Frederick Phillipson

Frederick Phillipson (service number 563677) was a sergeant in the Royal Air Force who served with No. 82 (United Provinces) Squadron, a light-bomber unit flying the Bristol Blenheim Mk IV from RAF Watton in Norfolk. During the Battle of France in May 1940 the squadron was thrown repeatedly against the advancing German columns, suffering heavy losses. On 22 May 1940, aged 27, Phillipson was killed when his Blenheim, serial P4828, was lost on an operation against targets in the Hesdin area; the aircraft came down near Neufchâtel-Hardelot in the Pas-de-Calais, and all three of the crew died. He is buried in Neufchâtel-Hardelot (Neufchâtel) New Communal Cemetery in France. For his service he was Mentioned in Despatches, the recognition published in the London Gazette of 9 July 1940