[144 SQUADRON]
144 squadron was equipped with Hampdens on the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939, flying its first mission on 26 September, when it dispatched 12 aircraft to search for, and attack if found, German naval forces in the North Sea. On this occasion, however, it encountered no allowable targets. Three days later, the squadron sent out 11 aircraft over the Heligoland Bight in another search for German warships. The strike force split into two groups; while one formation spotted but failed to hit two German destroyers, the second formation was intercepted by Luftwaffe Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters, which shot down all five Hampdens.
As with most of the early & obsolescent WW2 bombers, such as the Fairey Battle, the Hampdens of 144 squadron were very vulnerable to attack by enemy fighters and when used on day missions the losses were very high.
The squadron therefore started night flying in February 1940, initially with leaflet dropping raids over Germany. On 6th March it flew its first bombing raid against a German land target, the seaplane base at Hörnum on the island of Sylt. The squadron continued to operate in the night bomber role through the rest of 1940 and 1941. P/O Gilling lost his life during this early period on 4th July 1940 during a night bombing raid to Kiel when his Hampden aircraft F4361 was hit by anti-aircraft flak over the target. On the night of the loss Jack Gilling was probably flying as Navigator / reserve pilot as Eric Lancaster, being of slightly senior rank was probably at the controls when the aircraft was hit.
IN MEMORIUM TO THE OTHER CREW MEMBERS LOST ON THIS SORTIE.
4012. F/O. Eric Bell LANCASTER..... Pilot, of Grahamstown, Cape Province, South Africa. (Aged 26)
552072. SGT. Percy Fallows BAILEY ....W.Op/ Air Gnr, of Longsight, Manchester. (Aged 19)
543932. SGT. Andrew Isaac John NICOL. W.Op /Air Gnr, of Dumfries, Scotland. (Aged 21) PER ARDVA AD ASTRA
Jack Gilling is buried with the rest of the crew at the Kiel War Cemetery. A comprehensive grouping of medals & paperwork. Including study notebook containing theory of flight & meteorological notes etc. Pilots wings, single pilot officer's dress shoulder board, original 'bus ticket' issue slips showing confirming service number. Various letters from the recipient to his mother. War grave commission letters with named details. A scarce officer's casualty assembly to a man who took part in some of the very earliest German territorial bombing of World War Two.SOLD