Melville David Cohen was born on 19 November 1919 in Bombay (now Mumbai), India, a son of Eric Cohen (1893-1962) and Kitty Cohen née Gubbay (1889-1971).
The England and Wales Register that was compiled on 29 September 1939 lists him as Cohen, Melville D, a single male whose date of birth was 19 November 1919 and that he was an assistant clerk (accountant), living at Flat C, 59 Compayne Gardens, Hampstead, London.
He enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 117812 and was serving as a Flying Officer and was attached to No.210 Squadron, Coastal Command. According to the UK, World War II Index to Allied Airman Roll of Honour, 1939-1945, on 24 August 1943 he was the wireless operator/air gunner aboard a Catalina IB flying boat aeroplane, serial number FP287, that took off from RAF Hamworthy, Dorset and that crashed while landing at Long Island, Poole Harbour, Dorset in fog after a night training sortie. Of the crew of twelve only four survived.
His death, aged 23 years, was registered as Melville Cohen in the 3rd quarter of 1943 in the Poole Registration District, Dorset and his , in the Golders Green Jewish Cemetery, Hoop Lane, London, NW11 7NL.
He is shown with his forenames reversed as 'David Melville Cohen' on both the Bevis Marks war memorial attached to the Bevis Marks Synagogue, Bevis Marks, London, EC3 and on the Lauderdale Road, Synagogue, Ashworth Road, London, W9.
He is also commemorated on the , on the , on the and on the .
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in to see them