Gateway School 1931-34. Son of Mr. H. E. Warren.
Aircraftman Warren was one of the crew of Wellington N2961 that took off from RAF Mildenhall at 09:27 hours on the 18th December 1939. The aircraft was one of 22 Wellingtons sent to attack German ships in the port of Wilhelmshaven. 70 miles from the target, the aircraft were detected by radar and German fighters were sent to intercept them. During the attack, the port wing tanks on N2961 were damaged and started to lose fuel. The aircraft finally ran out of fuel off the Norfolk coast between Cromer and Sheringham, and made a forced landing in the sea at 15:05 hours. It remained afloat for five minutes with its nose down in the water, and its dinghy was seen with three of the crew around it. When the aircraft sank, the dinghy was now seen to be on end, with three of the crew hanging on to it. Despite an extensive search by the Cromer lifeboat H F Bailey, no survivors were found. Aircraftman Warren is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 3.
Crew
Pilot – Flying Officer Michael Franklin Briden, 39706, aged 22
2nd Pilot – Pilot Officer William Stanley Francis Brown, 70794, aged 21 (body washed ashore) Sgt Valentine Henry Garner Richardson, 564063,
AC.2 Isaac Davidson Leighton, 547262, aged 19
AC.1 Peter John Warren, 547949, aged 19
Wireless Op/Air gunner AC.2 A. G. Foster, 621741 (body washed ashore)
