Sergeant GRAHAM LESLIE PARISH
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Died 16 September 1942
Age 30 years old
- Country of Service United Kingdom
- Awards George Cross
- Additional Info Son of Stephen Owbridge and Ethel May Parish, of Broomhill, Sheffield. A.L.A.
- Personal Inscription LIFE CHANGES MANY THINGS BUT NOT OUR LOVE FOR YOU, DEAR. TILL WE MEET AGAIN
- Additional Citation note
The following details are given in the London Gazette of 3rd April, 1943: Sergeant Graham Leslie Parish was the navigator of an aircraft during a delivery flight to the Middle East Command. Shortly after taking off from an airfiled in the Sudan in September 1942 the port engine failed and the pilot returned and attempted to land, but the bomber struck a building and burst into flames. The fire was so intense that no assistance could be given to the navigator at the Astro hatch or to the passenger inside. Sergeant Parish's body was found leaning against the rear gun turret, with that of the passenger, who had broken his leg and whose arm was across the airman's shoulder. Sergeant Parish had clearly carried him a distance of eight yards in the hope of effecting their escape through the turret, but both had been overcome and burnt to death in the attempt. Sergeant Parish could have made his escape through the Astro hatch, but his unselfish desire to assist the passenger cost him his life. He displayed gallantry of the highest order
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