Notes
Ian David Henry Clarson was born in Shropshire on 6 December 1924, the son of Winifred (née Gradidge) and Major Joseph Henry Clarson. He was educated at Gosden House School near Guildford, and then at Lord Wandsworth College, Long Sutton from 1934 to 1941 where he was a member of the Football XI and the school swimming team, and Captain of the Cricket XI in 1941. On leaving school he went to work as a clerk at the offices of Messrs Heinz & Co at Bristol.
Ian Clarson was called up for military service in 1942 and selected for a Royal Air Force University Short Course. He entered Worcester College, Oxford on 9 October 1942 to study modern history and geography. He was a member of the College Football XI and was selected for the University team against the RAF.
On leaving the College at the conclusion of his short course, Ian Clarson underwent further training in Northern Ireland. He rose to the rank of Leading Aircraftsman before being commissioned in the RAFVR on 1 February 1944, and trained as a navigator. In June 1944 he survived the crash of his aircraft during training. He and his crew joined 78 Squadron on 7 July 1944 and completed 3 bombing operations, but on the fourth were shot down by a German fighter on the night of the 18/19 July. The aircraft crashed in northern France killing the entire crew including Flying Officer Ian Clarson. He was 19 years old.
Ian Clarson is buried at Neufmoulin Communal Cemetery, France. He is commemorated on the war memorials at Lord Wandsworth College, and at Worcester College, Oxford.