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John Wellburn Bland was the son of a parson and came from Bristol. He joined 501 Squadron, Auxiliary Air Force before the war and was commissioned in June 1939. Called to full-time service on 24th August, Bland completed his training and joined 601 Squadron at Tangmere.
On 11th July 1940 he shared a Do17. Next day he was posted to 501 Squadron at Middle Wallop.
On the 29th he claimed a Ju87 shot down over Dover. His own port main plane was hit by return fire but Bland got back to base.
On 18th August he was shot down and killed by a Me109. His Hurricane, P3208, crashed at Calcott Hill, Sturry, Kent.
Bland was 26. He is buried in Gravesend Cemetery - Plot B.12. Grave 1241.
Son of the Revd. Thomas Henry Bland, B.A., and Margaret Agnes Bland, of St. Matthew's Vicarage, Cotham Park, Bristol
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