E004 Jefferson Heywood WEDGWOOD (2)

E004 Jefferson Heywood WEDGWOOD. DFC and Bar, Squadron-Leader, Pilot, 37645, Royal Air Force, 138 Squadron, formerly pilot with 92 Squadron. Born 28 May 1917 at 42 Regents Park Road, London. Only son to Jefferson Wedgwood and Mary Heywood Wedgwood, nee Jones of “Wenonah”, Aldwick near Bognor Regis in Sussex. He was passenger in a Halifax bomber which crashed 17th December 1942 near RAF Luqa, Malta.

At rest in Capuccini Naval Cemetery, Malta Plot E Grave 04

Polish Air Force and one RAF crew and passengers, total seventeen in a Handley Page Halifax four engined heavy bomber Serial number DT542 on a Transit Flight from Cairo, via Malta for England. The plane took off from RAF Luqa after re-fuelling at about 04.00 hrs and crashed on open ground beyond the runway in the area of Zejtun, Malta on 17th December 1942 killing all 17 on board. The cause of the accident may have been engine failure. Another theory is, the plane had just flown over Zejtun when a large explosion was heard and the plane crashed into fields then caught fire. It is believed that is was mistakenly shot down by Anti-Aircraft gun fire.
Unfortunately, those who knew what happened were killed.

DFC Citation
Sqn. Ldr. J. H. WEDGWOOD. R.A.F.O. No. 92 Squadron
In August, 1942, whilst patrolling the battle area, this officer led bis squadron brilliantly in an attack against a superior number of enemy fighters. Despite the odds. Sqn. Ldr. Wedgwood so disposed his squadron that, during the combat, at least four enemy aircraft were destroyed and several more were damaged. Throughout, this officer who, in the fighting, shot down a Me. 109F, displayed great tactical ability. He has destroyed at least six and damaged many more hostile aircraft.