Why is this Australian buried in St. John’s churchyard in
Beck Row?
Why is his grave different from everyone else’s?
Rawdon Middleton1916 - 1942
From Dubbo, New South WalesAustralia …..
….. to Mildenhall, Suffolk, Great Britain
Between Dec. 1941 to Nov. 1942, Middleton completed 28 successful
missions in his Stirling Bomber.
28th November 1942Night raid to the Fiat works,
Turin Italy
Despite being very badly injured, with his Stirling Bomber very badly damaged, Middleton flew his plane back to Great Britain, saving most
of his crew.
Middletonthen turned his Stirling bomber around, flying it out to sea. He
ordered the final two crew members to jump, then crashed
his plane into the sea.
Middleton’s body washed up in Dover in Feb. 1943.
He was given a funeral with full military honours next to his
Mildenhall base, in Beck Row.
For his act of great bravery, and giving his life to save his crew,
Rawdon Middleton was awarded the Victoria Cross.
Riverside Middle School’s Rawdon Middleton Memorial
Rawdon Middleton1916 - 1942
