24th December, 1941

Lockheed Hudson Mk V (AM669 - code QX-F)
224 Sqn RAF
Trédrez-Locquémeau (22), in the sea
(contributors : Archives Départementales de Saint Brieuc - Jimmy Tual)

Lockheed Hudson Mk V, 48 Sqn RAF, 1942 © IWM (COL 183) - public domain

Crew :

- Squadron Leader (pilot - 28147) DAVIES, CECIL RHYS, aged 32
VIII. C. 21. BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY
- Sergeant (pilot - 1000126) HOULDSWORTH, TOM FORD, aged 22 - Volunteer Reserve
VIII. C. 8. BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY
- Flight Lieutenant (42968)  HIGGLETON, JOSEPH HERBERT, aged 28
Panel 29. RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL
- Sergeant (914261) GOOCH, ARTHUR GEORGE, aged 22 - Volunteer Reserve
Panel 43. RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL
- Sergeant (646219) ROBERTS, JACK, aged 20
Panel 51. RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

IN MEMORIAM (ROTHERHAM WAR MEMORIALS)
 

Sergeant HOULDSWORTH, TOM FORD

Tom Ford Houldsworth was born in Rotherham in the last part of 1919, the second of three children, and only son, born to cashier Tom Houldsworth and his wife Kate (nee  Ford). His father was from Maltby and his mother was from Castleford, where they married at All Saints Church on 9 June 1917. The family later lived at Jesmonda Villa, 54 Blyth Road, Maltby. Tom Ford Houldsworth was educated at Rotherham Grammar School.
He enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and became a Sergeant , service number 1000126. He trained as a pilot and was posted to 224 Squadron of Coastal Command. The Squadron started the war based at Leuchers in Scotland flying the Lockheed Hudson coastal reconnaissance aircraft. They then moved to Limavady in Northern Ireland in April 1941 and then to St. Eval in Cornwall in December 1941. On 24 December 1941 he was on Hudson mk V serial number AM669 with squadron markings og QX-F which went out on a Stepper Patrol. On the 25 December the aircraft was reported missing when it failed to return. Subsequently the crew were posted ‘presumed killed in action’.