Date: 16/06/1941
Squadron Code: TR-G
Serial Number: Blenheim IV ?
Flight/Mission Details:

Base: Detling
Take off time: 1558hrs
Op: Strike

According to the ORB on the above mentioned date. P/O Villa and crew took off for a "strike" mission against the gas works at Boulougne. Rendezvous is noted with the fighter escort at Canterbury but the crew failed to return. It is unknown at this stage whether P/O Villa was killed, it is possible he became a POW. Sgt's McIntyre and Mortimer are buried in Boulougne.

 
Crew Details:

 
Sgt SW McIntyre+
P/O Villa
Sgt JA Mortimer+

 
Source: C/C Losses - McNeill

During WWII, the RAF used three-letter codes to identify their aircraft from a distance. Two large letters were painted before the roundel, which signified the squadron to which the aircraft belonged, and another letter was painted after the roundel which indicated the individual aircraft. Aditionally, there was the individual serial number for each aircraft, which was painted in a much smaller size, usually somewhere at the rear of the aircraft: (more)

Codes used by RAF 59 Squadron:

PJ Sep 1938 - Sep 1939
TR Sep 1939 - Oct 1942
1 Aug 1943 - Jul 1944
WE Jul 1944 - Oct 1945
BY Oct 1945 - Jun 1946, Dec 1947 - Oct 1950