt MacKirdy and Sgt Till were recovered on Belgian shores and are buried in Oostende, Belgium. Sgts Whitbread and Davies are still missing.

Sgt Amos's body washed ashore on the Dutch coast and is buried at the Nieuwe Oosterbegraafplaats in Amsterdam, Plot 85. Row C. Grave 14.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

See also:
Sgt Ian Mackirdy
Sgt Douglas Till
Sgt Basil Whitbread
Sgt Thomas Davies

Acknowledgements:
Mr. Dave Cheetham
RAF Squadron crest © Crown Copyright is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office

Sources:
W. R. Chorley, In Brave Company, self published, 1990

Directions to Nieuwe Oosterbegraafplaats

If you have any suggestions, comments or additional information, please contact me.

This website is dedicated to the men and women who died and/or are buried in The Netherlands during World War II.

 

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