John Wellburn Bland
John Wellburn Bland was born in April 1910 at Calne, the son of a parson from Bristol. He joined 501 Squadron, Auxiliary Air Force before the war and was commissioned in June 1939. Called to full-time service on 24th August, Bland completed his training and joined 601 Squadron at Tangmere.
On 11th July 1940 he shared a Do17. Next day he was posted to 501 Squadron at Middle Wallop. On the 29th he claimed a Ju87 shot down over Dover. His own port mainplane was hit by return fire but Bland got back to base.
On 18th August he was shot down and killed by a Me109. His Hurricane, P3208, crashed at Calcott Hill, Sturry, Kent.
Bland was 26. He is buried in Gravesend Cemetery.
