Died: Killed at the tragically young age of 19 whilst undergoing his operational training with 52 OTU at RAF Debden, when his Hurricane failed to pull out of a high-speed dive and crashed in nearby Bishop’s Stortford. This accident occurred in 1941 and was most probably due to the pilot losing consciousness due to problems with his oxygen supply. Eric’s family grave contains a sister who served in the WAAF, who also died during the Second World War in what appeared to be heroic circumstances.
Address / Local links: (in 1939) 32 Sandringham Drive in Bexley. Later at 23 Blendon Drive, Bexleyheath
Family / Relatives: Son of John W Easton and Victoria Easton. Brother of Joan
Local Papers / Websites: ( http://blitzwalkers.blogspot.com/2019/07/ )
BROTHERS & SISTERS IN ARMS…
It’s not uncommon to find names of brothers killed in action on various war memorials, but to find the names of a brother and sister is rare – today you can see the name EASTON twice on Welling’s War Memorial – Joan, and her younger brother Eric…
Here is Eric Easton’s story.
Eric John Easton
Eric was born on the 18th August 1921, the son of John Ogilvy Hood Easton (1893 – 1981) and Victoria Clementina nee Jamieson (1896 – 1973). John was born in Greenwich and Victoria was born in Bridge Nr Canterbury. They were married in 1916 at St Thomas Church, Charlton. John was an engineer. Tragically his older sister Section Officer Joan Marjorie (1917 – 1943) lost her life in a heroic action whilst serving as a WAAF. (Joan’s story can also be found on our EWT website).
Charlton Cemetery
Both are buried in Charlton Cemetery – “a cemetery, opened in 1855, covering 15 acres of ground in Charlton, south-east London. Situated in Cemetery Lane to the east of Charlton Park, the cemetery has retained its Victorian layout, and features two 19th-century chapels and numerous military graves.
It was originally created as a “Gentleman’s Cemetery” by Charlton Burial Board on eight acres of land that were formerly part of the estate of Sir Thomas Maryon Wilson. A further seven acres was added in the 20th century”.
Eric was baptised on the 6th September 1921 in St Mary Magdalene Church, Woolwich. The family are living at 43 Kinveachy Gardens, Charlton. Other than this we have no information about Eric’s early years.
Eric must have joined the Air Force at a very early age as by the time he was killed, at the age of 19, he had achieved the rank of Sergeant.
According to records found he met his untimely death whilst flying a Hurricane1 fighter plane from the 52nd Operational Training Unit, based in RAF Debden, Essex.
52 OTU was formed in March 1941 at RAF Debden to train fighter pilots using the Hawker Hurricane – The airfield was opened in April 1937 and was first used by the Royal Air Force. (One of Debden’s early and most bizarre experiences was when the airfield was chosen as a location for the film “It’s in the Air” in which George Formby was to pilot a Hawker Fury through Hangar No. 3!)…Soon, however, the airfield came to face real wartime dangers, and it was heavily bombed in the early days of the Battle of Britain. In September 1942 the base was transferred to the United States Army Air Force Eight Air Force. By that date, however, our Eric Easton had already lost his life in the previous year…
It is understood that Eric had been on an oxygen test there at the time and that the most likely cause was thought to have been related to oxygen supply problems. The plane nosedived into the ground, near Bishops Stortford Hertfordshire, at speed from a high altitude. It is claimed that it was not possible to gather sufficient evidence for an investigation but it is possible that Eric blacked out through lack of oxygen which is why he was unable to pull the plane out of the dive. Apparently there had been other cases where aircraft had dived into the ground from over 20,000 feet. It is said that his death certificate states ‘Cause of Death’ – “Flying Accident Due to War Operations”.
He was buried in the same grave as his grandmother Margaret Easton (Sec.C. 1st Gen.Joint grave 793). Their gravestone reads:
In memory of Margaret Easton.
Dearly loved wife and mother born Inverness, Angus.
24th December 1866 passed away 30th January 30th January 1937.
And her dear Grandson
Eric John Easton , RAFVR.
Called to higher service 30th April 1941. Aged 19.
His sister Joan was also buried in the same grave when she was sadly killed on the 8th September 1943.
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Pictured are images of Charlton cemetery and the family grave, plus RAF Debden during WW2.
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If anyone is able to add any extra information, provide more family details, or suggest any corrections, please let us know – also, if anyone has any more photos of this individual listed on our memorials, please get in touch. Thank you.
Commemorated
- Welling War Memorial
- Charlton Cemetery
This story has been researched by volunteers. We have taken every effort to ensure its accuracy. If you are related to Eric John Easton, or if you have any further information, please do get in touch.