Frank Charles Bunclark was born in Lustleigh in 1915, the son of William John and Alice Ellen Bunclark. He joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve and, after training, was posted as a Sergeant (Observer) to 61 Squadron, Bomber Command, stationed at RAF Syerston, near Newark in Nottinghamshire. On returning from a mine-laying mission, one November evening in 1942, his crew found their base closed due to fog and were diverted to Exeter; flying into an unusual airfield, his pilot misjudged the approach and crashed, killing all seven aircrew.
What makes this story all the more poignant is that only two months previously Sgt Bunclark had been recommended for the Distinguished Flying Medal along with four other members of his crew and, with them, had been due to attend the investiture by His Majesty the King on 24th November, barely two weeks after their untimely death.
There was a large attendance at his funeral in Lustleigh where his body was carried shoulder-high by six airmen from an RAF Squadron at Exeter. He was laid to rest in the Extension Churchyard where his grave is marked with the iconic Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s headstone of white Portland stone.
On Tuesday 11th November, Lustleigh Bell Ringers will sound a half-muffled peel in his honour.
A more detailed biography is included in the Lustleigh Society’s new book ‘Home Front to Front Line’ available from The Dairy, The Archives and at Lustleigh Society events.