Foreman, Robert Wilkinson (Robert)
Sergeant
No. 1052298, 153 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Killed on active service on Saturday 10 January 1942 (aged 20)
No known grave
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Runnymede Memorial, Surrey, England (Panel 97)
BIOGRAPHY
Robert Wilkinson Foreman was born on 22 January 1921 and he was a son of John T. Foreman and Hilda Foreman (nee Wilkinson) of 19 St. Helen’s Street, Corbridge, Northumberland. Their marriage was registered in the fourth quarter of 1920 in Hexham, Northumberland and they had at least four children:
Robert Wilkinson (born 22 January 1921)
Ann W. (born 1922; married Cyril G. Edgar in 1943)
Monica (born 1925)
Barbara (born 1928)
Robert Wilkinson Foreman was educated at the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Hexham and he played both rugby and cricket for the school. After leaving school he worked for Strachan and Company, Accountants in Newcastle and he was actively involved with youth work including Corbridge Church Lad’s Brigade, Corbridge Boys’ Club, and the Junior Imperial League.
Robert Wilkinson Foreman joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1940, obtained his wings in October 1941 and served with 153 Squadron based at Ballyhalbert.
Sergeant Robert Wilkinson Foreman (No. 1052298) died on 10 January 1942 (12 days short of his 21st birthday) when his Boulton Paul Defiant aircraft (T3931) failed to return from a night patrol over the Irish Sea. The two crew members on board were declared missing and their bodies were never recovered. Sergeant Robert Wilkinson Foreman was the Pilot and Sergeant Ralph Henry John Winter was his Air Gunner.
Both men are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial in Surrey.