Flight Sergeant Stanley James Woodbridge, (29 August 1921 – 7 February 1945), known as Stan Woodbridge, was a British

Second World War World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

recipient of the

George Cross The George Cross (GC) is the highest award bestowed by the British government for non-operational gallantry or gallantry not in the presence of an enemy. In the British honours system, the George Cross, since its introduction in 1940, has been ...

. He was born in

Chelsea, London Chelsea is an affluent area in west London, England, due south-west of Charing Cross by approximately 2.5 miles. It lies on the north bank of the River Thames and for postal purposes is part of the south-western postal area. Chelsea histori ...

, and during the Second World War served as a member of the

Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve The Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) was established in 1936 to support the preparedness of the U.K. Royal Air Force in the event of another war. The Air Ministry intended it to form a supplement to the Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF ...

, with

No. 159 Squadron RAF No. 159 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force squadron that was active as a bomber, mine-laying, reconnaissance and transport unit in the Second World War. History Formation in World War I The original 159 Squadron was to be formed during the Fir ...

Second World War

Woodbridge was captured by Japanese forces along with five other members of his crew, when their

Consolidated Liberator The Consolidated B-24 Liberator is an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. It was known within the company as the Model 32, and some initial production aircraft were laid down as export models des ...

aircraft crashed in Burma. The three other members of the crew, including former rugby player Les Adams, were killed. 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

in recognition of his courage and devotion to duty. Woodbridge is buried at the Rangoon War Cemetery.Commonwealth War Graves Commission – 1393806 Flt Sgt S J Woodbirdge GC
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Notes

References

London Gazette London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...

archive
George Cross (GC) Database – Highest civilian gallantry award
at www.gc-database.co.uk

at www.rafweb.org Stanley James Woodbridge *http://www.airscene.org/monument/GCawards.htm#woodbridge

at www.rquirk.com Details of the atrocity

at www.stephen-stratford.com {{DEFAULTSORT:Woodbridge, Stanley James 1921 births 1945 deaths Royal Air Force airmen Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve personnel of World War II British recipients of the George Cross Royal Air Force recipients of the George Cross Royal Air Force personnel killed in World War II English people murdered abroad Japanese war crimes People from Chelsea, London People murdered in Myanmar People executed by Japan by decapitation Executed people from London World War II prisoners of war held by Japan British World War II prisoners of war Military personnel from London 1945 murders in Myanmar