97/Steven Crew: Rainsford
Name/Title
97/Steven Crew: RainsfordEntry/Object ID
2022.1.450Description
Jimmy Rainsford, navigator, Steven crew, 97 Squadron. (2 images)Context
Jimmy Rainsford was Albert East's best friend and would be his best man at his wedding. A member of the Steven crew, he had been shot down on 27/28 August 1943 when standing in with another crew. They were: FSgt H A Pond RNZAF - evader FO V C Peters - killed FSgt T W N McGrath RAAF - killed Sgt E Gillman - pow Sgt J Kenny - pow Sgt J E Rainsford - evader Sgt O Ramsden - evader The aircraft having come down at Sibret in Belgium, three of the surviving crew members managed with civilian help to evade capture and eventually made it back to England. This was a very rare success at that time in the air war. Jimmy would be a huge support to the East family and Albert's fiancee after Albert was shot down in January of the following year. Donated by Joan Champion and Paul East, April 2021.Collection
97 Squadron, YEAS: ALBERT EAST & the Steven CrewCategory
QAI: Personal photographs, QRB: Evasion and Escape