Forename: Gerald Herbert
Surname: Cruwys
Rank: Flying Officer Navigator
Regiment: Royal Air Force
Institution: St Paul’s Practising School
Gerald Herbert Cruwys was born on 8 October 1921, son of Herbert Fred and Edith Cruwys of 238 Gloucester Road, Cheltenham. Gerald and his family had emigrated from Ireland to Cheltenham. He was educated at St Pauls Practising School from May 1934 to August 1938 and at the North Gloucestershire Technical College, where he had gained a scholarship. He later joined the Dowty Group as a draughtsman.
Gerald served as a Flying Officer (Navigator) in the Royal Air Force, 635 Squadron in 1940. He was killed in action along with the rest of the crew when their plane crashed at Dion-le-Mont (Brabant) on 20 April 1944 aged 22. He is buried at Heverlee War Cemetery. The headstone reads “In reverence, love and pride, Mother, Dad and Brothers”. Flying Officer Cruwys was survived by three brothers, two of them served during the war.