Basil Lyne Randall was born on the 3rd of September 1920 in Ashley, Market Drayton, Shropshire. His parents, George Lyne Randall, born in Wolstanton, Staffordshire (baptised 18 Apr 1886) and Florence Victoria née Fellows, born in Goldenhill, Staffordshire (10th June 1887), were married in the first quarter of 1916 in Wolstanton. Basil had one older brother, Martin Roland Randall, born in 1917.

Because Basil wasn't born in Burslem or the surrounding area, we researched his grandparents further. We found that his paternal grandparents were Annie Eliza Lyne (born in 1854 in Tredington, Worcestershire, England) and John Harrison Randall (born in 1853 in Shelton, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire). They were married in 1880 at St Peter's Church in Yoxall, Staffordshire. Meanwhile, his maternal grandparents were Titus Fellows (born in Kidsgrove, Staffordshire), who married Emily Worthington (born in Kidsgrove, Staffordshire) on 15 May 1882 at St John the Evangelist in Goldenhill, Staffordshire. Emily died in 1907. Titus Fellows later remarried Sarah Ann Macrory (born 24 April 1872 in Trentham, Staffordshire) in 1908 at St Mary and All Saints Church in Trentham, Staffordshire.

The 1921 census shows 9-month-old Basil Lyne Randall living at 34, The Post Office, Ashley, Shropshire, with his family. The household includes George L. Randall, aged 40 years and 5 months. George worked as a General Retailer and Sub-Postmaster in partnership with his father, John H. Randall, who was aged 68 years and 5 months. Also present were Florence V. Randall, working as a Clerk, and a brother, Martin R. Randall, aged 3 years and 9 months. Living with them was Nancy E. Wylde, a 15-year-old servant born in Ashley, Shropshire.

Tragically, George Lyne Randall died on the 16th October 1922, aged 41, of Epilepsy/Syncope.

The 1939 Register shows 19-year-old Basil, a single, pupil Draughtsman of Architectural Engineering, living at "Nesscliffe," 9 Newcastle Road, Loggerheads, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire. Because this community lies directly on the county border, it creates an unusual administrative situation where residents use Shropshire postal addresses but are governed by the Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council. Basil lived with Frederick Jones (born 16 March 1903), a married Bricklayer, and Ethel Jones nee Moore (born 7 July 1900), who performed unpaid domestic duties. Also in the household was Mary Moore (born 29 April 1877), the widowed mother of Ethel, who also performed unpaid domestic duties. Two additional records in this household are officially closed; they were most likely the children of Frederick and Ethel, Frederick B born in 1938 and Freda M born in 1944. 

Basil's widowed mother, Florence Randall, was living at Oulton Heath, Stone, Staffordshire, Working as a Housekeeper for Douglas P Taylor ( 1 Oct 1884), single, bank manager, wartime T.A. Reserve Capt Qm, RAMC, and Ethel Taylor (27 Apr 1860), widow, private means. 

It isn't clear where his Brother Martin was at that time; it is believed he married Neta M Trowill in the Apr/may/June quarter of 1942 in Stroud, Gloucestershire, their only son Patrick J being born in 1943. So it is likely Martin had moved away from home at the beginning of the war. 

Basil's role with Royal Doulton isn't known, but as a student Draughtsman of Architectural Engineering, he was found to have attended college in Staffordshire. In 1939, Royal Doulton’s Architectural Department was heavily focused on manufacturing Faience, Terracotta, and Sanitary ware for large-scale municipal, commercial, and military construction across the UK. 

The Sentinel Newspaper, Monday 26th September 1938, reported. 

Several scholarship, technological, and commercial studentship awards were reported to the Staffordshire Education Committee at its meeting at Stafford this afternoon.

The scholarship awards include the following: Engineering Studentships and Prizes (North Staffordshire). Senior Course-First Year: Basil L. Randall, Loggerheads. 

Monday 18th December 1939 Staffordshire Sentinel reports.

Technological and commercial Studentships awarded on the work of the 1938-39 session, reported to the Staffordshire Education Committee, included the following: Committee at its meeting at Stafford on Saturday for approval. Building: Basil Lyne Randall. Loggerheads. 

Records for Basil's service are currently not available, so his date of entry into the war is unknown. However, we do know he served with 57 Sqn Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. From the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939, 57 Squadron conducted reconnaissance missions, suffering several crew casualties. When Germany invaded the Low Countries in May 1940, the unit shifted to bombing operations from Rosières, France. The German advance forced a continuous retreat to Poix and then to Crécy, though the squadron launched counterattacks throughout the withdrawal. The squadron returned to England on 19–20 May 1940, regrouping at RAF Wyton on 21 May. By June 1940, it had relocated to northern Scotland. From July to October 1940, the unit executed anti-shipping sweeps across the North Sea following an initial strike on occupied Norway. Afterward, the squadron moved South to RAF Feltwell, transitioned to Wellington bombers, and entered the strategic night-bombing campaign in January 1941.

We know Basil Lyne Randall was an Observer. Until 1942, each aircraft carried two pilots and dual-role aircrew. The Observer’s role was to navigate the bomber to the target using astral navigation, map reading, and wireless position fixes, and then to release the payload onto the target. The Observer was often a commissioned officer but could hold any rank from Aircraftman 2nd Class (until 27 May 1940) up to Group Captain. 

An Observer wore a single-winged aircrew brevet with a wreath containing the letter 'O' on his tunic, above his left breast pocket, denoting his trade specialisation.

On 1 April 1942 at 22:05 BST, Vickers Wellington (serial X3607) departed RAF Feltwell on a bombing operation to Hanau, alongside 48 other aircraft—comprising 35 Wellingtons and 14 Hampdens. The Hampdens conducted a low-level attack at 750 feet between 21:53 and 23:40 hours, during which one was lost to a night fighter. Meanwhile, the Wellingtons dropped their payloads between 22:46 and 02:15 hours from altitudes ranging between 3,500 and 4,500 feet.

In the early morning, whilst overflying Germany, X3607 was shot down by German anti-aircraft fire (flak) and crashed in a wooded area near Lorsch. All six crew members were killed in the crash. Operating under a full moon, the bombers were highly vulnerable to Luftwaffe night fighters, which claimed 12 confirmed shoot-downs during the operation.

Crew:

F/Sgt John Oliver Hugh Nevill, pilot, Canadian Air Force, Age 25, Son of Thomas Nevill, and of Henrietta Maria Nevill (nee Varrelman). Silver Medallist, Manitoba Agricultural College. IN LOVING MEMORY. "THEY SHALL GROW NOT OLD” DURNBACH WAR CEMETERY Coll. grave 2. F. 10-18.

Sgt Henry Eric Cruze, pilot, Age 22, Son of Henry Thomas Cruze and Olive May Cruze, of Devonport. EVER REMEMBERED. DURNBACH WAR CEMETERY Coll. grave 2. F. 10-18.

Sgt Basil Lyne Randall, observer, aged 21, Son of George and Florence Victoria Randall. DURNBACH WAR CEMETERY Coll. grave 2. F. 10-18.

F/Sgt Stanley Jones, wireless operator and air gunner. DURNBACH WAR CEMETERY Coll. grave 2. F. 10-18.

F/Sgt Gerald Grant Giroux, wireless operator and air gunner, aged 25, Canadian Air Force, Husband of Mary Elizabeth Giroux. DURNBACH WAR CEMETERY 2. F. 7.

Sgt Michael O'Brien, air gunner, age 23, Son of Johannah Allen, of Mountain Ash, Glamorgan. DURNBACH WAR CEMETERY 2. F. 8. 

Basil Lynn Randall was entitled to the 1939-1945 Star with Bomber Command Clasp, Air Crew Europe Star, and War Medal 1939-45.

He is remembered on the Royal Doulton Memorial Burslem and the Ashley Parish War Memorial Cross, St John the Baptist Church, Ashley. 

November 18th, 1948 Newport and Market Drayton Advertiser 

Ashley Men Remembered.

The unveiling and dedication of the tablet bearing the names of the fallen in the 1939-45 war took place at Ashley on Sunday morning in the presence of a large gathering. The tablet, which bears three names, Basil L. Randall, Alfred J Griffiths, and Edward P. Crowley, has been added to the parish War Memorial Cross, which stands in the churchyard and which contains the names of the 21 men who made the Supreme Sacrifice in the 1914-18 war.

The dedication took place during the morning service, which was conducted by the Bishop of Shrewsbury (the Rt. Rev. R. L. Hodson), the Rector (the Rev. C. A. A. Ellard) being prevented by illness from taking part. The service was attended by representatives of the Ashley and District British Legion (Men's and Women's Section) and by members of the Madeley (Staffs) British Legion. The unveiling was performed by the churchwardens, Messrs. C. Tyler and Walker, and the tablet was then dedicated by the Bishop, after which the "Last Post" and "Reveille" were sounded by Mr. P. F. Chatham (Stoke Heath). The Legion oration was recited by Capt. R. P. O. Poole (Chairman of the Ashley Branch), the Lessons were read by Mr. S. E. Platt and Capt. Poole, and the organist was Mrs. P. W. Edwards. The offertory was in aid of the Church Roof Reconstruction Fund. Several wreaths were laid at the foot of the Cross.

Basil Randall's mother died in 1948.

RANDALL Florence Victoria of Nesscliffe, Newcastle Road, Loggerheads, Staffordshire, widow died 1 June 1948 Administration Gloucester 13 July to Martin Roland Randall, fitter. Effects £164 3s. Id.

Sources.

• Indexes created from Anglican Parish Registers held at Staffordshire Record Office; Stafford, Staffordshire, England
• General Register Office; United Kingdom; Volume: 5b; Page: 124
• Birth. General Register Office; United Kingdom; Reference: Volume 6a, Page 1237
• The National Archives of the UK (TNA); Kew, Surrey, England; 1921 Census Returns; Reference: RG 15/12465, ED 29, Sch 73; Book: 12465
• General Register Office; United Kingdom; Volume: 6a; Page: 795
• The National Archives; Kew, London, England; 1939 Register; Reference: RG 101/5472D
• Naval and Military Press; Uckfield, East Sussex, England; Airmen Died in the Second World War 1939-45
• International Bomber Command Centre; Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England; Losses Database: Https://Internationalbcc.Co.Uk/History-Archive/Losses-Database/
• https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000525/19391218/151/0007 
• https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/202252
• https://aircrewremembered.com/nevill-john.html
• John Harrison RANDALL, Mar quarter 1853, volume 6b, page 138, Stoke district
• BeWarwickshire County Record Office; Warwick, England; Warwickshire Anglican Registers; Roll: Engl 09000/93; Document Reference: DR 773/1
• Principal Probate Registry; London, England; Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in the Probate Registries of the High Court of Justice in England
• https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000525/19380926/168/0007
• https://www.ww2rafcollection.co.uk/RAF_Collection/Aircrew_Trades.html 
• https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/632002