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Long, Frank Hugh (Lofty) (Engels)

  • Born 16-06-1916 in Masterton, New-Zealand.
  • Deceased 13-03-1941 in Noord Deurningen – 24 years.
  • Parents William Hugh and Amy Amelia Long nee Reid from Masterton, New Zealand.
  • Married in 1940 with Margaret Eva Long nee Rainey.

102e Squadron – Royal Air ForceFlight Lieutenant (pilot) – Service nr. 36190

Frank grew up in Masterton. His dad was an English Immigrant. He owned several butchers in Masterton. Frank left in May 1939 to England and joined the Royal Air Force, after that he got stationed at de RAF base Driffield.

Together with Pilot Gray working as a navigator they were doing a reconnaissance flight above hostel area. During the flight they got stuck in a snowstorm and the plane was gathering a lot of ice. Besides that they also came across dangerous crossfire. Because of the poor weather conditions the plane was difficult to control and they lost radio contact. During the 550 km flight back and heavy rainshowers, the expertise, courage and teamwork between Gray and Long, the crew managed to get back safely.

In October 1940 he married Margaret Rainey. She also served in the English Airforce as a member of het womencorps (WAAF) and it was her job to return empty bombthrowers en transportationplanes to different airports in England. After Frank died she remarried Sandy Robinson. In 1977 she visited the grave of Frank.

Buried: Protestante Begraafplaats in Denekamp.

Awarded with the ‘Distinguished Flying Cross’, the War Medal, the 1939-1945 Star and the Europe Star.

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