Henry William Aparicio

This story is shared by the Trust with kind permission from Mavis Williams, Researcher with FlintshireWarMemorials.com

Henry William Aparicio was born on the 16th of February 1924 in Mile End Old Town, London, the youngest son of Ernest Albert & Mary Lucy Aparicio (née Wood). His parents had married in a civil ceremony in the September quarter of 1911. Ernest had served in the First World War in the Royal Welsh Regiment.

The 1921 census shows the family  living at 14, Robeson Street, Mile End Old Town, London with their children, Ernest A. Aparicio (jnr) who was 9 years and 2 months old, George T. Aparicio, 4 years and 3 months old and baby Frederick W. Aparicio, 6 months old, who were all born in Mile End, London.

The 1939 National Register, which was taken on the 29th of September 1939, shows the family living at 35, Robeson Street, Mile End Old Town, just up the road from where they were before. Henry W. Aparicio was single and working as an Office Porter.

Henry's brother, Ernest, served in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the war as a wireless operator mechanic. Henry was also serving in the RAF as a Gunner in 297 Squadron, a special duties squadron which flew supply-dropping flights to resistance forces in France until D-Day.

On the D-Day the Squadron was involved in Operations Tonga and Mallard. Henry was part of the crew of Albemarle Mk.V V1773 which took off on Operation Mallard on the evening of 6th June. They were towing a glider carrying 8 men of 6th Airborne Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps, a jeep and 4 panniers. However, this was to be their last mission. Their aircraft was reported missing and it was discovered that whilst they had been able to release the glider near Ranville, Calvados their aircraft was hit by a German anti-aircraft flak ship stationed in the Caen Canal and they crashed near Biéville-sur-Orne, Calvados.