Hi Flying officer William Kirkham was my great uncle. His aircraft was Stirling LJ883 (V8-K) I am hoping somebody will have some photos that my family don't already have. Thanks
KIRKHAM, WILLIAM Rank:Flying OfficerService No:174309Date of Death:23/09/1944Age:21Regiment/Service:Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 570 Sqdn. Grave Reference: 4. A. 17. Cemetery:ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERYAdditional Information:Son of William and Leah Kirkham, of Birmingham; husband of Violet Daisy Kirkham, of Sheldon, Birmingham. Download Certificate
yeh I found that yesterday I have been to the memorial before. I am just hoping to find out more information and maybe photos x
There's quite a bit of information and some photos about the crash of this aircraft in the books "Green On" by Arie-Jan Van Hees and "RAF at Arnhem". From the crew only RASC Despatcher, Driver S Badham and Tail Gunner, Flight Sergeant George Wood survived the crash. Wood was assisted to reach allied lines, with important information about Rotterdam defences strapped to his ankle, on 7th October and Balham crossed the Rhine with 137 other evaders on Operation Pegasus on 23rd October. I understand that George Wood became Godfather to "Billy" Kirkham's child in December that year.
fallen8905, It is very hard to find info about 570 Squadron especially at TNA with the squadron's appendices are 'WANTING'. Here are some articles about Bill Eames from 570, he may have photographs of members of the Squadron. You could get in touch with any of these institutions to get in touch with Eames.. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-27710295 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/dday-at-70-war-hero-bill-eames-on-his-part-in-the-normandy-landings-30332893.html http://fermanaghherald.com/2013/07/enniskillen-d-day-veteran-recalls-his-raf-career/ Do get in touch with RAF Hendon's archive section they must have photographs of the squadron. Best of luck brithm
23 September 1944 570 Squadron Stirling IV LJ883 The aircrafts crew had just finished dropping its load and was down to 500 feet when it was struck by AA fire and a serious fire started in the port wing. The aircraft continued to descend and struck the ground (Planken Wambuis, Ede) causing the rear turret to break off and probably saving the gunners life in the process because only he and a dispatcher survived. F/O. William Kirkham 21 Pilot + F/O. Morris Hand 26 Wireless Operator + F/O. David Henry Atkinson 23 Bomb Aimer + F/O. Ernest Charles Brown 20 Navigator + Sgt. Harold Ashton 22 Flight Engineer + L/Cpl. Gerard Reardon 31 - 253 (Airborne) Composite Coy RASC + Source - Though Without Anger - C. Cummings