Notes
Michael Gervase Ham was born on 8 November 1917, the son of Hilda (née Haslam) and the Reverend Herbert Ham, later the first Provost of Derby Cathedral. He was educated at Bramcote School and then at Winchester College from 1931 to 1936, where he was Captain of the College Fencing Team, with whom he won the Kirby Cup in 1934 and 1936. He was also an accomplished draughtsman, winning the Headmaster’s Prize for Art, and had intended to make his career in the art world.
Michael Ham entered Worcester College on 9 October 1936, and was a member of the College Boat Club, rowing with the 1st Torpid and 2nd Eight in 1937. He achieved 3rd class honours in English in 1939. After leaving Oxford Michael Ham enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve where he trained as a pilot and rose to the rank of sergeant.
On 29 November 1940 Michael Ham and his crew took off from RAF Bicester for a formation flying exercise. Shortly after take off the aircraft’s port engine failed and it crashed, killing the Observer and Sergeant Michael Ham, who was 23 years old.
Michael Ham is buried at Dethick Lea and Holloway Cemetery, Derbyshire, and is commemorated on the war memorials at Winchester College, and Worcester College, Oxford.