Sgt William Philip Dales
St Peter's Church Ropsley Lincolnshire
One of the most poignant memorials in Lincolnshire is within the Church of St Peter, Ropesley. Here, grieving parents commissioned a stained glass window to commemorate their son, who has no known grave.
Sgt William Philip Dales transferred from No. 74 Squadron to No. 611 on 3 September 1941. At this time, Fighter Command was hitting back at the Germans with offensive sorties over Europe. Flying from Hornchurch, Dales had taken part in several sweeps with his new unit, and on 5 November 1941, he was piloting Supermarine Spitfire Vb AB984 as Red 2 with Flt Sgt Wright (Spitfire Vb W3563) in the lead.
The pair took off at 08:45hrs on a 'Rhubarb' sortie to Passchendaele. Wright considered he'd lost contact with Dales as they passed over the Belgium coast at Knocke. Nevertheless, he continued with the operation, shooting up a motor barge and lock gatehouses. With the work done, he returned to base and upon arrival, he was advised Dales was missing. The ORB states, 'No news, not a squeak'.
The available evidence shows the pair had remained in contact and overflew the coastal airfield at Koksijde, where Focke-Wolf Fw190s of 4/JG26 were based. Feldwebel Adolf Glunz and his wingman quickly scrambled and caught Dales, who was now heading home and shot his Spitfire down into the Channel near Gravelines. He was never found and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
The loss of a son is always a tragedy, but when there is no body to bury, the situation is made worse. To honour their boy John and Ada Dales of Little Humby, Lincolnshire commissioned the window, which is now taking pride in the church. It is an incredible piece of work made even more so when the two small dogs are observed sitting at William's feet. He was only 22 when he died, but he will not be forgotten, thanks to his parents' efforts to keep his memory alive.
Sgt William Philip Dales transferred from No. 74 Squadron to No. 611 on 3 September 1941. At this time, Fighter Command was hitting back at the Germans with offensive sorties over Europe. Flying from Hornchurch, Dales had taken part in several sweeps with his new unit, and on 5 November 1941, he was piloting Supermarine Spitfire Vb AB984 as Red 2 with Flt Sgt Wright (Spitfire Vb W3563) in the lead.
The pair took off at 08:45hrs on a 'Rhubarb' sortie to Passchendaele. Wright considered he'd lost contact with Dales as they passed over the Belgium coast at Knocke. Nevertheless, he continued with the operation, shooting up a motor barge and lock gatehouses. With the work done, he returned to base and upon arrival, he was advised Dales was missing. The ORB states, 'No news, not a squeak'.
The available evidence shows the pair had remained in contact and overflew the coastal airfield at Koksijde, where Focke-Wolf Fw190s of 4/JG26 were based. Feldwebel Adolf Glunz and his wingman quickly scrambled and caught Dales, who was now heading home and shot his Spitfire down into the Channel near Gravelines. He was never found and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
The loss of a son is always a tragedy, but when there is no body to bury, the situation is made worse. To honour their boy John and Ada Dales of Little Humby, Lincolnshire commissioned the window, which is now taking pride in the church. It is an incredible piece of work made even more so when the two small dogs are observed sitting at William's feet. He was only 22 when he died, but he will not be forgotten, thanks to his parents' efforts to keep his memory alive.