CHARLES EDWARD TRAYHORN

Charlie was born in 1922. On 10-7-1940 he joined the Bedfordshire and Herfordshire Regiment as a private soldier. Technically minded he transferred to the Royal Army Ordinance Corps on the 19-3-42 transferring again to the newly formed Electrical and Mechanical Engineers on 1-10-42. He was awarded the Defence Medal and the War Medal 1939-45 at the end of hostilities having spent much of the war on Gibraltar.
He was demobbed on the 30-6-1948 with the rank of War Corporal. The following day he re-mustered as Sergeant REME Telemechanic class 2 and went on to serve in Germany and Jamaica from 1948 -1953.
He left the army returning to civvie street as a television and radio engineer working for the Pound family at Bush Hill Park, Green Lanes, Enfield.
Photos of Charles Edward Trayhorn look-a-like Arnhem 1944. The 'old man' could not stand heights! Hence his land based army career.                                                                   

James Arthur Trayhorn

550 Squadron over D-Day beaches.






Jimmy's war grave - Bollezelle.

Jimmy's letter to Frank following night fighter attack of the 10th June 1944.


Hazel Jimmy's girl friend whilst at North Killingholme.
Jimmy with 550 Squadron crew - Jim seated on right.



Photo of Enfield ATC.
Photo brothers Charlie and young Jimmy.

Jimmy Trayhorn born on the 23/1/1925 son of Charles and Bertha Trayhorn of 388 Baker Street, Enfield, Middx.
Jimmy went to school in Enfield and joined the Air Training Corps where he became a bugler in the band.
As soon as he was able Jimmy joined the RAF and on the 24/2/42 was classed as A1 fit and told to await enlistment papers which duly arrived on the 29/1/43. He reported to the Air Crew Selection Board at Oxford and was recruited as Air Gunner. He was placed on the standard 6 months Reserve Service at Home. On the 26/7/43 Jimmy reported to 14 Initial Training Wing until the 7/8/43. Following basic training he went to 1 Elementary Air Gunnery School until the 23/11/43. Leaving as Sergeant Air Gunner RAF he transferred to Lancaster Flight Training School until 15/3/44 when he was posted with his crew to 1 Group 550 Squadron North Killingholme, Lincolnshire. Initially the crew consisted of P/Officer SC Beeson Pilot, Sgt. KJR Hewlett Flight Engineer, F/Sgt. ER McQuarrie Navigator, Sgt. D Neal A/Bomber, Sgt. JK Norgate WO.Air Gunner, Sgt. HS Picton Mid Upper Gunner, Sgt. JA Trayhorn Rear Gunner. Later Squadron Leader K MacAleavy replaced McQuarrie as Navigator.
31 sorties later Jimmy was reported as missing in action on the 28/8/44 later confirmed as killed in action whilst bombing enemy V1 launch sites at Wemers Capel Northern France. This was the last 'Crossbow' raid by the RAF against V1 launch sites. The 3 gunners were killed whilst the rest of the crew spent the war as POW's.
The three lie in Bollezelle cemetery.
Photo of sortie list at top.