Stan Woodbridge

Flight Sergeant Stanley James Woodbridge, (29 August 1921 – 7 February 1945), known as Stan Woodbridge, 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. 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 defiantly refused to give information to his Japanese captors, about his codes or radio equipment.

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

Woodbridge is buried at the Rangoon War Cemetery.

George Cross citation
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the GEORGE CROSS to - 1393806 Flight Sergeant Stanley James Woodbridge (deceased), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 159 Squadron.

Flight Sergeant Woodbridge was a wireless operator in the crew of a Liberator aircraft which crashed in the jungle in Burma whilst engaged in an operation against the Japanese on 31 January 1945. Together with five other members of the crew, he was captured by the Japanese. All six were subjected to torture at the hands of their captors in an endeavour to obtain information which would have been of use to the Japanese Intelligence Service. Eventually, the four non-commissioned officers were separated and conveyed by motor transport to a forest, where they were put to death by beheading. Three officers and three non-commissioned officers of the Imperial Japanese Army were subsequently brought to trial by a Military Court charged with the torture and murder of the four airmen, they were all found guilty. Three of them were hanged and three were sentenced to terms of rigorous imprisonment. At the trial, it was revealed that the Japanese concentrated their efforts on Flight Sergeant Woodbridge, the wireless operator, in an endeavour to obtain technical information regarding wireless equipment, secret codes, wavelengths, etc.

A Japanese technical officer was detailed to carry out the interrogation, and the services of two interpreters were engaged, but, in spite of repeated torture which including kicking, beating with belts and with a sword, Flight Sergeant Woodbridge steadfastly refused to reveal any information whatsoever. The final interrogation took place at the site of the execution; when it was obvious to the unfortunate prisoner that he was to be put to death, he maintained his courageous attitude to the end, merely remarking that if the Japanese were going to kill him they should do it quickly. After all efforts to make him speak, including further torture, were found to be fruitless, this gallant non-commissioned officer was beheaded on 7 February 1945. Flight Sergeant Woodbridge behaved throughout with supreme courage. His fortitude, loyalty to his country and his complete disregard for his own safety, even unto death, constitute one of the highest examples of valour in the annals of the Royal Air Force.

Published in the London Gazette, 28 September 1948

The other crew members

 * Squadron Leader James Wilson Bradley DFC, pilot (survived)
 * Flight Sergeant Leslie Bellingan, 2nd pilot (beheaded)
 * Flying Officer Allan Graham Jeffrey, navigator (survived)
 * Flight Sergeant Robert James Snelling, flight engineer (beheaded)
 * Flight Sergeant John Derek Woodage, wireless operator/air gunner (beheaded)
 * Flying Officer William James John Lowery, special operator (missing, presumed dead)
 * Warrant Officer Arthur Roland Williams, RAAF, wireless operator/air gunner (missing, presumed dead)
 * Flight Sergeant Leslie Adams, air gunner (missing, presumed dead)

Aircraft details
Mark V B-24 Liberator, serial BZ938 "W" for "Wottawitch!!", C Flight (Special Flight), 159 Squadron