WW2 airman laid to rest in the Netherlands

Personnel from the Queen’s Colour Squadron bear the remains of the crew of Leading Aircraftman John Stuart Mee Bromley to his final resting place. Photo: Jason Teasdale, Crown Copyright.

A Liverpool-born RAF airman who died when his fighter was shot down over the Netherlands has been buried there 82 years after his final flight.

Leading Aircraftman (LAC) John Stuart Mee Bromley of No. 264 Squadron was buried at CWGC Jonkerbos War Cemetery on Wednesday 28 September at a service attended by representatives of the RAF, The British Embassy in The Netherlands and local dignitaries.

Members of the Queen’s Colour Squadron (QCS) bore his coffin as an RAF Trumpeter sounded the Last Post at a ceremony organised by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the ‘MOD War Detectives’. 

John Stuart Mee Bromley was born on 17 March 1916 in Toxteth Park, Liverpool. His was baptised in the city on 15 June 1916. Bromley was rear gunner in a single engine, two-seater Boulton Paul Defiant fighter aircraft piloted by Pilot Officer (Plt Off) Thomas. The plane was shot down over the Netherlands near Dordrecht; Thomas bailed out and later escaped to England where he confirmed Bromley’s death. His mother Constance was said to be so distraught over her son’s death that a welfare officer delivered Plt Off Thomas’ confirmation of the death because a standard letter might be “more than she could bear”.

Bromley’s remains were discovered along with aircraft fragments which were successfully identified by the RAF Air Historical Branch and RAF Museum as those of a Defiant. Further research ruled out all Defiants apart from Defiant L6958 – Thomas’ and Bromley’s fighter.

Representatives of the British Embassy in the Netherlands receive the Union Flag which dressed the coffin of Leading Aircraftman John Stuart Mee Bromley. Photo: Jason Teasdale, Crown Copyright.

Tracey Bowers, JCCC said: 
“We are grateful to the local community in the Netherlands which has taken such a keen interest in this case, and are here today to pay their respects to LAC Bromley. I reflect today on the grief and sadness that must have been felt by his mother; to lose her only child. We thank him for his service and for his ultimate sacrifice.”

The service was led by Reverend (Squadron Leader) Josephine Critchley, Chaplain at RAF Honington, she said:
"It may have been over 80 years since Leading Aircraftsman Bromley lost his life; but the time is now right to formally lay his body to rest, into the everlasting peace of God. The Bible reading used in today’s ceremony reminds us that all things happen at the right time, and we go now trusting that this has been done.”

Director for the Central and Southern European Area at the CWGC, Geert Bekaert, said:
“It is an honour to be a part of this special ceremony today to finally be able to lay Leading Aircraftsman Bromley to rest. CWGC will care for his grave at our Jonkerbos War Cemetery, along with all those of his comrades, in perpetuity.”