Vale brave and true men. 11 August 1940

238 Squadron lost three other pilots  besides Stuart Walch during that tragic morning interception of 11 August 1940.

Sergeant Geoffrey Gledhill was Blue Section and B Flight’s rookie. He had joined the RAFVR in January 1939 and had been called up on 1 September. He had arrived at Middle Wallop on 4 August after converting to Hurricanes at 6 OTU. This was his first operational sortie and he was 19 years old.

Flying Officer Michal Steborowski was also flying with Blue Section. He had had considerable experience before arriving in England in early 1940. He had joined the Polish Air Force in 1930, was commissioned in 1932 and initially served as an observer. He subsequently trained as a pilot and his high level flying skills led to his appointment as a fighter flying instructor. When Poland was invaded he flew briefly with a group comprised mainly of flying instructors. He escaped from Poland to France via Romania and was a member of the first group of Polish pilots to join the RAF. After he was commissioned into the RAF in February 1940, he was posted to No 1 School of Army Co-operation at Old Sarum where he studied English and ground courses. In July he was sent to 6 Operational Training Unit (OTU) Sutton Bridge for conversion to Hurricanes. From there he was posted to 238 Squadron, arriving on 5 August. This was his fourth sortie.

 Pilot Officer Frederick Cawse of Green Section had joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) in March 1938. Called up on 1 September he was initially mustered as a sergeant but was commissioned on 8 June 1940. After training he had been posted to 6 OTU and arrived at Middle Wallop on 7 July after Hurricane conversion. This was his 12th sortie, though he had not flown on ops since 22 July.