Plt Off JRB Meaker (BOB pilot)

[edstraker]

Gentlemen,I am trying to find more infomation on Pilot Officer JRB Meaker who lost his life during the Battle Of Britain on the 27th September 1940.

I am trying to find out the serial number and tactical code of his Hurricane Mk1 and any other infomation you can supply me.

The 27th of September was a bad day for 249 Squadron as I'm sure you're aware of,not only did Plt Off Meaker lose his life but his colleague Plt Off P R-F Burton also perished on that day.

But anyway please help me if you can,I would appreciate any infomation you can give me,thank you very much.

[tcullen]

Sir,
P.O. Meaker is mentioned on page 46 of the Book by Wing Commander Tom Neil who flew with P.O. Meaker, Tom is still a very active member of our association.
The Book is "Gun Button to Fire" ISBN 978 1 84868 848 3.
I hope this helps.
Tommy Cullen,
Hon Sec

[edstraker]

Thanks Tommy I really appreciate this,the book looks like a dam good read.

[tcullen]

The association Chairman and I were at North Weald Gate Guardian in October last year when there was a ceremony to remember those lost at the battle of Britain. P.O. Meakers name was included on the newly installed plaques.
T.C.

[tcullen]

There is also a lot of info in Brian Culls 249 at War, this is the history of 249 during ww11.
Tommy

[edstraker]

Hi Tommy,yes I have heard that there is a wealth of info in 249 at War and have bought one accordingly ;D.

Re your previous message,it's nice to know these real heroes are still being thought of 70 years on,great stuff.

I read today that the young P/O Meaker was caught out by crossfire from a Ju88 and that whilst he was able to bail out,on doing so he hit his own tail of his Hurricane as he left his thingy pit.

All of these stories are very interesting and I am delving deeper through books to find out more.

I would love to know his tactical number of his aircraft though,the serial number was 'P3834'.

His colleague P R-F Burton who was South African,also died on the 27th September,earlier on that day his aircraft was serial number 'V6883',tactical number GN H.

If anyone can source P/O Meaker's aircraft tactical number I would really appreciate it,thanks.

And thanks once again Tommy for you're kind help sir.

[tcullen]

My email address is on the wedsite please contact me.
T.C.

[edstraker]

Ok,new info found to those interested,P/O Meaker was a reporter for the 'Chichester Observer' before becoming a pilot,and he is buried just outside Chichester at West Dean,although the wearabouts are unknown.

This has particular interest for me as I grew up in Chichester,......small world.


The new info came courtesy of Tangmere Aviation Museum,thanks Tangmere I had a splendid time at your excellent museum.

[racingsnake]

I should be able to provide some more information about the final resting-place tomorrow: will be seeing one of P/O Meaker's two sisters. More details as I get them.

[racingsnake]

Hi - as promised, some more information about P/O JRB (Bryan) Meaker's resting- place: he is buried in the churchyard at West Dean, along with his parents and older brother Derek. I'm told that you need to go straight ahead through the gate and head for the corner. If I get a chance to investigate in person I'll post an update. Hope this helps...
(I'm one of Bryan's nephews, by the way, in case you were wondering)

[daveng]

Hi, did anyone check out the information concerning Bryan Meaker’s last resting place? My friend and I visited St Andrews churchyard on our way to the Tangmere museum, but we could find no trace of any graves for P/O Meaker or his family although he was mentioned on two plaques in the church itself.
Is there another cemetery/graveyard in this small village?

[edstraker]

Just logged on,and have'nt visited the website since last year,and wow,a little more info on our hero,fantastic.Pity we can't find his final resting place but maybe it'll surface in the future.

One of the snippets of info I'd love to nail is what the Squadron code 'letter' of his aircraft was on the day he died 27/9/1940,all I have is V6635 GN-?,can anybody help?

I have searched through the book '249 At War' but to no avail,and have also searched through Tom Neils 'Gun Button To Fire' but again no further info given.It must be registered somewhere surely.

Whilst on the subject of Squadron code letters,I am also trying to identify Flg Off PRF Burton's Hurricane code letter,again all I have is V6683 GN-?,he was also KIA on the 27/9/1940 and should've received the VC for his actions.

(Edit Believe PRF Burton's Squadron code may have been 'H',so GN-H,but would still like confirmation.)

BTW Great to hear from you racingsnake,nice to hear from the Meaker family and honoured by your input,thank you.

[racingsnake]

Ed, greetings, and many apologies for not having provided an update before now.

First, a clarification about P/O Meaker's grave. You're right: St Andrew's churchyard is not the only cemetery in the village, and Bryan's grave in the other one... Sorry about that; I didn't twig it myself until last Summer, after a similarly fruitless stroll around the churchyard. The other cemetery is just off the A286, but one turning *before* the one to St Andrew's (if you're heading North on the A286). I hope this helps. Will send more details after my next attempt.

Second, I have a scanned photo. I'll see if it's already on the site here, and try to upload it if not. It's from the Chicester Observer, so others may already have seen/posted it.

Best wishes, and sorry again for the long silence.

[racingsnake]

Ed, as promised, here's a copy of the photo showing P/O JRB (Bryan) Meaker (left) and fellow officer in their flying kit.
Originally printed in the Chichester Observer.

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