Driver Rowland J Claxton

Rowland John Claxton was the son of Bertie and Beatrice Claxton and the husband of Norah Claxton, of Great Dunham, Norfolk. He enlisted in the Royal Army Service Corps, and volunteered for airborne forces.

Driver Claxton successfully completed Air Despatcher training and was posted to 799 Air Despatch Company, Royal Army Service Corps, and took part in Operation Market Garden (Arnhem).

Dvr Claxton was killed in action on 21 September 1944, aged 31, when RAF 437 Squadron Dakota KG-489, base Blakehill Farm, was shot down by German FW 190 fighters and crashed alongside Everse Akkerpad at Eerschot near St. Oedenrode. There were no survivors and the Air Despatchers were buried in the St Oedenrode Roman Catholic Churchyard. (Roll of Honour, 5th Revised Edition, 2011).

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