17-05-2025
Plans to honour RAF units includes Llangollen-born hero
The UK Government confirmed earlier this month that the initiative to recognise the PRU's unsung heroes had reached this crucial phase.
Clwyd East MP, Becky Gittins, has met with the team behind this project, which aims to highlight the PRU's significant contributions, including that of Leading Aircraftman John Oliver Roberts, who was born in Llangollen.
The PRU, established on September 24, 1939, played a vital role during the Second World War.
They conducted highly dangerous, secretive photographic reconnaissance missions across all theatres of operation, capturing more than 26 million images of enemy operations and installations.
The intelligence gathered by the PRU was used by all the armed forces to provide up-to-date intelligence on enemy activity.
It was instrumental in planning major operations, including D-Day and the Dambusters Raid, monitoring significant shipping movements, and locating the V1 and V2 rocket launching site at Peenemünde.
Due to the secretive nature of their operations, which involved solo missions without arms or armour, the death rate was nearly 50 per cent.
Despite having one of the lowest survival rates of the war, with a life expectancy of around two and a half months, there is no national memorial to the PRU.
Therefore, since 2021, the Spitfire AA810 Project has campaigned to establish a memorial for the 1,746 PRU pilots and navigators.
The PRU was made up predominantly of servicemen from across the United Kingdom, including John Roberts.
John Oliver Roberts, born in Llangollen, joined the 682 Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron based in the Mediterranean.
He tragically died off-duty on Wednesday, June 16, 1943, when he drowned while bathing in the sea at La Marsa, Tunisia.
His body was not recovered until three days after he was reported missing, and he is buried at Enfidaville War Cemetery in Tunisia.
He was only 19 years old.
Ms Gittins said: "I am pleased to support this fantastic campaign to commemorate those who served in the Photographic Reconnaissance Units.
"This includes John Roberts, from Llangollen, who served our country under what must have been exceptionally difficult conditions.
"It is so important, particularly during the 80-year anniversary of VE day, that we recognise the vital contribution that the likes of John and others from Clwyd East made to the war effort.
"The 26 million images the PRU garnered provided our armed forces with critical intelligence on the activity of enemy operations.
"I am also delighted that the memorial will recognise the work of photographic interpreters, a third of whom were women, whose skills and analysis for the PRU produced the war-winning intelligence that it did, ensuring that the pilots' sacrifice was not in vain."
