Hello,
I am researching Sgt. Sidney Rhodes who was a member of No. 405 (R.C.A.F.) Squadron in WW II. His aircraft (PB-477) took off from Driffield Airfield at 15:54 the evening of 02 Nov. 1945 on a raid to Nuremberg. Rhodes was the Flight Engineer on this flight and was only one of two survivors of the 7-man crew. I am researching this crew and the only one who continues to give me trouble is Sgt. Rhodes. I have the following information on him:
- born 14 March 1912 in Kingston-upon-Hull, Humberside - son of John Thomas Rhodes and Kate McQuaid
- married 08 Sept. 1934 to Elizabeth Hastings West Gardiner
- enlisted in R.A.F. 07 Nov. 1942
- taken as POW 03 Jan. 1945 - as was one of his crewmates, D.G. Plyley, Canadian, when their Lancaster PB-477 aircraft was shot down; both were interned in Stalag I, North Compound, Room 3, Barth, Germany
- I have a hand-written document that gives the names/addresses of each of the inmates in Room 3 of this camp and Rhodes gave his address as 112 Tanfield Grove, Bilton Grange, Hull
- I have a War Office document #344-267-1 (POW questionnaire) which shows his enlistment date and information that he trained at Dalton Battle School. It does not show if he served with any squadron other than No. 405 (R.C.A.F.). Information on this questionnaire was scarce, to say the least
- date of death according to his death certificate was 22 July 1985 in East Riding General Hospital
- his address was given as 38 Watson (or Matson) Court, Bridlington N. Humberside
- informant was name of living person removed, son - from Hull
I have tried to trace his son, name of living person removed, but to no avail. Furthermore, I don't know if there were other children and if so, I don't know where (name of living person removed) ranks in the family. Given that he was born after 1934, he could still be alive and able to fill me in on his father's war experiences prior to his dad's flight with No. 405 Squadron.
If anyone is able to help, I would be so grateful. Yes, I could order his war records, but it would be costly for me. I have tried to trace him through your country's archives but this is a site that I find extremely intimidating.
Carleton
Ottawa, ON
Canada