Wall plaque unveiled in honour of Pilot Officer Albert Hugo Friday

27 August 2009, a wall plaque unveiled at Herne Bay, Kent in honour of Pilot Officer Albert Hugo FRIDAY (No 119493) RAF Volunteer Reserve.

Born in 1922 in Mile End, London to Bethold Leonard Friday and Ruby Friday (nee Chard).

He joined 611 Squadron at RAF Kenley, Surrey around July 1942 and moved with the Squadron to RAF Redhill, Surrey.

His first Operational sortie was on 21 July 42 in a Scramble from Redhill to patrol Beachy Head from 05.15 to 06.55 , nothing sighted.

He undertook 10 further operation sorties with the Squadron before the fateful day.

30 Aug 42 Scramble to Maidstone in Spitfire Mk IX BS 185; took of 14.15 ‘Disintegrated in flight near West Malling pilot killed’ The Official diary reads he took off from Redhill as Red 2 with Plt Off Graham (Red 1). They intercepted a JU86 which was doing a high ‘recce’ over the Thames area, but could not get the necessary height to engage the enemy – the Red 2 pilot, Pilot Officer FRIDAY was killed when his aircraft broke up at 20,000 ft and he was hit baling out probably by his own aircraft. The matter is being investigated by AIB Officials.

He was buried with full military honours at Brookwood Military Cemetery, near Woking, Grave Reference 22 A 6 Aged 22.

A plaque was commissioned by Herne Bay Town Partners (Chris West, Coastal Towns Manager, 01227 742765; e-mail ) and will form part of the Herne Bay Cultural Trail. It was unveiled on Thursday 27 August 2009 at Blacksole Bridge, Margate Road, Hearne Bay, the spot where the aircraft crashed and Plt Off A H Friday died.

See Pilot Officer Albert Hugo Friday in the ‘Pilots Section’ for full details and photos.