Gunner II John Moore (1903432) served in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. As a Gunner II, he would have been a non-commissioned officer after World War Two serving in RAF 115 Squadron.
John was the son of John Moore and Margaret Moore of Belfast, Co. Antrim. He died on 11th November 1947 aged 28 years old.
Moore was a gunner on Avro Lancaster B1 TW647 taking part in a fighter affiliation exercise from RAF Witchford, Cambridgeshire. This Lancaster was second last on the starboard side of the 6-plane formation. De Havilland Hornet F1 PX284 simulated an attack from the rear but misjudged the breakaway distance. The escort plane collided with the larger Lancaster bomber.
The Hornet lost its port wing causing the plane to lose control and come down near Stanford, Norfolk. The Lancaster went into a shallow dive that increased causing the nose to break off behind the pilot’s seat. This threw Flight Officer PE Clarke clear and allowed him to deploy his parachute. All other crew members on board Lancaster TW647 died in the crash.
| Last Name | First Name(s) | Rank | Role | Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steedman | David McCandlish | Pilot I | Hornet Pilot | 1344897. RAF 19 Squadron. |
| Allan | Geoffrey Alderson | Gunner II | Lancaster Gunner | 2206054. RAF 115 Squadron. |
| Edwards | David Alvin Lloyd | Navigator II | Lancaster Navigator | 1656102. RAF 115 Squadron. |
| Emery | Alick Charles Richard | Signaller II | Lancaster Signaller | 1295723. RAF 115 Squadron. |
| Humphreys | Peter Harry | Squadron Leader | Lancaster Passenger | 84961. RAF 115 Squadron. Distinguished Flying Cross. |
| Gillespie | William Henry | Flying Officer | 166966. RAF 115 Squadron. | |
| Moore | John | Gunner II | Lancaster Gunner | 1903432. RAF 115 Squadron. |
| Scatchard | Harold Owen | Flight Lieutenant | 53733. RAF 115 Squadron. |
John Moore’s grave is in Section LL, Grave 47 of Carnmoney Cemetery, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim. His headstone bears the inscription:
At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember him.