Staff Sergeant James F Coddington

06 Jun 1944

James Frederick Coddington was the son of W George and Mary Coddington, of Cowlinge, Suffolk. He enlisted in East Surrey Regiment and volunteered for Airborne forces.

Staff Sergeant Coddington successfully completed his glider pilot training and was posted to 1st Wing, The Glider Pilot Regiment, Army Air Corps, and took part in operation Mallard (the second wave of gliders to go to Normandy on D-Day).

There not being enough towing aircraft, they had to wait until the return of those who had taken the gliders over to capture Pegasus Bridge that morning. These were quickly serviced and repaired where necessary and readied for another trip to France. Unfortunately S/Sgt Coddington crashed on LZ ‘W’ at St Aubin d'Arquenay, and both he and his No. 2 were killed. They were found and buried by a First Aid Party at St Aubyn D’Arquenay church and re-interred in Ranville Military Cemetery on 31st May 1945. He was killed in action on 6 June 1944, aged 23.

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By Rod Gibson

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Service History

James Coddington

Group photos_1

  • No.10 Glider Pilot Course, RAF Booker, Buckinghamshire, 1942-43.

    No.10 Glider Pilot Course, RAF Booker, Buckinghamshire, 1942-43.

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