WENDES, Robert John

Carisbrooke Cemetery, Isle of Wight UKCredit: Gary Newman

Warrant Officer (Navigator)
109 Squadron
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Robert was born 1921 in Newport to Samson & Blanche Ethel May (nee PARSONS) WENDES.

Robert was killed on the 16th of November 1944, aged 23. His Mosquito aircraft took off on a Day Mission to mark targets over Aachen & the Rhine. On return to base, they encountered extremely poor visibility. The pilot decided to make an SBA landing. As he approached the runway, he could be seen lifting sharply so as not to fly into the HT cables. The pilot lost control while avoiding the HT cables on the SBA landing. The aircraft stopped & turned to the ground at 1525 near RAF Little Staughton. Both crew were lost.

CWGC Casualty Record

Cemetary

Carisbrooke Cemetery

Location

Carisbrooke Cemetery, often referred to as 'Mount Joy' Cemetery is located on Whitcombe Road, Carisbrooke PO30 1DW.  The cemetery was established in 1858 on land purchased by the Carisbrooke & Gatcombe Burial Board, because St. Mary's Churchyard in Carisbrooke was becoming full. The cemetery is now managed by the Bereavement Services Department of the Isle of Wight Council.
The cemetery contains 32 War Graves from the 1st & 2nd World Wars.