Stan Woodbridge

Stanley James Woodbridge GC
Born	29 August 1921
Died	7 February 1945 (aged 23)
Service/branch	Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Rank	Flight Sergeant
Service number	1393806
Unit	No. 159 Squadron RAF
Awards	George Cross

Flight Sergeant Stanley James Woodbridge, GC (29 August 1921 – 7 February 1945), known as Stan Woodbridge,^[1] was a British World War II recipient of the George Cross. He was born in Chelsea, London, and during World War II served as a member of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, with No. 159 Squadron RAF.

Woodbridge was captured by Japanese forces along with five other members of his crew, when their Consolidated Liberator aircraft crashed in Burma.^[2] Woodbridge, who was the crew's wireless operator, was subjected to torture, and was eventually beheaded along with the three other non-commissioned officers from his crew. The two commissioned officers from the crew were taken to Rangoon Jail and found alive when Rangoon was liberated. Throughout his ordeal, Woodbridge refused to give information to his Japanese captors, about his codes or radio equipment.

In 1948, Woodbridge was posthumously awarded the George Cross, in recognition of his courage and devotion to duty.

Woodbridge is buried at the Rangoon War Cemetery.^[3]

Notes

1. Michael Ashcroft, George Cross Heroes, 2010
2. "Aircrew Remembered". Retrieved March 14, 2013.
3. Commonwealth War Graves Commission - 1393806 Flt Sgt S J Woodbirdge GC

References

• London Gazette archive
• George Cross (GC) Database - Highest civilian gallantry award at www.gc-database.co.uk
• GC Holders at www.rafweb.org Stanley James Woodbridge
• http://www.airscene.org/monument/GCawards.htm#woodbridge
• A BARBAROUS ENEMY at www.rquirk.com Details of the atrocity
• GC Awards to Jap POWs at www.stephen-stratford.co.uk