Francis Alfred George Lascelles (1912-1941)

Second World War Roll of Honour

Francis Alfred George Lascelles was born at Colpetty, Colombo in Ceylon on 8 August 1912, the only son of Sir Alfred George Lascelles Kt. KC, Chief Justice of Ceylon, and Lady Isabel Carteret (nee Thynne) Lascelles, later of “The Cliff”, Terrington in Yorkshire. He was educated at Bradfield College from 1926 to 1930, where he was a member of B House, and afterwards at Chateau d’Oex in Switzerland before matriculating at Downing College in 1932, studying English. He completed at least four terms at Downing, but left before completing his degree.

Francis was commissioned as an Acting Pilot Officer on a short service commission in the Royal Air Force on 9 January 1938 and was confirmed in his rank on 20 August 1938. He was promoted to Flying Officer on 25 July 1940 and was Mentioned in Despatches, announced by the Air Ministry on 1 January 1941. He served with 105 Squadron until 8 December 1940, when he and his crew were posted to No. 13 Operational Training Unit at Bicester for a period of "rest". He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, announced by the Air Ministry on 17 January 1941, and was promoted to Flight Lieutenant on 25 July 1941. On his return to operational flying, he was posted to 82 Squadron.

On 26 August 1941, Francis Lascelles (by then Wing Commander) and his crew took off from RAF Bodney at 10.32am in Blenheim Mk IV T2165 UX-W to carry out an anti-shipping sweep over Heligoland. He was leading five other aircraft from the Squadron. The formation made landfall over the islands of Scharhörn and Neuwerk, off the mouth of the River Elbe, and was flying over the islands when Lascelles realised that they were off course and led the formation in a complete turn to port. One of the aircraft left the formation to return to base with the others last being seen heading to the west near Wangerwage. They later attacked some enemy shipping, with two enemy ships reported to have been sunk during the operation.

Wing Commander Lascelles’ aircraft is believed to have been shot down with the loss of all three crew. Theirs was one of four aircraft from the squadron which failed to return from the operation. The aircraft came down in the sea, with the bodies of Francis Lascelles and Cecil Pollock being recovered. William Ordway’s body was washed ashore on 31 August and was buried alongside his comrades at Wilhelmshaven Cemetery the following day. All three were buried as unknown airmen, but on 7 July 1947, the bodies were exhumed when all three were identified; Francis Lascelles from his medal ribbons, uniform and his name written in ink on his shirt. The bodies were then moved and reburied at their present location.

Wing Commander Lascelles was killed in action on 26 August 1941, aged 29. He is buried at Sage War Cemetery and also commemorated on the war memorial at Bradfield College.

Sources

TNA – RAF Casualty file AIR 81/8595

Image

Francis Lascelles (far left, 1^st row standing) with members of B House, Bradfield College, 1929. (ABC/7/2/1/15, courtesy of Bradfield College Archive)