The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. S Stokoe

Sydney Stokoe, of Gateshead, was born on 28th December 1915, the son of Edward and Lizzie Annie Stokoe.

He was awarded Aero certificate 17151 on 19th February 1939 at Newcastle Aero Club, his occupation recorded as Draughtsman.

Stokoe joined the RAFVR about August 1939 as an Airman u/t Pilot. Called up on 1st September 1939, he completed his training and joined 29 Squadron at Wellingore about 1st September 1940. He did not fly his first operational sortie until 21st September.

Stokoe was killed on 19th December 1940 when piloting Blenheim I L6612. The aircraft was caught by a downdraught whilst low flying for airborne intercept radar practice and struck trees at the corner of a small wood on the escarpment near Leadenham in Lincolnshire.

Also lost were Sgt. E Jones, Sgt. IW Watkins and Sgt. AA Wilsdon.

Stokoe was 25. He is buried in St Marys churchyard, Heworth, County Durham.