Sergeant Robert Charles Bebe (2211019) served in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve during the Second World War. Born on 12th May 1926, he was the son of Albert Edmund Bebe and Mary Edith Bebe (née Morrison) of Mullavilly, Co. Armagh.
He attended Lurgan College, Lurgan, Co. Armagh from September 1941 to August 1942 and may have lied about his age to enlist in the Royal Air Force after school. The Air Gunner died on 23rd April 1945 aged 19 years old on board Liberator KH217 with RAF 99 Squadron. At the time, the squadron was at Dhubalia Airfield, Bengal, India.
Imperial War Museum Photo: IWM (CI 1013) (Part of the Air Ministry Second World War Official Collection). Consolidated Liberator B Mark VIs of RAF 99 Squadron with their attendant ground crews lined up at Dhubalia Airfield, Bengal, India. Copyright Flight Lieutenant T Lea - Royal Air Force Official Photographer.
Some reports suggest the plane crashed during feathering practice 10 miles off Cox’s Bazar, India (now Bangladesh). Contrary evidence suggests another alternative. The Liberator came down during a 12-plane operation to bomb Japanese ammunition and supply dumps at Area C of Rangoon, Burma.
Remembering the crew of Liberator KH217
| Last Name | First Name(s) | Rank | Role | Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bebe | Robert Charles | Sergeant | Air Gunner | RAFVR 2211019. |
| Culbert | Bernard Douglas | Flying Officer | RAFVR 159393. | |
| Duckles | Stanley | Flight Sergeant | RAFVR 1594025. | |
| Dunn | Richard John | Flight Sergeant | RAFVR 1323985. | |
| Gibbs | Harold John | Flying Officer | Pilot | RAAF 418529. |
| Loton | Eric Rex | Flying Officer | RAAF 424425. | |
| McIntosh | Angus | Flight Sergeant | RAFVR 1783260. | |
| Steele | John | Sergeant | RAFVR 1825981. |
Robert Charles Bebe has no known grave. His name is on Column 451 of the Singapore Memorial, Singapore. In January 1952, Robert’s parents donated a linen cloth in memory of their son to Mullavilly Parish Church, Mullavilly, Co. Armagh. The Lurgan College War Memorial, Lurgan, Co. Armagh lists the name of WAM Bebe although this should be that of Robert Charles Bebe.