John Millichip – Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 149 Squadron

Sergeant John Millichip – Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 149 Squadron

Birth and Family Background

Matthew Millichip and Kate Phoebe Gladys Bond
marriage certificate
All Saints' Church, Oystermouth

John Millichip was born in 1920 at Oystermouth. He was the son of Matthew Millichip and Kate Phoebe Gladys Bond, who were married in 1919 at All Saints’ Church, Oystermouth.

1921 Census

At the time of the 1921 Census, the Millichip family were residing at 7 Chapel Street, Mumbles. Matthew Millichip (28), born in Shropshire, was employed as a railway shunter with the Great Western Railway, while his wife Kate Phoebe Gladys (27), born in Radnorshire, undertook household duties. Their only child at that time was John, aged seven months.

1939 Register

By the time of the 1939 Register, the family were still living at 7 Chapel Street, Mumbles. Matthew was employed as a railway shunter at the docks, Kate P. G. continued with household duties, and John was working as a public library assistant.

Military Service and Death

Short Stirling I

John Millichip enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and attained the rank of Sergeant. He served with No. 149 Squadron RAF as a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner, flying aboard the Short Stirling I, Britain’s first four-engined heavy bomber.

RAF Mildenhall, Suffolk

In March 1942, No. 149 Squadron was operating from RAF Mildenhall, Suffolk, as part of RAF Bomber Command, carrying out long-range night raids against major industrial targets in Germany. On the night of 10^th–11^th March 1942, the squadron took part in a major raid on Essen, a key centre of armaments and industrial production. Such operations exposed aircrews to intense anti-aircraft fire, enemy night fighters, difficult navigation, and fatigue.

Losses were not confined to combat over the target. Aircraft returning from raids were often damaged by flak, short of fuel, or affected by adverse weather and crew exhaustion. Heavy bombers such as the Stirling were particularly vulnerable during landing, especially when damaged, and accidents on return to base were a recognised hazard of Bomber Command operations.

Western Mail

On 11^th March 1942, while returning from the Essen raid, the Stirling in which Sergeant John Millichip was serving sustained flak damage. During the attempted landing back at RAF Mildenhall, the aircraft overshot the runway and crashed into trees at Holywell Row, near the airfield. One member of the crew survived, but Sergeant Millichip was killed in the crash. His death was reported in the Western Mail.

Burial

John Millichip
Oystermouth Cemetery
credit - findagrave

Sergeant John Millichip is buried at Oystermouth Cemetery, where he is commemorated among other local servicemen who lost their lives during the Second World War.