Pic: P Humphries
Sgt J Marriott DFM
Flight engineer
Lancaster serial number: ED937/G
Call sign: AJ-Z
First wave. Second aircraft to attack Eder Dam. Mine overshot. Aircraft damaged, and shot down on return flight.
Jack Marriott was born on 19 January 1920 in the small village of New Smithy in the Derbyshire Peak District, and went to the local village school at Chinley. He was a factory worker in a local bleach works before the war. At its outbreak, he joined the RAF and worked as ground crew.
As soon as the opportunity arose for experienced mechanics to retrain as heavy bomber flight engineers Marriott volunteered and after training was posted to 50 Squadron at Skellingthorpe. There he quickly gained a good reputation and was seen as setting a very high standard.
When Henry Maudslay joined the squadron, Marriott soon became his regular engineer, and flew with him on a number of operations before they were posted to 617 Squadron on 25 March 1942. When he left 50 Squadron, his CO recommended him for a DFM citing his ‘efficiency and enthusiasm for operational flying and his determination in helping to hit the targets’ as meriting the award. Sadly, it was only confirmed in July 1943, after his death, but was reported in the local press.
The week after the Dams Raid, the Derbyshire community in New Mills organised a ‘Wings for Victory’ week, encouraging local saving to pay for more RAF aircraft. It was reported that the parade was led by a Wren called Irene Marriott, representing the ‘Senior Service’. It is not known whether she was a relative of Jack Marriott. Further information would be gratefully received. If she was, it must have been a bitter sweet moment for her, knowing that Jack had been lost in action a few days previously.
Like his comrades, Jack Marriott is buried in Reichswald Cemetery.
More about Marriott online:
Commonwealth War Grave Commission entry
Chinley School photo from the 1920s
KIA 17.05.43
Rank and decorations as of 16 May 1943.
Sources:
Richard Morris, Guy Gibson, Penguin 1995
John Sweetman, The Dambusters Raid, Cassell 2002
