At this time, nothing is known about Jack Sykes. He was an observer on a Blenheim with 139 Squadron. On 7 July 1941, Sgt Sykes, his pilot F/L Horace Hilton and air gunner Sgt John Clayton boarded Blenheim V6084 and took off at 11.42 from their base Horsham St. Faith. Their mission was to intercept and destroy enemy shipping off the Dutch coast. Eleven Blemheims had been detailed to this mission this day. The Blemheims did find enemy shipping off the coast of Den Haag and attacked eight shiops and four flak vessels.

139 Squadron

According to their own reports, the British destroyed sunk  three ships, for the loss of three Blenheims. Two of the Blenheims that were lost were from 139 squadron. One was the V6084, flown by Sgt Hilton. All three crew members perished. Sgt Sykes's body washed ashore and is buried in The Hague (Westduin) Cemetery. Sgt. Clayton is buried in Bergen. Sgt Hilton remains missing and is commemorated at the Runnymede Memorial.

Sgt Jack Sykesr is buried at The Hague (Westduin) General Cemetery, Allied Plot. Row 3. Grave 64.

 

Den Haag, The Netherlands

See Also:
F/L Horace Hilton
Sgt John Clayton

All casualties of 139 squadron buried in the Netherlands

Sources and Acknowledgements:
Commonwealth War Grave Commission
lostbombers.co.uk

Directions to The Hague (Westduin) General Cemetery

Posted 15 June 2009

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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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