In Memoriam - Those Air Force Pilots/Crews who died on this day in WW2.

On this day there were 42 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

ATA

RAF Iraq Levies

RAF 33

RAAF 3

RCAF 5

RIAF

RNZAF 1

SAAF

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps

WAAF

WAAAF

WAAF (SAAF)

WAAC
RAAF PERSONNEL SERVING ON ATTACHMENT IN ROYAL AIR FORCE
SQUADRONS AND SUPPORT UNITS IN WORLD WAR 2 AND MISSING WITH
NO KNOWN GRAVE.

408014 Sergeant MCQUITTY, William Morrison

Source:

NAA : A705, 163/141/293
Aircraft Type: Whitley
Serial number: T 4209
Radio call sign: EY – W
Unit: 78 Sqn RAF

Summary:

Whitley T 24209 took off from RAF Station Middleton St George, County Durham, at
2300 hours on 8 July 1941 to attack Hamm, Germany.

Crew :

RAAF 408014 Sgt McQuitty, W M (Pilot) †
RAF PO Scott, E A (Pilot) †
RAF Sgt Haffenden, J P (Observer)
RAF Sgt Clow, D T (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) †
RAF Sgt Forster, W (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) †

In a later statement by the sole survivor, Sgt Haffenden (RAF) he reported :
When over the target, heavy flak broke the nose perspex, and later flak fire put the
starboard engine out of action. The aircraft set course for base with the pilot head shot
away.

Immediately after crossing the coast at Texel, T 4209 was attacked by two ME
110’s at 0300 hours on 9 July. After being followed for 5 minutes the Air Gunner put in a
long burst into an enemy aircraft and it went into a steep dive.
Sometime later the aircraft lost height to 400 feet, and with the other engine cut out due
to overheating, the aircraft crashed into the sea at 0429 hours.

The crew got into the
dinghy which was inflated, but it immediately became water logged. Sgt Haffenden
(RAF) swam ashore to the English coast some 8/9 miles, walked two miles to the Coast
Guard station to raise the alarm, and was taken to Bircham Newton.
Subsequent searches failed to reveal any trace of the other missing crew members other
than that of Sgt Foster (RAF) whose body was washed ashore on the 9th July. On 20 July
the body of PO Scott (RAF) was found and was interred in England.

It was later recorded that the remaining missing crew members had lost their lives at sea.

From: New Page 1

Father's Protest At Lack of Official Advice

SGT-PILOT WILLIAM MORRISON McQuitty (20) son of Mr and the late Mrs James McQuittv of Glen St Hobart is reported missing. In the latest British Air Ministry casualty list It is stated unofficially that he was drowned while returning from a bombing raid over Germany

His father said last night he had received no official notification that his son was missing Last week he said I received a cablegram from my father n Belfast ex pressing deepest sympathy and I wondered .what this referred to then I saw an article in a mainland newspaper about William and his supposed death

I wrote to the Air Board immediately asking it to check the statements and the board informed me by telegram that it would make inquiries in London. That is all I have heard. Mv family and I have been in suspense waiting for something official and Î hope other parents are not treated like this

McQuitty’s heroism was commented on last week by the London correspondent of a mainland newspaper It was stated that he and three other members of the crew of a bomber were drowned while returning from Germany.

McQuitty s Whitley bomber (said this correspondent) was hit severely while he was flying to his objective On one engine he flew on amid a hail of shells the shrapnel from which made many holes in the fuselage and wings of the bomber McQuitty however piloted the aircraft as if nothing had happened continuously losing height until he was over his target when he released his bombs

He then began the perilous return flight of more than 200 miles across the sea It appeared that he would be able to land his machine but suddenly the overworked engine seized and the aircraft planed down to the water.It was then nine miles from the coast which normally the crew would have had an excellent chance of reaching in their rubber dinghy When the dinghy was launched however it was impossible to inflate it because it had been punctured by shrapnel. The crew then had to rely on their Mae Wests (lifebelts) When the rear gunner-a poor swimmer-tried to in date his he found that it had been punctured and could not be inflated

The observer-a strapping fellow and a strong swimmer-thereupon handed his life belt to the gunner The observer reached the shore hours afterwards exhausted after having avoided the menace of coastal defence devices

I last saw McQuitty he said calmlv standing on the top of the fuselage giving advice and instructions in an effort to save his companions He was wizard (Wizard is an R A F word indicating super excellence)

McQuitty was interested in aviation from boyhood He was an enthusiastic adherent of gliding and from this he graduated to power flying He obtained his A class licence at Cambridge Tasmania a few weeks after the war broke out At RAAF training school he topped the school with 99 p c in practical flying tests After completing his training he was draftediInto theI Royal Air Force.

We are still hopeful the news that Will was drowned is not true said Mr McQuitty tonight.

His older brother was also killedreturningfrom a mission over Germany,

McQuitty, Robert John Service Number 408338 Death Date 24/06/1944
Place of Death North West Europe
Cause of Death Flying Battle
Burial Plougonvelin Comm. Cem. France
see also WILLIAM MORRISON MCQUITTY




In Memory of
Sergeant
William Morrison McQuitty
408014, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 09 July 1941 Age 20
Son of James M. and Kathleen Marie Proctor McQuitty, of South Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Runnymede Memorial

In Memory of
Pilot Officer Pilot
Edward Alan Scott
87404, 78 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 09 July 1941 Age 24
Son of Edward Joseph and Mary Scott; husband of Dorothy Margaret Scott, of East Boldon.
Remembered with Honour
Boldon Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant
David John Clow
970463, 78 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 09 July 1941 Age 21
Son of Andrew Brown Clow and Hester Clow, of Edinburgh. Born Canada.
Remembered with Honour
Runnymede Memorial

In Memory of
Sergeant W.Op./Air Gnr.
William Forster
982883, 78 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 09 July 1941 Age 32
Son of William and Annie Forster, of Gateshead, Co. Durham.
Remembered with Honour
Newcastle-Upon-Tyne (West Road) Crematorium

 

Two Hudson IIIA aircraft, same aerodrome, same squadron, similar take off time. One failed to gain height and crashed into trees at the end of the runway. The other gained height but crashed into the sea almost immediately after take off. Just bad luck???

Crews on Shipping strikes from Idku, 10 July 1942 (No.459 Sqn RAAF)


On this day there were 61 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

ATA

RAF Iraq Levies

RAF 33

RAAF 13

RCAF 13

RIAF

RNZAF 2

SAAF

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps

WAAF

WAAAF

WAAF (SAAF)

WAAC
Crews on Shipping strikes from Idku, 10 July 1942 (No.459 Sqn RAAF)

Hudson Mk IIIA FH 247

Took off at c.01.30
Hit trees at end of runway and exploded.

All KIA.

F/O C T O'Brien, RAAF +
P/O C P Lawton, RAAF +
F/Sgt J W Clarke, RAAF +
F/Sgt L Broomfield, RAAF +

Hudson Mk IIIA V9027

Crashed in sea soon after take-off.

All KIA

F/Sgt F G Livingston, RAAF +
Sgt A E Dignum, RAFVR +
F/Sgt J V Cruikshank, RAAF +
F/Sgt H E Lake, RAAF +

See:
Desert Scorpions:A History of 459 Squadron RAAF 1942-1945.
Kane-Maguire,Leon.
Loftus:A.H.M.P. Pubs.,2007.
p.134
[/SIZE]

Crew:
Hudson Mk IIIA FH 247

In Memory of
Flying Officer
Cecil Terence O'brien
404257, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 10 July 1942 Age 29
Son of Thomas and Catherine O'Brien, of Capella, Queensland, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery

In Memory of
Pilot Officer
Charles Patrick Lawton
406251, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 10 July 1942 Age 30
Son of Charles Francis and Margaret Eva Honor Lawton, of Gooseberry Hill, Western Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery

In Memory of
Flight Sergeant
Joseph William Clarke
404580, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 10 July 1942 Age 28
Son of Frank and Mina Clarke; husband of Lorna Jean Clarke, of Woollahra, New South Wales, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery

In Memory of
Flight Sergeant
Leslie Broomfield
404397, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 10 July 1942 Age 25
Son of Frederick and Ellen Dorcas Broomfield, of Manly, New South Wales, Australia; husband of Daphne
Charity Ann Broomfield, of Wynnum, Queensland, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery




Crew:
Hudson Mk IIIA V9027

In Memory of
Flight Sergeant
Frank Gibney Livingston
400891, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 10 July 1942 Age 25
Son of Charles Stanley Livingston and Leonia Livingston, of Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant Obs.
Arthur Edmund Dignum
931915, 459 (R.A.A.F.) Sqdn, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 10 July 1942 Age 25
Son of Harry William and Elizabeth Louise Dignum, of Sea Mills, Gloucestershire.
Remembered with Honour
Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery

In Memory of
Flight Sergeant
John Vincent Cruikshank
403504, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 10 July 1942 Age 23
Son of Sydney Herbert and Ann Alexander Cruikshank, of Leichhardt, New South Wales, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery

In Memory of
Flight Sergeant
Herbert Edmond Lake
401383, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 10 July 1942 Age 28
Son of Harold and Jessie Maud Amelia Lake, of Ballarat, Victoria, Australia; husband of Stella Adele Lake,
of Geelong, Victoria.
Remembered with Honour
Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery

 

On this day there were 56 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

ATA

RAF Iraq Levies

RAF 34

RAAF 4

RCAF 10

RIAF

RNZAF 6

SAAF 2

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps

WAAF

WAAAF

WAAF (SAAF)

WAAC
RAAF FATALITIES IN SECOND WORLD WAR AMONG
RAAF PERSONNEL SERVING ON ATTACHMENT
IN ROYAL AIR FORCE SQUADRONS AND SUPPORT UNITS

401251 Sergeant SMITH, Norman Lindsay

Source:

AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 163/162/401 Commonwealth War Graves records
W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Page 149,
Volume 1942.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster
Serial number: R 5696
Radio call sign: OF – H
Unit: ATTD 97 SQN RAF

Summary:

Lancaster R5696 took off from RAF Woodhall Spa satellite at 1642 hours on the 11th
July1942, detailed to bomb Danzig. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and
it failed to return to base.

Crew:

RAF Flt Lt Miller, C W Captain (Pilot) †
RAF Sgt J Forsyth, (2nd Pilot) †
RAF Sgt A T Grossmith (Observer) †
RAAF 401251 Sgt N L Smith, (Wireless Air Gunner) †
RAF PO Eslick, J N (Front Gunner) †
RCAF Flt Sgt A E Nickerson, (Mid Gunner) †
RCAF PO Westgate, R J (Rear Gunner) †

Owing to bad weather encountered en route the formation was broken before reaching the
target. Over the target searchlights, heavy and light flak were encountered. The base of
the cloud was 5000 feet.

All the crew of R5696 were killed and they are buried in the Malbork Commonwealth
War Cemetery, Poland. Malbork is a town on the river Nogat located in the north of
Poland and to the south east of the city of Gdansk (Danzig).
View attachment 84675 .JPG]

In Memory of
Flight Lieutenant Pilot.
Charles William Miller
D F C
36270, 97 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
who died on 11 July 1942 Age 24
Son of Charles Fraser Miller and Elizabeth Johnson Miller (formerly McIntosh), of Blenheim, Marlborough,
New Zealand.
Remembered with Honour
Malbork Commonwealth War Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant pilot.
John Forsyth
1007363, 97 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 11 July 1942 Age 22
Son of John and Margaret M. Forsyth, of Gosforth, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Remembered with Honour
Malbork Commonwealth War Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant Obs.
Alan Thomas Grossmith
1280705, 97 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 11 July 1942 Age 22
Son of Thomas John and Maud Evelyn Grossmith, of Stoke Newington, London.
Remembered with Honour
Malbork Commonwealth War Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant
Norman Lindsay Smith
401251, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 11 July 1942 Age 27
Son of Alexander and Ethel Smith; husband of Edith Winnifred Smith, of Alphington, Victoria, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Malbork Commonwealth War Cemetery

In Memory of
Pilot Officer W.Op/Air Gnr.
Joseph Norman Eslick
106076, 97 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 11 July 1942 Age 30
Son of Arthur and Olivia Eslick; husband of Kathleen Clarice Eslick, of Plymouth.
Remembered with Honour
Malbork Commonwealth War Cemetery

In Memory of
Flight Sergeant Air Gnr.
Aiden Ernest Nickerson
R/64786, 97 (R.A.F.) Sqdn., Royal Canadian Air Force
who died on 11 July 1942 Age 20
Son of George Wesley Nickerson and Kathleen Marion Nickerson, of Anagance, King's Co., New
Brunswick, Canada.
Remembered with Honour
Malbork Commonwealth War Cemetery

In Memory of
Pilot Officer W.Op./Air Gnr.
Robert John Westgate
J/15812, 97 (R.A.F.) Sqdn., Royal Canadian Air Force
who died on 11 July 1942 Age 20
Son of Mr. R.J. Westgate of East Angus, Quebec.
Remembered with Honour
Malbork Commonwealth War Cemetery

 

On this day there were 48 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

ATA

RAF Iraq Levies

RAF 26

RAAF 13

RCAF 8

RIAF

RNZAF

SAAF

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps

WAAF 1

WAAAF

WAAF (SAAF)

WAAC


Bristol Beaufort Bomber
A9-64
100sqn RAAF
12th July 1942

Crew:

FLGOFF Robert Terence Wolfenden Elcoate 712, †

SGT Charles Martin Redgrave 405934, †

FLTSGT James Robert Axon 405033(WAG), †

SGT Dudley Merton Wehl 404520 (observer). †




In 1995 the Dromana and District Historical Society erected an Aircraft Crash Site Plaque in memory of the crew.

As war was not declared the August 1938 crew are not listed on the CWGC website.

Arthurs Seat Summit -
Aircraft Crash Site Plaque:
AUSTRALIA REMEMBERS 1945 - 1995 THIS PLAQUE WAS UNVEILED AND DEDICATED ON THE 12TH DAY OF JULY
1995, BEING THE 53RD ANNIVERSARY OF THE CRASH OF AN RAAF BEAUFORT
PLANE INTO ARTHURS SEAT. THIS MONUMENT IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY
OF THE TWO AIR CREWS WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN SEPARATE AIR CRASHES
ON ARTHURS SEAT, WHILST UNDERGOING TRAINING TO PREPARE THEM FOR THE DEFENCE OF AUSTRALIA.
AT 9.45 A.M. ON THE 1OTH AUGUST 1938, AN AVRO ANSON A4-29 OF NO 2 SQUADRON
WAS FLYING IN LOW CLOUD WHEN IT CRASHED INTO THE NORTH WESTERN
FACE OF ARTHURS SEAT. THE FOUR CREWMEN KILLED WERE
P.O. ROBERT STANLEY SYMONDS 22 OF EASTWOOD S.A. PILOT
SGT. PILOT JOHN McMAHON GILLESPIE 28 OF ST KILDA VIC. NAV.
AC1 KENNETH CAMPBELL McKERROW 23 OF CARNEGIE VIC. W.O.
AC1 ROBERT WINDRAM MAWSON 28 OF TURRAMURRA N.S.W. FITTER
MIRACULOUSLY
AC1 JAMES GLOVER 21 OF HAWTHORN VIC. WAS INJURED BUT SURVIVED
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AT 7 A.M. ON SUNDAY 12TH JULY 1942 A BEAUFORT A9-64 FLYING IN MIST AND
LOW CLOUD JUST MANAGED TO CLEAR THE SUMMIT OF THE MOUNTAIN AND
CRASHED IN SCRUB LAND SOUTH OF THE LOOKOUT TOWER, ALL CREW
MEMBERS WERE KILLED THEY WERE
F.O. ROBERT (TERRY) ELCOATE 24 OF MELBOURNE VIC.
SGT. DUDLEY MERTON WEHL 22 OF CAPELLA QLD.
SGT. JAMES ROBERT AXON 22 OF BRISBANE QLD.
SGT. CHARLES MARTIN REDGRAVE 31 OF GRAFTON N. S.W.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A DROMANA AND DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC. PROJECT 1995





In Memory of
Flying Officer
Robert Terence Wolfenden Elcoate
712, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 12 July 1942 Age 24
Son of Mr. and Mrs. R. L. G. Elcoate, of Cloncurry, Queensland.
Remembered with Honour
Brighton General Cemetery, Victoria

In Memory of
Sergeant
Charles Martin Redgrave
405934, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 12 July 1942 Age 31
Son of Alfred and Ada Redgrave; husband of Lila B. Redgrave, of Kangaroo Creek, New South Wales.
Remembered with Honour
Victoria Cremation Memorial

In Memory of
Flight Sergeant
James Robert Axon
405033, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 12 July 1942 Age 22
Son of Samuel and Mary Margaret Axon, of Walgett, New South Wales.
Remembered with Honour
Box Hill General Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant
Dudley Merten Wehl
404520, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 12 July 1942 Age 22
Son of Henry Merten Wehl and Linette Mabel Wehl, of Capella, Queensland.
Remembered with Honour
Burwood General Cemetery

 

First Australian to be killed in the Battle of Britain.

Although all deaths on this day are listed as RAF, F/L Kennedy and F/O Terence Newton 218sqn were both Australian.


On this day there were 15 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

ATA

RAF Iraq Levies

RAF 15

RAAF

RCAF

RIAF

RNZAF

SAAF

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps

WAAF

WAAAF

WAAF (SAAF)

WAAC
40052 F/Lt John Connolly Kennedy. KIA:

13/07/40.

Australian.

RAF 238 Squadron

Hurricane I P2950.

13/07/1953 IN MEMORIAM
ON ACTIVE SERVICE KENNEDY-In affectionate remembrance of Flight Lieutenant John Connelly Kennedy, R.A.F. who gave his life for his country, July 13, 1940.
Pat Bray and George Holliday, Directors of Bray and Holllday Pty. Ltd.


F/Lt. J C Kennedy

John Connelly Kennedy was born in Sydney, Australia and educated at St Charles College, Waverley. He joined the RAAF in 1936 and carried out his flying training at Point Cook. He left Australia in July 1937 and transferred to the RAF on a short service commission in August.

Kennedy was posted to No.1 FTS Leuchars for a short flying course after which he joined 65 Squadron at Hornchurch on 19th December 1937. Promoted to Acting Flight Lieutenant, Kennedy was posted to 238 Squadron at Middle Wallop as a Flight Commander on 31st May 1940.

After attacking a Do17 over Chesil Beach on 13th July Kennedy's aircraft was attacked by German fighters and he dived towards the coast. As he approached to make a forced-landing on the shore, he stalled and crashed at Southdown, Littlemore trying to avoid high tension cables.

Kennedy, who may have been wounded, was killed in the crash. He was 23 and is buried in Holy Trinity Churchyard, Warmwell.




Informal group portrait of pilots from 65 Squadron, RAF. Indentified, second from left, 017934 Pilot Officer (PO) Gordon Olive, and sixth from left 40052 PO John Connolly (Jack) Kennedy. Both airmen were graduates from the RAAF College, Point Cook, who accepted Short Service Commissions in the RAF. PO Kennedy was the first Australian pilot killed in the Battle of Britain on 13 July 1940 flying a Hawker Hurricane.



In Memory of
Flight Lieutenant Pilot
John Connolly Kennedy
40052, 238 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
who died on 13 July 1940 Age 23
Son of John and Frances Martha Kennedy, of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Warmwell (Holy Trinity) Churchyard

 

Hello spidge, great posts.
just wondered where your getting all your facts and data from.??
also wondered if you have any details regarding the crew of the Wellington Bomber ’Sir George Higgins OBE’ which crashed on 26 Sept 1943 in the grounds of Bosworth Hall, Husbands Bosworth Leicestershire.

 

On this day there were 74 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

ATA

RAF Iraq Levies

RAF 58

RAAF 4

RCAF 10

RIAF

RNZAF 2

SAAF

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps

WAAF

WAAAF

WAAF (SAAF)

WAAC
RAAF FATALITIES IN SECOND WORLD WAR AMONG
RAAF PERSONNEL SERVING ON ATTACHMENT
IN ROYAL AIR FORCE SQUADRONS AND SUPPORT UNITS

401304 Flying Officer DAVIES, Llewellyn Alfred

Source:

AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 163/27/140 Commonwealth War Graves records
W R Chorley :RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Page 150,
Volume 1942.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster
Serial number: R 5558
Radio call sign: OF – T
Unit: ATTD 97 SQN RAF

Summary:

Lancaster R5558 took off from Woodhall Spa at 0050 hours on the night of 13/14th July
1942, to bomb Duisberg, Germany. At 0430 hours the aircraft crashed into the sea four
miles off Wells, Norfolk. The aircraft returned by the correct route and with low cloud
was down to 300 feet on return it asked for two QDM’s. All the crew were killed in the
crash.

Crew :

RNZAF PO Blease, J T Captain (Pilot) †
RAF Sgt C G Leitch, (Flight Engineer) †
RAAF 401304 FO Davies, L A (Navigator) †
RAF Flt Sgt J Tales, (Wireless Air Gunner) †
RCAF Flt Sgt A J McPhee, (Mid Gunner) †
RAF Sgt L Robinson, (Rear Gunner) †
RAF Sgt B Earnshaw, (Front Gunner) †

PO Blease, FO Davies and Flt Sgt McPhee are buried in the Great Bircham (St Mary)
Churchyard, Norfolk, UK.

Sgt Leitch and Sgt Earnshaw have no known grave and their names are commemorated
on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK.

Flt Sgt Tales is buried in the West Mercea (Barfield Road) Burial Ground, Essex, UK

Sgt Robinson is buried in the Ashton-under-Lyne (Hurst) Cemetery, Lancashire, UK.

From: 97 Squadron Association - Flight Operations

13.7.42 Night Flying Tests and 7 aircraft detailed for ops. Sgt Warren, detached to Wigsley, has been reported killed today in a flying accident in an Oxford aircraft. The op is a raid on Duisburg. One aircraft cancelled before take off, five aircraft reached and bombed target or target area. F/O Blease and crew apparently bombed the target but on return crashed into the sea about 4 miles off Wells, Norfolk. The weather was bad and cloud reported down to 300’ over the sea. Two signals asked for QDM’s were received and the aircraft was on the correct route. Sea rescue was sent out and they found the Navigator, P/O Davies, clinging to the wreckage – no trace of any of the others could be found. Aircraft searched the sea all day and, late at night the bodies of F/O Blease and F/Sgt McPhee were recovered and sent to RAF Bircham Newton. P/O Davies died later in Wells Hospital.


The Wells lifeboat "Royal Silver Jubilee 1910 - 1935" was launched shortly after 06.15hrs, on receiving a report of the downed aircraft, under the command of Coxswain Theodor Neilson. The still floating fuselage of the Lancaster was found, together with one seriously injured crew member (F/O Davies) clinging to the wing. Coxswain Theodor Neilson boarded the remains of the fuselage to search for possible survivors, even though there was a considerable risk of the aircraft sinking. Finding no-one in the fuselage, the lifeboat returned to Wells and F/O Davies was taken to hospital where he unfortunately died shortly afterwards. The Lifeboat returned to search for the rest of the 7 crew and recovered the bodies of F/O Blease and F/Sgt. McPhee. The other 4 crew members were never found, and are remembered on the RAF memorial at Runnymede. John Blease was buried on 18 July 1942 in joint funeral with his 2 fellow crew members.
Coxswain Neilson was subsequently awarded an RNLI inscription of thanks on vellum, for his bravery in boarding the remains of the fuselage to search for possible survivors, in spite of the possibility of it sinking without warning.





In Memory of
Flying Officer Pilot
John Thomas Blease
405221, 97 (R.A.F.) Sqdn., Royal New Zealand Air Force
who died on 14 July 1942 Age 24
Son of John Joseph Blease and of Iris Olive Blease (nee Stewart), of Christchurch, Canterbury, New
Zealand.
Remembered with Honour
Great Bircham (St. Mary) Churchyard

In Memory of
Sergeant
Cecil Gordon Leitch
571775, 97 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
who died on 14 July 1942 Age 20
Son of Andrew Gordon Leitch and Winifred Kate Leitch, of Eaglesham, Renfrewshire.
Remembered with Honour
Runnymede Memorial

In Memory of
Flying Officer
Llewellyn Alfred Davies
401304, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 14 July 1942 Age 33
Son of Alfred Ebenezer and Hazel Winifred Davies; husband of Hazel Margaret Davies, of Canterbury,
Victoria, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Great Bircham (St. Mary) Churchyard

In Memory of
Flight Sergeant W.Op./Air Gnr.
James Tales
755804, 97 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 14 July 1942
Son of Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Tales, of South Benfleet.
Remembered with Honour
West Mersea (Barfield Road) Burial Ground

In Memory of
Flight Sergeant Air Gnr.
Allan Jeremiah McPhee
R/75116, 97 (R.A.F.) Sqdn., Royal Canadian Air Force
who died on 14 July 1942 Age 23
Son of James McPhee, and of Gladys McPhee, of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Remembered with Honour
Great Bircham (St. Mary) Churchyard

In Memory of
Sergeant Air Gnr.
Leslie Robinson
1128848, 97 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 14 July 1942 Age 19
Son of Alfred L. Robinson and Doris Robinson, of Ashton-under-Lyne.
Remembered with Honour
Ashton-Under-Lyne (Hurst) Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant
Bryan Earnshaw
1057318, 97 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 14 July 1942 Age 22
Son of Fred and Edith Elsie Earnshaw, of Tankersley, Yorkshire.
Remembered with Honour
Runnymede Memorial

 

Hello spidge, great posts.
just wondered where your getting all your facts and data from.??
also wondered if you have any details regarding the crew of the Wellington Bomber ’Sir George Higgins OBE’ which crashed on 26 Sept 1943 in the grounds of Bosworth Hall, Husbands Bosworth Leicestershire.

Were all or some of the crew killed?

Cheers

Geoff

 

Were all or some of the crew killed?

Cheers

Geoff

Geoff,

Page 251 of Chorleys BCL Vol 7, OTU Losses. Wellington DV697. Crew of four, all killed.

As two of them were RAAF (both lie in Oxford (Botley) Cemetery) I'll leave it to you to put together one of your pages on them.

Cheers,

Dave

 

In Memory of
Pilot Officer W.Op./Air Gnr.
Robert John Westgate
J/15812, 97 (R.A.F.) Sqdn., Royal Canadian Air Force
who died on 11 July 1942
No NOK Listed
Remembered with Honour
Malbork Commonwealth War Cemetery

P/O Westgate was the son of Mr. R.J. Westgate of East Angus, Quebec. He was 20 years of age.

 

Geoff,

Page 251 of Chorleys BCL Vol 7, OTU Losses. Wellington DV697. Crew of four, all killed.

As two of them were RAAF (both lie in Oxford (Botley) Cemetery) I'll leave it to you to put together one of your pages on them.

Cheers,

Dave

Thanks Dave,

I had the two deaths on my database but did not put them together with this.

I asked white1 to start a separate thread as I feel she is looking for supplementary information.

Cheers

Geoff

 

P/O Westgate was the son of Mr. R.J. Westgate of East Angus, Quebec. He was 20 years of age.

Thanks Dave,

I will edit the post.


Cheers

Geoff

 

On this day there were 109 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

ATA

RAF Iraq Levies

RAF 72

RAAF 10

RCAF 21

RIAF

RNZAF 5

SAAF 1

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps

WAAF

WAAAF

WAAF (SAAF)

WAAC
RAAF FATALITIES IN SECOND WORLD WAR AMONG
RAAF PERSONNEL SERVING ON ATTACHMENT
IN ROYAL AIR FORCE SQUADRONS AND SUPPORT UNITS

419370 Flight Sergeant WILSON, Douglas Harold

428757 Flight Sergeant EVANS, Harry William

Source:

AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 166/12/90 Commonwealth War Graves records
W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, 1939-1947,
Page 124 Volume 8.
Aircraft Type: Stirling
Serial number: LK 564
Radio call sign:
Unit: 1651 Conversion 31 Base RAF

Summary:

On the night of 14/15th July 1944, Stirling LK564 took off from RAF Wratting Connon at
2245 hours, detailed to carry out a Bullseye sortie. While the aircraft was banking at
3,000 feet, the Pilot lost control and the aircraft spun in, at approx 0330 hours at
Shortgrove Park, near Saffron Walden, Essex. All the crew were killed.

Crew:

RAAF 419370 Flt Sgt D H Wilson, Captain (Pilot) †
RAF Flt Sgt J B Fairservice, (Flight Engineer) †
RAF FO Davie, P (Screened Navigator) †
RAF Sgt W J Morgan (Navigator) †
RAAF 428757 Flt Sgt H W Evans, (Air Bomber) †
RAF Sgt S Houston, (Wireless Air Gunner) †
RAF Sgt H L Williams, (Mid Upper Gunner) †
RAF Sgt M Wilkinson, (Rear Gunner) †

Flt Sgt’s Wilson and Evans are buried in the Cambridge City Cemetery, Cambridgeshire,
UK. The cemetery is known locally as the Newmarket Road Cemetery.

Flt Sgt Fairservice is buried in the Hamilton West Cemetery, UK.

FO Davie is buried in the Stirling (Valley) Cemetery, UK.

Sgt Morgan is buried in the Swindon (Whitworth Road) Cemetery, UK.

Sgt Houston is buried in the Sutton Coldfield Cemetery, UK.

Sgt Williams is buried in the Llandudno (Great Orme’s Head) Cemetery, UK.

Sgt Wilkinson is buried in the Glasgow (Eastwood) Cemetery, Scotland, UK.





In Memory of
Flight Sergeant
Douglas Harold Wilson
419370, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 15 July 1944 Age 26
Son of Harold and Jean Ferguson Wilson, of Geraldton, Western Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Cambridge City Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant Flt. Engr.
James Brown Fairservice
1691254, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 15 July 1944 Age 38
Son of William Hastie Fairservice and Euphemia Brown Fairservice; husband of Annie C. S. Fairservice
(nee Brown), of Hamilton.
Remembered with Honour
Hamilton West Cemetery

In Memory of
Flying Officer Nav.
Peter Davie
170752, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 15 July 1944 Age 22
Son of Peter C. Davie and Margaret A. Davie, of Stirling.
Remembered with Honour
Stirling (Mars Walk) Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant Nav.
Walter John Morgan
1577083, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 15 July 1944 Age 29
Son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Morgan, of Swindon; husband of Edith F. Morgan, of Handsworth, Birmingham.
Remembered with Honour
Swindon (Whitworth Road) Cemetery

In Memory of
Flight Sergeant
Harry William Evans
428757, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 15 July 1944 Age 23
Son of William and Ethel Dora Evans, of Hornsby, New South Wales, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Cambridge City Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant W.Op./Air Gnr.
Stephen Houston
1111046, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 15 July 1944 Age 29
Husband of Constance Houston, of Sutton field.
Remembered with Honour
Sutton Coldfield Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant Air Gnr.
Harold Lloyd Williams
624020, Royal Air Force
who died on 15 July 1944 Age 28
Son of Joseph Owen Williams and Agnes Williams, of Llandudno.
Remembered with Honour
Llandudno (Great Orme's Head) Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant Air Gnr.
Matthew Wilkinson
3020214, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 15 July 1944 Age 19
Son of Matthew and Isabella Wilkinson, of Glasgow.
Remembered with Honour
Glasgow (Eastwood) Cemetery

 

On this day there were 87 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

ATA

RAF Iraq Levies

RAF 48

RAAF 12

RCAF 19

RIAF 1

RNZAF

SAAF 7

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps

WAAF

WAAAF

WAAF (SAAF)

WAAC
RAAF FATALITIES IN SECOND WORLD WAR AMONG
RAAF PERSONNEL SERVING ON ATTACHMENT
IN ROYAL AIR FORCE SQUADRONS AND SUPPORT UNITS

420561 Flying Officer HEGARTY, Dermot John DFC

Source:

AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 166/17/667 Micro Film No 463 OAFH
Commonwealth War Graves records, W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses
of the Second World War, Page 331, Volume 1944.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster
Serial number: ND 464
Radio call sign: OL – S
Unit: ATTD 83 SQN RAF

Summary:

Lancaster ND464 took off from RAF Coningsby on the 16th July 1944, on a night
bombing training exercise. The aircraft was partially abandoned at 2348 hours following
total engine failure during the exercise. Three of the crew were killed.

Crew:

RAAF 420561 FO Hegarty, D J DFC Captain (Pilot) †
RAF Sgt W A Smith, (Flight Engineer)
RNZAF Flt Lt Galbraith (Nav/B
RAF FO Sillitoe, K E E (Wireless Operator Air) †
RAF FO R Hay, (Mid Gunner)
RAF WO M G Cross, (Rear Gunner) †

FO Hegarty is buried in the Cambridge City Cemetery, Cambridgeshire, UK. The
cemetery is known locally as the Newmarket Cemetery.

FO Sillitoe is buried in the Leeds (Lawns Wood) Cemetery, Yorkshire, UK

WO Cross is buried in the Machen (St John) Churchyard Extension, Monmouthshire,
UK.

The other three crew members successfully baled out and were uninjured.

Citation :

The citation for the DFC awarded to FO Hegarty is as follows :
FO Hegarty is an extremely capable and courageous captain of aircraft who has
completed many successful operations. One night in June 1944while on the outward
flight to attack an important target in the Ruhr, the aircraft was attacked by an ME110
and severe damage was sustained to the electrical equipment and bombing gear. By
skilful evasion tactics and coolness, FO Hegarty saved the aircraft from destruction.
Continuing to the target, the aircraft was twice hit in the fuselage by anti-aircraft fire and
on leaving the target, again suffered damage from the ground defences.

Shortly after this,
an ME110 attacked and on this occasion the navigator and wireless operator were
wounded and further extensive damage sustained by the aircraft.

Again, FO Hegarty’s
skilful pilotage enabled him to avoid destruction and by his determination and zealous
application, eventually flew the aircraft back to the United Kingdom.
(London Gazette 13/10/1944, page 4694)


In Memory of
Flying Officer
Dermot John Hegarty
D F C
420561, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 16 July 1944 Age 23
Son of James and Margaret Teresa Hegarty, of Pymble, New South Wales, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Cambridge City Cemetery

In Memory of
Flying Officer W.Op./Air Gnr.
Kenneth Edward Ewen Sillitoe
155368, 83 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 16 July 1944 Age 21
Son of Edward Alma and Margaret Gertrude Sarah Sillitoe, of Hyde Park, Leeds.
Remembered with Honour
Leeds (Lawns Wood) Cemetery

In Memory of
Warrant Officer Air Gnr.
Michael Govier Cross
1314932, 83 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 16 July 1944 Age 23
Son of Tom and Margaret Cross, of Machen.
Remembered with Honour
Machen (St. John) Churchyard Extension

 

On this day there were 27 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

ATA

RAF Iraq Levies

RAF 15

RAAF 3

RCAF 4

RIAF 2

RNZAF

SAAF 3

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps

WAAF

WAAAF

WAAF (SAAF)

WAAC
RAAF FATALITIES IN SECOND WORLD WAR AMONG
RAAF PERSONNEL SERVING ON ATTACHMENT
IN ROYAL AIR FORCE SQUADRONS AND SUPPORT UNITS

405614 Flying Officer BOHANE, Brian Joseph †

Source:

AWM 237 (65) NAA : A9300 Barcode 5372704 Commonwealth War Graves records
Aircraft Type:
Serial number:
Radio call sign:
Unit: 607 Sqn RAF

Summary:

On the 17th July 1945, FO Bohane (a Pilot), was killed in a motor accident at Mingaladon
in the Indian area.

He is buried in the Rangoon War Cemetery, Myanmar.



In Memory of
Flying Officer
Brian Joseph Bohane
405614, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 17 July 1945 Age 22
Son of Gerald Butler Bohane and Eileen Bohane, of Brisbane, Queensland; husband of Barbara Mariette
Bohane, of Darjeeling, Bengal, India.
Remembered with Honour
Rangoon War Cemetery

 

On this day there were 76 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

ATA

RAF Iraq Levies

RAF 60

RAAF 3

RCAF 13

RIAF

RNZAF

SAAF

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps

WAAF

WAAAF

WAAF (SAAF)

WAAC
RAAF PERSONNEL SERVING ON ATTACHMENT IN ROYAL AIR FORCE
SQUADRONS AND SUPPORT UNITS IN WORLD WAR 2 AND MISSING WITH
NO KNOWN GRAVE.

400744 Flying Officer WALTERS, George William

Source:

NAA: A705, 166/43/263
Aircraft Type: Defiant
Serial number: AD 651
Radio call sign:
Unit: 515 Sqn RAF

Summary:

Defiant AD 651 of 515 Sqn RAF took off from RAF Station Hunsdon, Hertfordshire on
patrol over the English Channel on 18 July 1943. Nothing further was heard from the
aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Another pilot flying a Mosquito aircraft
observed an aircraft going down in flames into the sea approximately 10 miles away, and
a few minutes later obtained a visual on a Focke-Wolfe 150 aircraft and shot it down. It
was presumed that AD 651 had been shot down by the German aircraft.

Crew:

RAAF 400744 FO Walters, G W (Pilot) †
RAF Flt Sgt Neil, G (Gunner) †

In 1948 it was recorded that the missing crew had lost their lives at sea.


In Memory of
Flying Officer
George William Walters
400744, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 18 July 1943 Age 23
Son of William James Walters and Myrtle Eveleen Walters; husband of Elinor Lindsay Walters, of Coburg,
Victoria, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Runnymede Memorial

In Memory of
Warrant Officer
George Neil
747849, 515 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 18 July 1943 Age 26
Son of Percy and Hilda Neil; husband of Gladys A. Neil, of Ruislip, Middlesex.
Remembered with Honour
Runnymede Memorial

 

On this day there were 231 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

ATA

RAF Iraq Levies 1

RAF 154

RAAF 36

RCAF 33

RIAF

RNZAF 6

SAAF 1

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps

WAAF

WAAAF

WAAF (SAAF)

WAAC
RAAF FATALITIES IN SECOND WORLD WAR AMONG
RAAF PERSONNEL SERVING ON ATTACHMENT
IN ROYAL AIR FORCE SQUADRONS AND SUPPORT UNITS

425454 Flying Officer MOLINAS, Frank Francis DFC

Source:

AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 166/28/358 digitised Commonwealth War Graves records
W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Page 338,
Volume 1944.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster
Serial number: LM 378
Radio call sign: PG – J
Unit: 619 Sqn RAF

Summary:

On the night of 18/19th July 1944, Lancaster LM378 took off from RAF Dunhome Lodge
at 2302 hours, detailed to attack the railway junction at Revigny, France. Nothing was
heard from the aircraft after take off and it failed to return to base.

Crew:

RAAF 422545 FO Molinas, F F DFC Captain (Pilot) †
RAF Sgt J A Nealey, (Flight Engineer) (Evaded)
RAF Flt Sgt A W Habergham, Navigator) †
RAF Flt Sgt L Morgan (Air Bomber (Air Bomber) †
RAF Sgt A E Curtis, (Wireless Air Gunner) †
RAF Sgt R B Cox, (Mid Upper Gunner) †
RAF Sgt M Loosli, (Rear Gunner) †

A Missing Research & Enquiry team later reported : “When outbound, the aircraft was
shot down by a night fighter, and crashed at Montreuil-Aux-Lions (Aisne), France,
some16kmsWSW of Chateau-Thierry.

Six of the crew were killed and Sgt Nealey evaded capture.

Those killed are buried in the
Montreuil-Aux-Lions British cemetery, France.

Citation :

The Citation for the DFC awarded to FO Molinas is as follows :

“ This officer was the Pilot of an aircraft detailed to attack a target in Northern France
one night in July 1944. In the bombing run, the aircraft was attacked by a fighter and
sustained much damage. The port engine was put out of action, several large holes were
torn in one of the wings and the ailerons were damaged. Some of the pilot’s instruments
were shattered, whilst FO Molinas was slightly wounded. In spite of this, he manoeuvred
to a good position from which his gunners were able to engage the enemy aircraft
effectively. Following their good shooting the attacker was seen to turn on its back and
then dive steeply apparently out of control. FO Molinjas then executed a successful
bombing attack and afterwards flew the damaged aircraft back to base.

This officer set an
example of skill, courage and resolution. (London Gazette 29/8/1944,Page 4014).


In Memory of
Flying Officer
Frank Francis Molinas
D F C
425454, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 19 July 1944 Age 23
Son of Charles and Mary Jose Molinas, of Mackay, Queensland, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Montreuil-Aux-Lions British Cemetery

In Memory of
Flight Sergeant Nav.
Arnold William Habergham
1129143, 619 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 19 July 1944 Age 31
Son of William Crowther Habergham and Eleanor Habergham, of Morley, Yorkshire.
Remembered with Honour
Montreuil-Aux-Lions British Cemetery

In Memory of
Flight Sergeant Air Bomber
Leonard Morgan
1396983, 619 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 19 July 1944 Age 23
Son of Daniel and Evelyn Morgan, of Chertsey, Surrey. His brother Alun Milsom Morgan also fell.
Remembered with Honour
Montreuil-Aux-Lions British Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant W. Op. [Air]
Arthur Ernest Curtis
1398725, 619 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 19 July 1944 Age 19
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Ernest Curtis; husband of Iris Mary Curtis, of Calne, Wiltshire.
Remembered with Honour
Montreuil-Aux-Lions British Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant Air Gnr.
Richard Belton Cox
1821808, 619 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 19 July 1944
No NOK Listed
Remembered with Honour
Montreuil-Aux-Lions British Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant Air Gnr.
Max Loosli
1594457, 619 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 19 July 1944
Son of Max and Mary Ann Loosli, of Brixton, London; husband of Stella Maris Loosli.
Remembered with Honour
Montreuil-Aux-Lions British Cemetery

 

On this day there were 56 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

ATA

RAF Iraq Levies 1

RAF 38

RAAF 6

RCAF 7

RIAF

RNZAF 3

SAAF 1

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps

WAAF

WAAAF

WAAF (SAAF)

WAAC
RAAF FATALITIES IN SECOND WORLD WAR AMONG
RAAF PERSONNEL SERVING ON ATTACHMENT
IN ROYAL AIR FORCE SQUADRONS AND SUPPORT UNITS

400760 Sergeant PATON, James Keith

Source:

AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 163/149/217 digitised . Micro Film No 463 OAFH
Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of
the Second World War, Page 153, Volume 1942.
Aircraft Type: Halifax
Serial number: W 1179
Radio call sign: NP – S
Unit: ATTD 158 SQN RAF

Summary:

Halifax W1179 took off from RAF East Moor at 2343 hours on the night of 19/20th July
1942, detailed to bomb Vegesack, Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and
it failed to return to base.

Crew:

RAF PO Skelly, H J Captain (Pilot) †
RAF Sgt D G Jillings, (Flight Engineer) †
RAF Sgt R J Smith, (Navigator) †
RAF Sgt F H G Simkins, (Air Bomber) †
RAAF 400760 Sgt J K Paton, (Wireless Air Gunner) †
RAF Sgt J R Rennie, (Mid Gunner) †
RCAF Flt Sgt W McI McLachlin, (Rear Gunner) †

The aircraft crashed into the Waddensee between the mainland and Terschelling.

All the crew were killed.

PO Skelly and Sgt Paton are buried in the Harlingen General Cemetery, Netherlands.

Sgt Smith is buried in the Texel (Den Burg) Cemetery, Netherlands.

Sgt Simkins has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Memorial to the
Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK.

Sgt Rennie is buried in the Franeker General Cemetery, Netherlands.

Sgt Jillings is buried in the Terschelling (West-Terschelling) General Cemetery, Netherlands.

Flt Sgt McLachlin is buried in the Het Bildt (St. Jacobiparoche) General Cemetery, Netherlands.




In Memory of
Pilot Officer Pilot
Horace James Skelly
108003, 158 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 20 July 1942 Age 20
Son of Horace Vincent Skelly, and of Charlotte Louisa Skelly, of Upper Holloway, London.
Remembered with Honour
Harlingen General Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant Flt. Engr.
Douglas George Jillings
902606, 158 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 20 July 1942 Age 24
Son of Benjamin Branford Jillings, and of Dora Lucy Jillings, of Finchley, Middlesex. His brother, John
Albert, also died on service.
Remembered with Honour
Terschelling (West-Terschelling) General Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant Obs.
Roland Jack Smith
1225704, 158 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 20 July 1942 Age 28
Son of John James Smith and Floris Smith; husband of Hilda Joyce Smith, of Hatfield, Hertfordshire.
Remembered with Honour
Texel (Den Burg) Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant
Frederick Henry George Simkins
927095, 158 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 20 July 1942 Age 32
Husband of Miriam Rosalie Simkins, of Hanslope, Buckinghamshire.
Remembered with Honour
Runnymede Memorial

In Memory of
Sergeant
James Keith Paton
400760, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 20 July 1942 Age 34
Son of James Louis and Margaret Ann Paton; husband of Blanche Evelyn Paton, of Boisdale, Victoria,
Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Harlingen General Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant W.Op./Air Gnr.
John Robertson Rennie
1057117, 158 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 20 July 1942 Age 22
Son of John Robertson Rennie and Margaret Russell Rennie, of Tullibody, Clackmannanshire.
Remembered with Honour
Franeker General Cemetery

In Memory of
Flight Sergeant Air Gnr.
William Mcintyre McLachlin
R/53905, 158 (R.A.F.) Sqdn, Royal Canadian Air Force
who died on 20 July 1942 Age 20
Son of Russell A. and Janet E. McLachlin, of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Remembered with Honour
Het Bildt (St. Jacobiparochie) General Cemetery

 

34 Sqd SAAF Liberator B MkVI EW165 'F' - 28/29 August 1944
28/29 August 1944 A/c EW165 'F' on mining mission near Belgrade - shot down by night fighter and crashed in Hungary


Crew: Capt JF Munro, Lt P St J Alexander, Lt RDM van der Spuy & WOI PA Creux - all SAAF + Sgt WH Grice & Sgt BE Lever both RAF(VR)


All buried Budapest War Cemetery

At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them

'Bill Grice was my Dad's best pal and part of a scratch crew for this op!!!

PZULBA Out of Africa (Retired)

 

On this day there were 54 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

ATA 1

RAF Iraq Levies

RAF 31

RAAF 6

RCAF 13

RIAF

RNZAF 1

SAAF 1

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps

WAAF 1

WAAAF

WAAF (SAAF)

WAAC

RAAF FATALITIES IN SECOND WORLD WAR AMONG
RAAF PERSONNEL SERVING ON ATTACHMENT
IN ROYAL AIR FORCE SQUADRONS AND SUPPORT UNITS

407721 Sergeant MARSHMAN, John Kenneth

Source :

AWM 237 (65) NAA : A9301 Barcode 5541201 Micro Film 463 OAFH
Commonwealth War Graves records W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of
the Second World War, Page153, Volume 1942
Aircraft Type: Lancaster
Serial number: R 5576
Radio call sign: ZN -
Unit: ATTD 106 SQN RAF

Summary:

Lancaster took off from RAF Coningsby on the 21st July 1942, detailed to carry out
practice bombing sortie. It crashed almost immediately after take off due to failure of the
port inner engine. Eye witnesses stated that the aircraft climbed slowly to about 200 feet,
before stalling and crashing near the airfield. All ten on board were killed.

Crew :

RCAF PO Carlyle, W B Captain (Pilot) †
RCAF PO Hanna, G R (Observer) †
RAF Sgt A M Blyth, (Wireless Air Gunner) †
RAAF 407721 Sgt J K Marshman, (Pilot) †
RAF Sgt R M Mathieson, (Air Gunner) †
RCAF Flt Sgt A G Gibson, (Air Gunner) †
RCAF Flt Sgt J E S Walker, (Air Gunner) †
RAF Sgt J Teevin, (Wireless Air Gunner) †
RAF LAC H R Forster †
RAF AC1 G E Smith †

PO Carlyle, PO Hanna, Sgt Marshman, Sgt Mathieson, Flt Sgt Gibson and Flt Sgt Walker
are buried in the Coningsby Cemetery, Lincolnshire, UK. Coningsby is 7 miles south
west of Horncastle.

Sgt Blyth is buried in the Twickenham Cemetery, Middlesex, UK.

Sgt Teevin is buried in the Kirkcaldy (Dysart) Cemetery, Fifeshire, UK.

LAC Forster is buried in the Walkley (St Mary) Chuchyard Cemetery, Yorkshire, UK.

AC1 Smith is buried in the Southborough Cemetery, Kent, UK.

.jpg]

In Memory of
Pilot Officer Pilot
Walter Beattie Carlyle
J/9143, 106 (R.A.F.) Sqdn, Royal Canadian Air Force
who died on 21 July 1942 Age 27
Son of J. W. Carlyle and Agnes Carlyle, of Sutherland, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Remembered with Honour
Coningsby Cemetery

In Memory of
Pilot Officer Air Obs.
George Robert Hanna
J/8615, 106 (R.A.F.) Sqdn, Royal Canadian Air Force
who died on 21 July 1942 Age 28
Son of Campbell and Ruth Ella Hanna, of Fort William, Ontario, Canada. B.S.A.
Remembered with Honour
Coningsby Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant W.Op./Air Gnr.
Alfred Maurice (Bob) Blyth
1285751, 106 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 21 July 1942 Age 20
Son of John Henry and Mable Matilda Blyth, of st. Margarets, Twickenham.
Remembered with Honour
Twickenham Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant
John Kenneth Marshman
407721, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 21 July 1942 Age 22
Son of Benjamin Kenneth and Marjorie Hettie Marshman, of Toorak Gardens, South Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Coningsby Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant Air Gnr.
Robert Muir Mathieson
628213, 106 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
who died on 21 July 1942 Age 21
Son of Donald Sutherland Mathieson and Williamina Muir Mathieson, of St. Margaret's Hope, South
Ronaldshay, Orkney.
Remembered with Honour
Coningsby Cemetery

In Memory of
Flight Sergeant Air Gnr.
Albert Graham Gibson
R/70724, 106 (R.A.F.) Sqdn, Royal Canadian Air Force
who died on 21 July 1942 Age 26
Son of Joseph Graham Gibson and Annie Gibson, of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Remembered with Honour
Coningsby Cemetery

In Memory of
Flight Sergeant Air Gnr.
John Edward Stuart Walker
R/77410, 106 (R.A.F.) Sqdn, Royal Canadian Air Force
who died on 21 July 1942
Son of J. Stuart Walker and Stella Walker, of Quebec City, Canada; husband of Joan E. S. Walker, of
Battersea, London.
Remembered with Honour
Coningsby Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant W.Op./Air Gnr.
John Teevin
1123156, 106 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 21 July 1942 Age 19
Son of Daniel and Martha Sillars Teevin, of Kirkcaldy.
Remembered with Honour
Kirkcaldy (Dysart) Cemetery

In Memory of
Leading Aircraftman
Herbert Roy Forster
577519, 106 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
who died on 21 July 1942 Age 18
Son of Charles Herbert and Agnes Forster, of Sheffield.
Remembered with Honour
Walkley (St. Mary) Church Cemetery

In Memory of
Aircraftman 1st Class
George Edward Smith
1270159, 106 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 21 July 1942 Age 30
Son of George and Beatrice Smith; husband of Marjorie Smith, of Grangetown, Cardiff.
Remembered with Honour
Southborough Cemetery