Herbert John Ody was born in Cricklade Wiltshire in April 1915 to parents Herbert and Mary Ody (nee Lewis).  He married Margaret Jessie Ody in Watlington, Oxfordshire in 1939, aged 23. In 1940 he was living on the High Street in Watlington, Oxfordshire.

Thame Gazette: 12 May 1942. “Friends of Mr J Ody, Royal Air Force, formerly of this town, will regret to learn that he is officially reported as missing. Prior to joining up, Mr Ody was on the staff of Messrs. Pursers Ltd, and was a prominent member of Thame Hockey Club.”

921915 Sergeant Herbert John Ody WOp/Air Gnr Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve flew with 12 Sqn based at RAF Binbrook and died on 5th May 1942, age 26.   At 22:04 on 5th May 1942 Herbert embarked on a mission with his crew in their Vickers Wellington type II, serial number Z8495.

They were carrying a single 4000lb “cookie” bomb and were headed for Stuttgart, Germany. The aircraft crashed near Reuth, 8 km north east of Prüm, presumably as a result of enemy action. There were no survivors of the crash.  Herbert left effects totalling £905 16s. 7d. to his widow Jessie.

He is buried in Rheinberg War Cemetery, Westphalia Germany and in Thame is remembered on the Lord Williams’s School memorial board. He is also remembered on Watlington war memorial.