Sidney's Story.
The Service of Sidney T Farrington in the RAFVRSid joined 144 Squadron RAF in September 1941 after completing his training. He flew 6 missions in Hampden bombers including missions against targets in Germany and against convoys in the North Sea. On 27 November 1941 returning from an attack on Dusseldorf his aircraft was attacked by a German fighter but he managed to escape by taking violent evasive action. However, when he arrived back over England total cloud cover obscured the ground and running low on fuel he was forced to attempt to descend through the clouds as he descended through the clouds the aircraft crashed into high ground in the Cotswolds area. The rear gunner was killed immediately but Sid and the other crew survived with minor injuries.
Crash Report from 144 Squadron Operation Report
144 Squadron Hampden
In April 1942 Sid transferred to 49 Squadron RAF and flew 5 missions in Avro Manchester aircraft and 1 mission in a Lancaster. On 30th May 1942 Sid took part in the first ever 1000 bomber attack by the RAF on the German city of Cologne.
49 Squadron Manchesters prepare to join 1000 bomber mission to Cologne
49 Squadron Operation Record for 1000 Bomber mission to Cologne
Leaving 49 Squadron Sid went on to join 214 Special Operations Squadron RAF where he flew an additional 19 missions in Fortress III aircraft. The special operations missions included Windows missions where they flew ahead of bomber formations and dropped strips of aluminum foil to confuse enemy radar. They also flew Jostle missions which involved jamming enemy radar with on board electronic jamming equipment. In other missions they carried German speaking radio operators who would try to misdirect attacking German fighters by giving them false information.
214 Squadron Fortress with Dome for Jamming equipment
By the end of the war Sid had flown at least 31 missions.
He went on to teach at Edleston Road Junior School and Gainsborough Junior School in Crewe.
He passed away in May 1981 aged 61
Crewe Chronicle 14 May 1981