Reginald Edward ASHARD

Reginald Edward ASHARD. Aircraftman 1st Class 1409954 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
Born 3 May 1909 baptised 7 June 1908 at Royal Marine Artillery Church, Eastney to Corporal Edward George (R.M.A.) and Amelia Alice Ashard, nee Murrells nr Portsmouth. 1911 his father (still in the R.M.A.) was residing at 38 Ringwood Road, Eastney, which was at that time close to the barracks. (Barracks now closed 2015, now flats. His wife and Reginald were at the home of Mary Ann Murrells, (her mother) at 12 Ashburnham Grove, Greenwich, London.
Husband of Ethel Madge, nee Tucker who he married in 1938 at St. Austell, Cornwall

July 19th 1945, he was on duty with others in a pinnace of the Marine Craft Section, RAF Aldergrove, Antrim, who were on standby for Air/Sea Rescue patrols in Lough Neagh during the flights of the Royal party to and from Londonderry. He fell overboard from the pinnace and was drowned despite a gallant rescue attempt by AC1 McLoughlin, who has been recommended for a Mention in Despatches.

He was mentioned in the RAF Aldergrove Station (ORB) Operational Record Books
Died as the result of drowning 19 July 1945.
At rest in Eglantine Church of Ireland Cemetery County Down Northern Ireland.

Wills and Admin, Ancestry.
Reginald Edward ASHARD of 5 Hill Crest St Georges Hill Perranporth Cornwall. Died on date stated. His effects went to his widow Ethel Madge Lloyd wife of Kenneth James Loydd

Trivia
The RAF used marine craft from 1918 to 1986 for a large variety of purposes, including the support of flying boat operations, target towing, range safety and Air/Sea Rescue.