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James Douglas Griffin

Pilot Officer - Royal Navy Air Squadron - HMS Landrail - 805 Squadron - Service No. FX 58258.

Background Information

Born

28th December 1925

Academics

Rank

Pilot Officer - Royal Navy Air Squadron - HMS Landrail - 805 Squadron - Service No. FX 58258.

Campaigns

Died

1st August 1945 age 19

James Douglas Griffin was born on 28th December 1925 in Gravesend, Kent. His father was Laurence Albert Griffin, a Trinity House Pilot, and his mother was Lavinia (née Goodwin). The first school that he attended was Miss Martin’s School in Gravesend.
In 1934 James Griffin joined The County School for Boys – now known as Gravesend Grammar School. The Head Master at that time was the Reverend Samuel Lister. The County School for Boys was located in Darnley Road, Gravesend close to the Railway Station (now the Victoria Centre for Education). In 1938 the School moved to brand new premises in Church Walk, Milton, Gravesend opposite to Milton Church.
The School’s Admission Register lists James’ address as 79 Old Road East, Gravesend. Whilst at the School, James was in In Town House. His older brother, John (born 1924) also attended the School.
In 1941 James left the School and started work in the Office of the Gravesend Reporter. He later enlisted in the Royal Navy Air Squadron as a Pilot Officer, Service Number FX 58258. He was sent to HMS Landrail, 805 Squadron. HMS Landrail was a Royal Navy station close to Campbelltown, Argyllshire, Scotland.
On 1st August 1945 James Griffin was killed in an air accident, age 19. He was buried on 8th August 1945 at Gravesend Cemetery, Plot B.12. Grave 1335.

There are links below to Newspaper Clippings and Photographs from the Gravesend Grammar School Archives.
Below are links to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website and a few other websites that might be of interest:
https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2361662/griffin,-james-douglas/
https://www.naval-history.net/xDKCas1945-08AUG.htm

Gravesend Cemetery Plot B.12. Grave 1335