Name
Godfrey George William Pledger
Conflict
Second World War
Date of Death / Age
11/02/1942
27
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Flying Officer
88652
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BARKWAY (ST. MARY MAGDALENE) CHURCHYARD
S.E. of Church
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
ALWAYS REMEMBERED. DOROTHY
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Boys’ Grammar School Memorial (WW2), We do not yet know if he is on any Barkway memorial
Biography
He journeyed daily to Hitchin from his home in Barkway, near Royston where he had previously attended the local school. He was a pupil at Hitchin Grammar School from 1925-1930 and left after passing the Oxford Senior School Certificate. He then joined his father, Mr V. Pledger, in his butchery business in Barkway.
Early in 1938 he joined the R.A.F.V.R with the Service Number 88652 and soon qualified as an instructor. Several of his pupils were later decorated and he was instructing at the time that he met his death. He was a member of No. 6 Flying Training School.
He is buried in Barkway Churchyard near Royston. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission stone indicates that he was a pilot, and the private inscription reads "Always remembered Dorothy". Also on his grave is a flower vase which includes the words "who met his death on active service whilst training flying instructors". Barkway churchyard is a most peaceful and beautiful place with the grave set among others of his family.
Acknowledgments
David C Baines – ‘Hitchin’s Century of Sacrifice’, Hitchin Grammar School Chronicle, Hitchin Grammar School Registers, Mr Allan Sapsed - former acquaintance, Paul Johnson - local historian
