Squadron Leader 33350, 57 Squadron, Royal Air Force. Died 05/04/1943. Age 25.

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Born in 1917, only child of Flt Lieut Stanley Harry Swann Wallage MC, and Lilian Eva nee Monk. Stanley Sr. was a WW1 flying ace who was killed when his plane crashed at Amman 17th April 1926. On 17th December 1941 in Rondebosch, Western Cape Stanley married Joan Dianne Owen Grant.

 

Stanley was commissioned 16th September 1938 at RAF Cranwell. On 4th April 1943 Lancaster W4252 took off at 2107 hrs from RAF Scampton on an operation to Kiel. The plane was last heard from at 0148 hrs 5th April 1943 over the North Sea. All seven crew are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

 

In March 1938, 57 Squadron re-equipped with Blenheims and shortly after the outbreak of World War II, the Squadron moved to France as part of the Air Component of the British Expeditionary Force carrying out reconnaissance and light bombing raids. The unit was withdrawn to Wyton in May 1940, moving on to Lossiemouth the following month where it took part in anti-shipping patrols. By the turn of the year, 57 had re-equipped with Wellington night-bombers as part of the Bomber Command Main Force. September 1942 saw the arrival of Lancasters, these aircraft being used in raids on the Ruhr, Berlin and the secret German weapons factory at Peenemunde. The Squadron's final raid of the War was against Hitler's retreat at Berchesgaden.