The then Sgt Couchman (WAG) joined 59 Sqn (RAF Thorney Island) when posted from RAF Andover in Sept 1940 along with his crew (P/O McCurdy - pilot - P/O Eric Moore - observer) and the crews of P/O RFW Johnson, Garrard and Knill. the crews of McCurdy and Knill were assigned to 'A' flight, who at the time were detached to Aldergrove, so it would be a week before operations began. (See "Battle of France" history page for more info). (sourced from the memoirs of Alec McCurdy). When P/O McCurdy was posted to 18 Sqn early in 1942, Sgt Couchman remained with 59 Sqn and was recorded as later crewed with P/O Tiller's (later F/L) Hudson crew. He stayed with Tiller after 59 Sqn converted to Liberators and was crew during the attack in Nov 1942 on U-263. Richard Couchman survived the war and was easliy one of 59 Sqn's most experienced WAG's. |