Military Service
Group Captain / Service Number: 34248
Service: Royal Air Force
Group: No. 8 Pathfinders Force
Squadron: No. 7 RAF
Airfield: RAF Station Oakington, Cambridgeshire, England
Aircraft: Avro Lancaster Mk.III - ND523 / Marking: NG-X
Trade: Pilot
Deceased: Age 31
Circumstances of Death: Lost in aircraft

Took off 19:02 hrs. 22 Mar 1944 from Oakington to Frankfurt, Germany. Intercepted at 17,600 feet by a night-fighter while approaching target and set on fire, managed to clear the target area, but within seconds of ordering his crew to bale out, the Lancaster went into a spin and exploded.

Perished with fellow crew members;
R.A.F.V.R. Flight Sergeant William Sinclair Bremner - Air Gunner Age 24
R.A.F.V.R. Flight Sergeant Edwin Haslam - Wireless Operator/Air Gunner Age 22
R.A.F.V.R. Flight Sergeant Anthony Fenton Gillman Leahy - Flight Engineer Age 34
R.A.F.V.R. Warrant Officer David McHaffie - Air Gunner Age 24

Survived Crash (POW);
Warrant Officer William Charles Alexander
RAF / Service Number: 1388484
POW Camp(s): Stalag Luft L3 Sagan and Belaria

Act/Flight Lieutenant Ronald Ferguson (DFM)
RAF / Service Number: 50960
POW Camp(s): Stalag Luft L3 Sagan and Belaria

Flight Sergeant Frederick Charles Marshall
RAF / Service Number: 1338404
POW Camp(s): Stalag Luft L1 Barth Vogelsang

Honours/Citations:

Distinguished Service Order (DSO), Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), 1939-45 Star with Bomber Command Bar, Air Crew Europe Star with France and Germany bar, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-1945

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) - Citation;
"This officer has taken part in very many sorties and has displayed outstanding skill and resolution.
One night in October, 1943, Wing Commander Rampling successfully completed a bombing attack on Leipzig despite many difficulties. His unswerving devotion to duty on this occasion was worthy of high praise. Wing Commander Rampling is an ideal leader, whose courageous example has been inspiring."

Distinguished Service Order (DSO) - Citation;
"This officer has participated in numerous sorties against well defended targets. He has invariably displayed great courage and determination in attacking his targets and his efforts to ensure accuracy have been worthy of the highest praise.
He is a magnificent leader, whose personal example has inspired all. On a recent occasion, Group Captain Rampling took part in an attack on Stuttgart. In spite of fierce opposition from the enemy's defences, he executed his attack with his usual determination and accuracy."

Commemoration(s):

- Phase 2 Panel 229 International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC) Canwick Ave, Lincoln LN4 2HQ, United Kingdom

Next of Kin: Son of Horace Johnson Rampling, and of Gertrude Annie Rampling (nee Taylor); husband of Kathleen Patricia Rampling, of Faringdon, Berkshire, United Kingdom.