The crew of the lead Stirling of 299 Squadron with an unknown parachutist, probably taken during the hours before the First Lift took-off. Left to right: Sergeant W. J. Auld, Flight Lieutenant J. N. Francis, unknown parachutist, Wing Commander P. B. N. Davis, Flight Lieutenants R. W. Lovegrove, F. Mason, and Ellis. The crew flew to DZ-N with the First Lift and dropped 20 parachutists and 9 containers. On the evening of D-Day they returned and delivered a Horsa glider, chalk 152, piloted by Captain Morrison and Sergeant Beech, to LZ-W. During the flight the aircraft was damaged by a light flak position, which was put of action by the rear gunner, Flight Lieutenant Ellis. At Arnhem, when Ellis was no longer a member of the crew, they towed Horsa gliders on the First and Second lifts, but on the 19th September 1944 their aircraft was shot down. Wing Commander Davis and Flight Lieutenant Mason were killed along with a passenger, Squadron Leader Wingfield. The remainder survived; Lovegrove managed to reach the Allied lines, but Auld, Francis, and the other crew member, Flight Lieutenant Chalk, were taken prisoner. Larger image. Courtesy of Harvey Francis.