Donald's Story.
Donald William Jolliffe was born on 10th May 1922 in Littleborough, the son of Walter and Ruby Jolliffe nee Howarth. Nothing is known of the first years of his life On 4th April 1941 Donny either joined up or was called up to serve and joined the RAF in his service record it shows his home address at The Bungalow Dane in Shaw, Congleton Cheshire and his civil occupation as a Draughtsman, He was described as 5'6" 1/2 with a 30" chest, light brown hair, blue eyes and a fresh complexion. His daily rate of pay was 19s 3d.
He completed his initial training in Canada and the USA before various training posting in the UK before his final posting to 16 squadron at Northolt on 28th August 1944. In September 1944 he was made a temporary Warrant Officer and on the day he died a full WO.
In October 1944 he was stationed at B58 landing ground at Melsbroek with 16 Sqd which had joined the 2nd Tactical Air Force (Allied Expeditionary Air Force) in September 1944 flying Spitfire aircraft on operational patrols and photo reconnaissance missions over Holland and Germany. 'Jolly' as he was known to his fellow airmen was killed on 1st October 1944 when his Spitfire fighter mark X1 number PA-947 was shot down by enemy action over Belgium whilst on a photo reconnaissance sortie at 1120hrs - possibly in the Nijmegan area. He managed to bale out but his parachute failed to open due to it and unfortunately Donny as well, being on fire. He was buried initially at Rychevorsel but is now at plot 2 row c grave 15 Index Bel 300at Gheel/Geel British military cemetery, Belgium. His full title was Warrant Officer Pilot 1238969 Donald William Jolliffe 16 Squadron Royal Air Force (VR). After he died person to be notified of casualties was shown to be Mr. Jolliffe The Green Brockton nr Stafford and this was dated 8th January 1950
At the time of his death his parents Ruby & Walter were living in Kimnel Bay Denbighshire but Donny is commemorated on a separate memorial on the grave of his Aunt Alice and Uncle Tom Harry Baxter (and his cousin Phyllis who also died during the war) at Holy trinity Church Mossley Congleton Cheshire
His stone open book reads -
Let me feel the wind on my temples as I answer the last great call.
Let my spirit go out on a wind storm, clean, pure on my last ride of all
He is also commemorated on the Holy Trinity Church War memorial Mossley Congleton.