Rank: Sergeant
Service Number: 1593242
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 9 Squadron
Trade: Air Gunner
Died: 5th July 1944
Age: 31 years old.
James was born on the 11th November 1912 in Staithes, Yorkshire. He was the son of Captain Mark Theaker and Elizabeth Theaker (née Theaker) who lived at 'Felicity House', Cliff Road, Lane End, Staithes. They had married in the Parish Church at Hinderwell on the 11th December 1905. James had two older sisters, Mary and Sarah. Their father was a Master Mariner in the Merchant Navy. In 1921, James, his mother and sisters are recorded at his Grandfather's home. His Grandfather was a retired fisherman living at Church Street in Staithes.
James joined Coatham School in Redcar in April 1927 as a boarder. He lived in Wynneholme, the school's smaller residence for boarders. He enjoyed drama, and took part in the school plays. A keen sportsman he played cricket for his house and competed in athletics, cross country running and long distance swimming. In 1931-1932, his final year at the school, he played for the School Rugby 1st XV. He also passed his examinations, and became a school prefect and Captain of his house. Finishing his education James joined the Old Coathamians Association.
Moving to Leeds, 1939 saw James boarding with Ernest and Hilda Neal at 274, Dewsbury Road, Leeds. William Akenhead also boarded there. Both James and William were Police Constables with the Leeds City Police Force.
At Leeds Parish Church on the 27th November 1943, James married Barbara Lee. She was the youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs W.N. Lee of Beeston, Leeds. They made their home at 25, Sefton Terrace, Leeds.
At some time during WW2 James joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and trained as an Air Gunner. He served with No. 9 Squadron which was part of RAF Bomber Command. In July 1944, the Squadron was based at RAF Bardney in Lincolnshire and was at that stage flying Avro Lancaster Mark I heavy bombers.
On the night of 4/5 July 1944, James was part of the eight-man crew in a Lancaster bomber Call-Sign WS-F which took off to take part in a raid on a flying bomb launch site at Saint Leu-d'Esserent. The Lancaster crashed just to the west of Creil, 25 miles north of Paris, near the hamlet of Le Tillet, and all eight crew members were killed.
James and his crew were all buried in Creil Communal Cemetery. However, James is also remembered in the following other locations:
Coatham School Roll of Honour.
Leeds City Police Roll of Honour.
Staithes War Memorial.
(Sources: CWGC, Ancestry, Find My Past, Coatham School, Bomber Command Centre, RAF Commands, Find a Grave Member 'Tony Johnson' ID: 5153358, IWM, West Yorkshire Museum Archives)
(Bio: Woose)
Rank: Sergeant
Service Number: 1593242
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 9 Squadron
Trade: Air Gunner
Died: 5th July 1944
Age: 31 years old.
James was born on the 11th November 1912 in Staithes, Yorkshire. He was the son of Captain Mark Theaker and Elizabeth Theaker (née Theaker) who lived at 'Felicity House', Cliff Road, Lane End, Staithes. They had married in the Parish Church at Hinderwell on the 11th December 1905. James had two older sisters, Mary and Sarah. Their father was a Master Mariner in the Merchant Navy. In 1921, James, his mother and sisters are recorded at his Grandfather's home. His Grandfather was a retired fisherman living at Church Street in Staithes.
James joined Coatham School in Redcar in April 1927 as a boarder. He lived in Wynneholme, the school's smaller residence for boarders. He enjoyed drama, and took part in the school plays. A keen sportsman he played cricket for his house and competed in athletics, cross country running and long distance swimming. In 1931-1932, his final year at the school, he played for the School Rugby 1st XV. He also passed his examinations, and became a school prefect and Captain of his house. Finishing his education James joined the Old Coathamians Association.
Moving to Leeds, 1939 saw James boarding with Ernest and Hilda Neal at 274, Dewsbury Road, Leeds. William Akenhead also boarded there. Both James and William were Police Constables with the Leeds City Police Force.
At Leeds Parish Church on the 27th November 1943, James married Barbara Lee. She was the youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs W.N. Lee of Beeston, Leeds. They made their home at 25, Sefton Terrace, Leeds.
At some time during WW2 James joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and trained as an Air Gunner. He served with No. 9 Squadron which was part of RAF Bomber Command. In July 1944, the Squadron was based at RAF Bardney in Lincolnshire and was at that stage flying Avro Lancaster Mark I heavy bombers.
On the night of 4/5 July 1944, James was part of the eight-man crew in a Lancaster bomber Call-Sign WS-F which took off to take part in a raid on a flying bomb launch site at Saint Leu-d'Esserent. The Lancaster crashed just to the west of Creil, 25 miles north of Paris, near the hamlet of Le Tillet, and all eight crew members were killed.
James and his crew were all buried in Creil Communal Cemetery. However, James is also remembered in the following other locations:
Coatham School Roll of Honour.
Leeds City Police Roll of Honour.
Staithes War Memorial.
(Sources: CWGC, Ancestry, Find My Past, Coatham School, Bomber Command Centre, RAF Commands, Find a Grave Member 'Tony Johnson' ID: 5153358, IWM, West Yorkshire Museum Archives)
(Bio: Woose)
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