Isaac Jack Cohen

Sub-Lieutenant (A), H.M.S. Merlin, 880 Squadron
Died 21 Mar 1945
Buried Willesden Jewish Cemetery
Age 22


Isaac was born in 1923 to Jack and Louise Cohen. Little is known about his early life but his marriage certificate states that his home address was 50 Ibrahim Street, Cairo. He married Winifred How, a bank clerk, on 18 October 1944 in Watford, Hertfordshire.

Isaac was the pilot of Seafire LR856 which was being ferried from HMS Sparrowhawk to HMS Tern prior to rejoining the ship HMS Implacable in Scapa Flow. Isaac departed from RNAS Hatson, Orkney, Scotland and flew west, across Wide Firth but it would appear had not gained sufficient height to clear the small hills on route, and in low cloud at approx 17.30 hrs the aircraft struck a ploughed field on the lower slopes of Baillie Hill just above Lyde and burst into flames killing him instantly.