Why is this Australian buried in St. John’s churchyard in

Beck Row?

Why is his grave different from everyone else’s?

Rawdon Middleton1916 - 1942

From Dubbo, New South WalesAustralia …..

….. to Mildenhall, Suffolk, Great Britain

Between Dec. 1941 to Nov. 1942, Middleton completed 28 successful

missions in his Stirling Bomber.

28th November 1942Night raid to the Fiat works,

Turin Italy

Despite being very badly injured, with his Stirling Bomber very badly damaged, Middleton flew his plane back to Great Britain, saving most

of his crew.

Middletonthen turned his Stirling bomber around, flying it out to sea. He

ordered the final two crew members to jump, then crashed

his plane into the sea.

Middleton’s body washed up in Dover in Feb. 1943.

He was given a funeral with full military honours next to his

Mildenhall base, in Beck Row.

For his act of great bravery, and giving his life to save his crew,

Rawdon Middleton was awarded the Victoria Cross.

Riverside Middle School’s Rawdon Middleton Memorial

Rawdon Middleton1916 - 1942