Interesting puzzle, this - no casualty is listed named Ellerton in August 1942 (the only one is later in the war & he was an Australian fighter pilot).

So, what's the connection with these grave markers & John Harder?

Well, I have a theory (which also ties in with the "Terry's Turret after Saarbrucken" photograph & is also covered on the 434 Squadron page under the Flt Lt JW Harder pages).

He sent a letter home to his mother... ”I regret to say that this is not a very happy letter. Five of my best friends were killed in action a little while ago and as the six of us had always gone through everything together it sort of leaves me lonely not to have them around"... He then goes on to explain that he'd been grounded due to eyesight problems. My thoughts are that he (Harder) & the mid-upper gunner were both grounded (or gunner on leave) & the other 5 crew had to fly a mission with a different pilot & m/upper gunner. The result of which being that the 'plane was shot down, or so badly damaged that it crashed on landing (we have no indication where the photograph was taken - UK or Europe) killing the crew - the "five best friends" referred to in the letter.

A bomber crew usually lived & worked together as they relied upon each other during a mission, so losing two key crewmen would have been likely to be fatal.

An interesting theory... all we need now are the facts to prove it!!

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ALL of the books that I’ve ever read, photos I’ve seen & model kits that I’ve made up tell me that these stripes are painted in the wrong place!!! - I've confirmed this with Stuart Hadaway at the RAF Museum at Hendon who has seen the actual order issued explaining where these stripes "should" be painted.

However, the photographic evidence doesn't lie!

A little while ago, I had the great fortune to speak to Tony Cooper ("A" Flight Commander of 64 Squadron in 1944) & asked him about this... his reply was quite simple... "We didn't care how they were painted, as long as they got us up safely, home safely & the guns fired when we pressed the button!"

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This is one of the enigmas - Spitfires, being single seat fighters did not require a navigator & the photo appears tp pre-date John Harder's joining 64 Squadron. So, was this "navigator" his partner in twin engine day fighters that John alluded to transferring to in his letters, or from his days at Bomber Command? Unfortunately, his logbook from this period which may provide plenty of answers is not currently available...

I wonder whether we will ever know??

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