Sgt Reuben Trafford - 153 Squadron

Sergeant Reuben Trafford - 153 Squadron

Sergeant Reuben Victor Trafford - RAFVR

Sergeant Reuben Trafford was serving as a an Air Gunner on board Lancaster Mk.III PB636 coded P4-D during an operation to Duisberg January 22/23, 1945. The aircraft left Scampton at 1645hrs and failed to return, the aircraft and crew were lost without a trace.

The crew consisted of:

Name	Service	Trade	Hometown	Age
F/L Alan Jones DFC	RAF	Pilot	Stoke Newington,London	26
Sgt Sydney Strettle James	RAFVR	Flight Engineer	Wimbledon, Surrey	39
F/Sgt Jack McDonell	RAAF	Navigator	Ormond, Victoria, Australia	20
F/Sgt Charles Cullen	RAFVR	Bomb Aimer	Lincoln	24
W/O John Edwin Bates	RAAF	W/Op/AG	Gunning, New South Wales	22
Sgt Albert Simpson	RAFVR	Air Gunner	Preston,Lancs.	24
Sgt Reuben Trafford	RAFVR	Air Gunner	Scunthorpe, Lincs.	29

Reuben Trafford with bride Vera Drury

Sergeant Reuben Victor Trafford RAFVR known as "Vic" and born on the 11^th October 1925, was the son of Horace and Kate Trafford of Crowie, Lincolnshire and husband of Vera May Trafford of Scunthorpe, Lincs.

He enlisted on the 29^th March 1939 at RAF Scampton as a driver on a seven year stint. When war broke out he was posted to a salvage and recovery unit as a driver and served on many stations throughout England. On June 25^th 1942 he married Vera May Drury at St.Mary’s church, Frodingham.

In mid 1943 he volunteered for aircrew and after his initial training attended air gunnery school. Following this he did aircraft familiarization training on Wellingtons and then Lancasters. On 24^th March 1944 he was promoted to Sergeant. On September 1^st 1944 he was posted to 166 squadron at RAF Kirmington before being transferred along with the rest of his crew to 153 squadron at RAF Scampton which at the time comprised of A & B flights. He then went on to complete various sorties over Europe before being killed.

Photos and information courtesy of Patrick Quickfall, research by Linda Ibrom