John Boon (1913-1940)

Second World War Roll of Honour

John Boon was born in Stafford on 9 January 1913, the son of Reginald Percy Boon and Maud Mary (née Allcock). He matriculated at Downing College in 1931, playing Hockey for the College and graduating BA (Cantab) in 1934.

He was educated at the Corporation Street Council School, then King Edward VI Boys Grammar School in Stafford, where he was Captain of the Football XI and wicketkeeper of the Cricket XI. He was awarded a Leaving Exhibition and a grant of £100 by the Staffordshire Education Committee towards his university fees. John matriculated at Downing College in 1931, studying Modern and Medieval Languages and played hockey and tennis for the College. After graduating in 1934, he was appointed as an English and games master at Ecoles des Roche at Verneuil-sur-Avres in France. He later returned to England, where he taught at his old school, King Edward VI Boys Grammar School, for a term before going on to Oswestry School until 1937. He applied to join the Royal Air Force in August 1937 and by the time of the outbreak of war in 1939, he was a Pilot Officer with 150 Squadron.

Hitler launched his long-awaited Blitzkrieg offensive on 10 May 1940, invading neutral Holland and Belgium and attacking northern France. As the Belgians retreated, they failed to blow up bridges to prevent the German rapid advance and so the RAF flew daring daylight bombing missions to destroy these vital bridges over the Albert Canal. Pilot Officer Boon and two crew members flew one of four Fairey Battles which set off at 7.50am on 14 May to bomb bridges around Douzy. All four planes returned safely after a successful raid. A second raid in the afternoon, when they were joined by Blenheims and Hurricanes from other squadrons, was less lucky and, sadly, Pilot Officer Boon’s plane was one of several which were lost.

Pilot Officer Boon was killed in action on 14 May 1940, aged 27. He is buried with his crew members in Douzy Communal Cemetery, Ardennes.

Image

Downing College Hockey Team, 1934 (J Boon seated on the floor, front right). (© Hills and Saunders)