HENRY WALTER PLATTEN

From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730

As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570

Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.

HARRY

Images and information courtesy of Mr Robin Durrell.

Born: 1919, Highams Park, Essex.

Died: 29th March 1944; age: 24; killed in aircraft crash off of the coast of Juist Island.

Residence: Chantry House, 59, Orwell Road, Felixstowe, Suffolk.

Brother to DENIS JOHN PLATTEN.

Rank: Flying Officer; Service Number: 170410.

Regiment: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 236 Squadron.

Aircraft: Beaufighter Mk. x

Memorial Reference:

Plot 212.

Runnymede Memorial,

Englefield Green,

Surrey.

Relatives Notified & Address: Son of John Henry & Nellie Elizabeth Platten, of Felixstowe, Suffolk.

Father: John Henry Platten, born March 1865, Loughton, Essex. A Railway Auditor.

Mother: Nellie Elizabeth Platten (nee Rogers), born August 1890, Leyton, Essex.

CENSUS

1921   Rectory Cottage, Illington, Norfolk.

Henry was 2 years old and lived with his parents and brother.

John Platten, 53 years & 6 months, a Travelling Auditor for Great Eastern Railway Company, of Liverpool Street, London.

Nellie Platten, 30 years & 10 months old, Home Duties.

Denis John Platten, 3 years and 8 months old, born Highams Park, Essex.

Henry was educated at Ipswich School.

Probate to John Henry Platten – father, a retired railway auditor.

Henry is also remembered on the war memorial at Ipswich School Chapel, and the seafront, Felixstowe, Suffolk.

29th March 1944

Aircraft: Bristol Beaufighter; serial number: LZ229; indentification letter ‘T’; based at R.A.F. Station North Coates, near Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire. On the 29th March 1944, LZ229 took off at 15:08hrs, on a ‘Reece’ mission, 10 aircraft from 236 Squadron  with 9 from 254 Squadron and 10 from 143 Squadron, as part of the North Coates Strike Wing attack north-east of Borkum, Germany.

The enemy convoy made up of sixteen merchant vessels, three minesweeper, and one heavily armed ”Sperrbrecher” were attacked and racked with cannon fire and rockets, two of the enemy’s merchant ships were sunk. Harry’s ‘T’ aircraft was seen to be hit by a parachute bomb dropped by a Messerschmitt BF109, cutting the Bristol Beaufighter’s wing off, the aircraft was put into a spin and crashed off the coast of Juist Island. One airman was seen to leave the aircraft, but the parachute failed to open in time, there were no survivors.

Crew:

Roy Henry Johnson; Flying Officer; age 21; R.A.F.V.R.