Geoffrey Albert Maund

This story and photos are shared by the Trust with kind permission from Mavis Williams, Researcher. Gravestone photo courtesy of Woose, FindaGrave.com

Geoffrey Albert Maund was born on 7th June 1924, the son of Albert Wilfred Victor & Gwendoline Annie Maund (née Postian). His birth was recorded in the registration District of Ledbury, Hereford & Worcester. His parents had married in the June quarter of 1916 in Kington, the Kington district spans the boundaries of the counties of Radnorshire and Herefordshire. Another child, Donald Wilfred Maund, followed in the September quarter of 1930.

The family are seen in the 1939 National Register, taken on the 29th of September 1939, living at The Stores, Ledbury. Geoffrey's father was in ‘Haulage - own account’ and his mother was a ‘Grocery Dealer.’ Geoffrey and his brother, Donald, were recorded as being 'At School'.

Sadly, I have no information on George during his early or teen years, but he was to serve in the Royal Air Force during the war.

On the night of 5/6th June 1944 he was part of the crew of Stirling MK IV EF 295 of 620 Squadron, Royal Air Force (RAF). They took off at 23:45 on the from RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire to transport parachutists of 591 Parachute Squadron, 6th Airborne Division to a drop zone east of the River Orne for Operation Tonga (the landings by 6th Airborne Division on D-Day).

But the aircraft was hit by German anti-aircraft fire and crashed eight miles east of the drop zone near Château de Grangues, Grangues, Calvados before it could drop the parachutists. Geoffrey was killed in the crash, a day before his birthday.

He was first buried near the crash site before being moved to temporary grave at Ranville Cemetery on the 1st June 1945. He was then reinterred in his final resting place in Ranville Cemetery on the 10th of August 1945.

British Normandy Memorial - Additional Information

Unfortunately, we do not have a photo of Geoffrey Maund. If you are aware of one or you are related to Geoffrey we would love to hear from you so we can add to his story.

We also have a story about the pilot of Geoffrey's aircraft, Squadron Leader Wilmot Pettit. You can find out about him here.