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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

John Stanley George Arundel

In memory of:

Flight Sergeant John Stanley George Arundel

July 25, 1942

Military Service

Service Number:

R/83862

Age:

21

Force:

Air Force

Unit:

Royal Canadian Air Force

Division:

411 Sqdn.

Additional Information

Son of S. George Arundel, and of Laura Arundel, of Millbrook, Ontario, Canada.

Commemorated on Page 55 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information

Cemetery:

RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL
Surrey, United Kingdom

Grave Reference:

Panel 102.

Location:

During the Second World War more than 116,000 men and women of the Air Forces of the British Commonwealth gave their lives in service. More than 17,000 of these were members of the Royal Canadian Air Force, or Canadians serving with the Royal Air Force. Approximately one-third of all who died have no known grave. Of these, 20,450 are commemorated by name on the Runnymede Memorial, which is situated at Englefield Green, near Egham, 32 kilometers by road west of London.

The design of the Runnymede Memorial is original and striking. On the crest of Cooper's Hill, overlooking the Thames, a square tower dominates a cloister, in the centre of which rests the Stone of Remembrance. The cloistered walks terminate in two lookouts, one facing towards Windsor, and the other towards London Airport at Heathrow. The names of the dead are inscribed on the stone reveals of the narrow windows in the cloisters and the lookouts. They include those of 3,050 Canadian airmen. Above the three-arched entrance to the cloister is a great stone eagle with the Royal Air Force motto, Per Ardua ad Astra". On each side is the inscription:

IN THIS CLOISTER ARE RECORDED THE NAMES OF TWENTY THOUSAND AIRMEN WHO HAVE NO KNOWN GRAVE. THEY DIED FOR FREEDOM IN RAID AND SORTIE OVER THE BRITISH ISLES AND THE LANDS AND SEAS OF NORTHERN AND WESTERN EUROPE

In the tower a vaulted shrine, which provides a quiet place for contemplation, contains illuminated verses by Paul H. Scott."

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

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  • Inscription– Flight Sergeant John Stanley George Arundel is also commemorated at St George's Royal Air Force Chapel of Remembrance - Biggin Hill … name on the panels that surround the Altar … Photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

    Details

    Inscription
    Inscription – Flight Sergeant John Stanley George Arundel is also commemorated at St George's Royal Air Force Chapel of Remembrance - Biggin Hill … name on the panels that surround the Altar … Photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Memorial– Flight Sergeant John Stanley George Arundel is also commemorated at St George's Royal Air Force Chapel of Remembrance - Biggin Hill … the Altar … Photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

    Details

    Memorial
    Memorial – Flight Sergeant John Stanley George Arundel is also commemorated at St George's Royal Air Force Chapel of Remembrance - Biggin Hill … the Altar … Photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Biggin Hill– Flight Sergeant John Stanley George Arundel is also commemorated at St George's Royal Air Force Chapel of Remembrance - Biggin Hill … Photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

    Details

    Biggin Hill
    Biggin Hill – Flight Sergeant John Stanley George Arundel is also commemorated at St George's Royal Air Force Chapel of Remembrance - Biggin Hill … Photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Photo of John S. G. Arundel– Flight Sergeant JSG Arundel is in the centre, my uncle Flight Sergeant Bunn 277 Squardon is on the right and Flight Sergeant WA Rance on the left. Arundel and my uncle Flight Sergeant Bunn were killed together on 25th July 1942 when their Boulton Paul Defiant was shot down by Unteroffizer Boerner form 9th Staffel of JG26 (his firt kill). The aircraft, from RAF Martelsham Heath, has gone in search of a downed pilot off Dunkirk. They had an escort of two Spitfires, one of which was also shot down when six FW190s attacked them. Full account of Flt Sgt Arundel's activities is in Norman Frank's book"Another Kind of Courage". The picture I have sent also appears in the book having been supplied by W.A. Rance who contributed to Mr Frank's book.

    Details

    Photo of John S. G. Arundel
    Photo of John S. G. Arundel – Flight Sergeant JSG Arundel is in the centre, my uncle Flight Sergeant Bunn 277 Squardon is on the right and Flight Sergeant WA Rance on the left. Arundel and my uncle Flight Sergeant Bunn were killed together on 25th July 1942 when their Boulton Paul Defiant was shot down by Unteroffizer Boerner form 9th Staffel of JG26 (his firt kill). The aircraft, from RAF Martelsham Heath, has gone in search of a downed pilot off Dunkirk. They had an escort of two Spitfires, one of which was also shot down when six FW190s attacked them. Full account of Flt Sgt Arundel's activities is in Norman Frank's book"Another Kind of Courage". The picture I have sent also appears in the book having been supplied by W.A. Rance who contributed to Mr Frank's book.
  • Group Photo– Left: Flt Sgt WA Rance Centre: Flt Sgt John Arundel Right: Sgt William Bunn John and William were were killed when their Boulton Paul Defiant V1117 of 277 Squadron operating from Martelsham Heath, Suffolk which was being escorted by two Spitfires on an ASR (Air Sea Rescue) mission looking for a downed pilot 4 miles off Dunkirk. They were intercepted by 6 FW190s, one Spitfire and the Defiant were shot down and the crews lost. William and John often flew together, this photograph is now displayed on the anniversary of their death at St George's Chapel, Biggin Hill, Kent, UK. This was the last Defiant lost to enemy action. William Bunn was my uncle, one of the many brave young chaps who stood up to the plate and gave their all.

    Details

    Group Photo
    Group Photo – Left: Flt Sgt WA Rance Centre: Flt Sgt John Arundel Right: Sgt William Bunn John and William were were killed when their Boulton Paul Defiant V1117 of 277 Squadron operating from Martelsham Heath, Suffolk which was being escorted by two Spitfires on an ASR (Air Sea Rescue) mission looking for a downed pilot 4 miles off Dunkirk. They were intercepted by 6 FW190s, one Spitfire and the Defiant were shot down and the crews lost. William and John often flew together, this photograph is now displayed on the anniversary of their death at St George's Chapel, Biggin Hill, Kent, UK. This was the last Defiant lost to enemy action. William Bunn was my uncle, one of the many brave young chaps who stood up to the plate and gave their all.

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