Sergeant David John Boyd (652467) served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. He was the son of the late David John Boyd of Belfast, a stoker in the Royal Navy during The Great War.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission records list his name as Daniel David Boyd rather than David John Boyd. Family and friends in Belfast knew him as Davey. Family memories suggest he had been a soldier in the late 1930s and had a few run-ins with authorities. Changing his name slightly during the Second World War allowed him to enlist in the Royal Air Force with a clean slate on his service record. Anecdotal evidence from family members suggests Davey was a colourful character. He worked in Egypt at some point before enlisting in the Royal Air Force.
He died on 15th August 1943 on Vickers Wellington LN431 with R.A.F. 420 Squadron. At the time, the crew was on a large raid over Pizzo and Lamezia, Italy.
Remembering the crew of Wellington LN431
| Last Name | First Name(s) | Rank | Role | Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parr | John Martland | Sergeant | Pilot | R.A.F.V.R. 1431080. Killed. |
| Dadge | William George Henry | Sergeant | Bomb Aimer | R.A.F.V.R. 1168383. Killed. |
| Nettle | Desmond John | Sergeant | R.A.F.V.R. 1320693. Killed. | |
| Norgrove | Eric Stanley Raymond | Sergeant | R.A.F.V.R. 1312417. Killed. | |
| Boyd | David John | Sergeant | R.A.F. 652467. Killed. Also known as Daniel David Boyd. |
David John Boyd has no known grave. His name is on Panel 8, Column 1 of the Malta Memorial, Malta. His name is also commemorated on his father’s grave in Belfast City Cemetery, Belfast.