Sqn Leader P.E Drew

K.V.U.Gruppe Joburg · AOK 7 Normandy · France

Sqn. Ldr. PE Drew & FO. B Nokes-Cooper.

Biville is a village commune near the west coast of the Cherbourg peninsula, 18 kilometres west-south-west of Cherbourg. In the village church yard is the grave of Squadron Leader P E Drew. No relation to me but we do share the same name. As we were visiting that part of Normandy in October 2004, I just happened to see the Commonwealth War Graves Commission marker on the Gate.

P.E. Drew in the Hockey XI at Marlborough 1929.

Sqn. Ldr. PE Drew & FO. B Nokes-Cooper.

Google Maps

Sqn. Ldr. PE Drew & FO. B Nokes-Cooper.

L´église Saint-Pierre On seeing the CWGC sign on the gate I decided to walk through the church yard whilst the others made there way to the local bar/restaurant for lunch.

21 October 2004

Sqn. Ldr. PE Drew & FO. B Nokes-Cooper.

Here against the wall I found the grave, Over the wall is a beautiful view of the countryside all the way down to the sea. Like all CWGC graves they are very well looked after and also the local villagers lay flowers on the grave.

21 October 2004

Sqn. Ldr. PE Drew & FO. B Nokes-Cooper.

On seeing the name I felt I had to find out more and so far only used the Internet to do any research.
S/Ldr P.E. Drew, Biville, Normandy of No.236 Squadron was killed on the 1st of August 1940 along with his gunner F/O B Nokes-Cooper flying a Blenheim IV (N3601) during an attack on Querqueville, France at 17:15hrs. (Other documents say attacking Maupertus Aerodrome east of Cherbourg).

Nokes-Cooper was 32. He is buried in Bayeux War Cemetery, France.

21 October 2004 http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Nokes-Cooper.htm

Querqueville Aerodrome west of Cherbourg where Me109's were stationed.

Sqn. Ldr. PE Drew & FO. B Nokes-Cooper.

31 October 1939 236 F (fighter) Squadrons was equipped with Blenheim I´s. and IV´s, and transferred to Coastal Command in February 1940 before becoming operational. Because of serviceability problems it was June 1940 before the squadron was declared operational, flying convoy patrols over the Bristol and English Channels and also contributing to patrols along the Havre/Cherbourg stretch of enemy coastline. On the 17th July finding three Junkers Ju 87s they damaging one.

Sqn. Ldr. PE Drew & FO. B Nokes-Cooper.

Probably Sqn. Ldr. Drew was buried by French locals before the German occupation forces could get to him. As he was buried in consecrated ground I believe he cannot be re interred into a CWGC cemetery.

25 November 1957

Sqn. Ldr. PE Drew & FO. B Nokes-Cooper.

There seems to be two slightly conflicting stories. As far as I can see one squadron of Bristol Blenheim Bombers were attacking Maupertus airfield and 236Sqn Blenheim IV fighters were used as fighter cover. S/Ldr Drew's plane was hit by AA fire and crashed near Biville. Another says they were attacking Querqueville on western side of Cherbourg. As Maupertus and Querqueville airfields were both used by the Luftwaffe as forward operating bases for fighter/bombers against targets in the south west of England.

Sqn. Ldr. PE Drew & FO. B Nokes-Cooper.

A 1944 Photo Reconnaissance of Maupertus Aerodrome 1944.

1944

Sqn. Ldr. PE Drew & FO. B Nokes-Cooper.

Red circle ----- Maupertus Aerodrome. Red circle ----- Querqueville Aerodrome. Yellow circle -- Biville.

Google

Sqn. Ldr. PE Drew & FO. B Nokes-Cooper.

31 October 1939 236 Squadrons F (fighter) was equipped with Blenheim I´s. and IV´s.

1940s

Sqn. Ldr. PE Drew & FO. B Nokes-Cooper.

A pilot, air-gunner and bomb-aimer showing the uniforms worn and their flying clothing.

1940s

Camouflage and lettering on the side of an 236 Sqn RAF Blenheims.

Sqn. Ldr. PE Drew & FO. B Nokes-Cooper.

RAF Thorney Island a modern RAF station designed under the RAF expansion scheme. Building started in the 30's and was nearly finished when WW2 started. It had four large 'C' type aircraft sheds (hangars). A complete camp behind the hangars with barracks, heating plants, stores, workshops to a standard design.

Aerodrome layout with four 'C' type aircraft sheds (hangars).
The green is the landing area as there were now hard runways at that time. — Aerodrome layout with four 'C' type aircraft sheds (hangars). The green is the landing area as there were now hard runways at that time.

'C' type aircraft sheds (hangars) inside.

Sqn. Ldr. PE Drew & FO. B Nokes-Cooper.

Buried in Bayeux CWGC cemetery.

Sqn. Ldr. PE Drew & FO. B Nokes-Cooper.

Peter Edward Drew, the son of Air Commodore H.C.H. Drew, was born on 16th July 1910 in Ryde, Isle of Wight and was at Marlborough College from 1924 to 1929. He entered the RAF College, Cranwell as a flight cadet in September 1929 and on graduation joined No. 1 Squadron at Tangmere on 25th July 1931. Drew was posted to the staff at SHQ Heliopolis, Egypt on 28th February 1933, returned to the UK in June 1935 and went to 6 FTS Netheravon on 30th March 1936 as an instructor. He was posted to the staff of CFS Upavon on 24th March 1937 and in July 1940 was commanding 236 Squadron based at Thorney Island.

1929

Sqn. Ldr. PE Drew & FO. B Nokes-Cooper.

British Pathé Film Activities at a Bomber Station gives an idea of what a successful operation would have been like.

Google Maps

Aerodrome layout with four 'C' type aircraft sheds (hangars).

Sqn. Ldr. PE Drew & FO. B Nokes-Cooper.

Blenheims scramble, possibly a pre-war photo.

1939/40

Sqn. Ldr. PE Drew & FO. B Nokes-Cooper.

French WW1 memorial to the fallen from Biville.

21 October 2004