Sergeant Richard Major (1074283) served in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve during the Second World War. He was the son of Robert Major and Susanna Major of Ballynagarrick, Gilford, Co. Down.
Richard died on 15th August 1943 aged 28 years old. He was a member of the crew of Handley Page Halifax HR745 of R.A.F. 58 Squadron. The Mark II plane took off from R.A.F. Holmsley South, Hampshire on a Musketry II Patrol over the Bay of Biscay.
At 1548hrs, the crew came under attack from 5 Luftwaffe Junkers JU88 fighter planes. Oberleutnant Albrecht Bellstedt of 14/KG40 shot down the R.A.F. plane.
Remembering the crew of Halifax HR745
| Last Name | First Name(s) | Rank | Role | Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barron | Richard John Henry | Flight Sergeant | RAFVR 1383861. Killed in action. | |
| Davies | Leonard Alfred | Flight Sergeant | RAFVR 1376721. Killed in action. | |
| Dunbar | Ian Stoddart | Pilot Officer | RAFVR 155027. Killed in action. | |
| Hillman | Stanley Eric | Sergeant | RAFVR 1381703. Killed in action. | |
| MacKenzie | Ronald Roy Patrick | Flight Sergeant | RAFVR 1377246. Killed in action. | |
| Major | Richard | Sergeant | RAFVR 1074283. Killed in action. | |
| Shaw | Harry Joseph | Sergeant | RAF 575561. Killed in action. | |
| Trotter | John | Flight Sergeant | RAFVR 1087715. Killed in action. |
Richard Major has no known grave. His name is on Panel 158 of the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey. His name is also on the Gilford War Memorial, Gilford, Co. Down.