A picture I recenty took regarding a memorial to two men who served with 422 Squadron who lost their lives almost 67 years ago. Does anyone have any further information on what happned that day. Its a stone memorial that has always intrigued me.
the 2 chaps below Pilot Officer LESLIE ARTHUR HEBENTON J/88403, 422 Sqdn., Royal Canadian Air Force who died age 20 on 20 February 1944 Son of Arthur and Margaret Hebenton, of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Remembered with honour IRVINESTOWN CHURCH OF IRELAND CHURCHYARD Sergeant REGINALD WILLIAM BODSWORTH 1433913, 422 (R.C.A.F.) Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve who died age 29 on 21 February 1944 Son of William Robert Hugh and Lottie Bodsworth, of Northampton; husband of Gertrude Bodsworth, of Northampton. Remembered with honour NORTHAMPTON (KINGSTHORPE) CEMETERY
19/02/44 F/O A Tomlinson RCAF (inj) F/O I F Dotwiller RCAF (inj) F/Sgt B F Jones (inj) Sgt S Ford Sgt S B Irving Sgt T H Chappel (inj) Sgt R W Bodsworth (died of wounds) Sgt J S Eadie (inj) Sgt G S Fleming RCAF (inj) Sgt A L Hebenton RCAF (+) Lost outer wing while evading attack during fighter affiliation and crashed near St. Angelo, Fermanagh at 12:50 hrs. Sgt Bobsworth later died from his wounds.
The Sunderland was undertaking a fighter affiliation exercise with a Beaufighter from 235 Squadron , a detachment from 235 had been moved to St. Angelo to provide cover for convoys off the West of Ireland which had increasingly come under attack from Ju-290's and DO-217s. On this particular day the Sunderland and Beaufighter were flying low and fast , he was flying from the general direction of the NE roughly along the line of the road/airfield. Trying to avoid the small hill she crashed, cutting across the small road which leads down to the Lough shore / Devinish ferry and crashing in the field behind the memorial. The wing of the aircraft brought down telephone lines , that was how low she was. A local man James Lunny was awarded a bravery medal for helping get the injured out of the aircraft which was broken up and on fire. The court of enquiry and subsquenty diciplinary hearing was hard on the Sunderland's Captain but it is likely that of those judging few had not done similar and been lucky to get away with it. I don't feel it is my place to be critical. Both crew members are buried in Irvinestown Church of Ireland , one died at the scene the other the next day in the Militray hospital located at Necarne just outside Irvinestown . Although badly injured Syd recovered from his wounds - in the late 1980's and early 90's he returned here several times and became well known locally. A small memorial tablet has since been errected at the scene of the crash. A memorial stone to Syd which was errected to him at CA by his friend Mr Gary Pentland of Gortin. (Attached). His home beacme a home from home for Syd. Behind Syd is another 422 man , Bill Parker- Bill settled in Kesh after the war , Bill has also passed away - a park bench with a memorial plate to him is located on the entrance to the marina at Castle Archdale looking out towards the landing area - always a welcome stop when walking round the site. In the crew photograph Hebenton ( "Hebbie") is 3rd from left in the back row , Syd Irving is extreme right in the back row. I have a photo of the wrecked aircraft if you can bear with em... will look it out. The cocker is not Barney, (Andy's dog) - "Straddle" mascot of 422 , Hebenton's dog he has his own id disc and logbook. Hebenton's grave in Irvinestown C of I churchyard. The wreckage of the Sunderland.
James, A very informative post with good photographs. Is the photo with the dog by the turret, the mid upper on the Sunderland? Excellent post as usual. Regards Tom
Cheers RAFCommands, CL1 and James. That is one remarkable sequence of events. Yet again I have been constructively educated and informed. I've been down to CA twice this year and noticed the memorial stone has been pushed over slighty. Reported it to the site office but it has not been fixed yet. When I inspected it, I feel there is no sinister motive behind it as I think the stone has just been accidently been pushed by a grass cutting machine as there has been alot of grass and tree cutting going on this year. I've said to the wife if its still in that state by Easter I'll fix it myself. Here a wee picture taken last autumn. A very fitting tribute to this gentleman.
Behind Syd is another 422 man , Bill Parker- Bill settled in Kesh after the war , Bill has also passed away - a park bench with a memorial plate to him is located on the entrance to the marina at Castle Archdale looking out towards the landing area - always a welcome stop when walking round the site.
Aaran , nice photos ,in fact lovely photos , my "Hogg loves to jump in here, off the rocks. YouTube - Boss Hogg . I should really have kept my mouth shut !!
Aaran , nice photos ,in fact lovely photos , my "Hogg loves to jump in here, off the rocks. YouTube - Boss Hogg . I should really have kept my mouth shut !! Does Boss Hogg drink Red Bull !!! Priceless. To have used those exact words down at the knee breakers club with Uncle Andy and Big Mervyn in your presence would not be so good Great clip. Great weather.
Aaran , she has the knack of going before the stick is thrown - heading for what she believes is the "landing area", smarter than "Da, cal , Andy and Mervyn" put together.
