Flight Sergeant John Anthony VANE (1388687)
256 Squadron Royal Air Force

Date of birth: 27th April 1922
Date of death: 15th March 1944

Killed in action aged 21
Buried at Catania War Cemetery, Sicily Plot I Row F Grave 4
He was born at Willesden Green, London, on the 27th of April 1922, the son of Christopher Vere Vane, buyer, and Constance Mary (nee Belsey) of 31 Norman Road, Canterbury.

For nine years he was a chorister at Canterbury Cathedral before attending the King's School Canterbury from January 1937 to December 1939, where he was in Marlowe House. He was a member of the 1st Cricket XI, was a keen musician and took part in a number of dramatic productions.

On leaving school he worked for Messrs Reeves and Young and was hoping to take Holy orders. He played cricket for St Lawrence Beverley.

On the outbreak of war he joined the Home Guard at its inception where he was a crack shot, belonging to the first section to win the battalion shield.

He then joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and after training as a Navigator/Radar Operator he was posted to 256 Squadron in October 1943. The squadron was operating Mosquitos in a night fighter role from Luga in Malta and as nocturnal escort to convoys. He was partnered with Flight Sergeant Misselbrook as his pilot. In February 1944 the squadron deployed a detachment to Alghero in support of the war in Italy. At around this time Flight Sergeant Misselbrook, Vane's usual pilot was suspended from flying on disciplinary grounds.

At 9pm on the evening of the 15th of March 1944 a message came through to squadron headquarters at Malta from Flight Lieutenant R.M. Mumford that he was unable to land at the airfield at Catania as there was blazing wreckage of an aircraft on the runway. The squadron operational records are marked:- "we hoped it wasn't one of ours".

The following morning it was confirmed that is was indeed a Mosquito of 256 Squadron which, on returning from a patrol, had collided with a petrol bowser and burst into flames killing the pilot, Flying Officer Leslie Charman Williams Thomas, and his Navigator/Radar Operator, John Vane. Also badly injured was Aircraftsman 2nd Class, F.J. Edwards who was admitted to No. 11 General Hospital where he was treated for burns and shock.

They were buried at 2pm on the 18th of March 1944.
Marlowe House

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