218 Squadron - 1941

Discussion in 'General' started by Mark.Ballett, Jun 4, 2010.

  1. Mark.Ballett

    Mark.Ballett Junior Member

    Hi there, I am new to this site, and I am trying to find out any info on a Radio Operator named Sgt James Douglas Pugh, who was lost on 11/10/1941.

    Does anybody know where I can get any info either about my great Uncle Jim or anything about any possible missions undertaken by 218 Squadron around the time of 11/10/1941.

    Thank you for taking the time to read this.

    regards

    Mark.
     
  2. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hi Mark and welcome to the forum. I'm sure some of the RAF chaps can answer you Q's.

    Andy
     
  3. KevinBattle

    KevinBattle Senior Member

    Name: PUGH, JAMES DOUGLAS
    Initials: J D
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Sergeant
    Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
    Unit Text: 218 Sqdn.
    Age: 21
    Date of Death: 11/10/1941
    Service No: 926529
    Additional information: Son of Samuel Henry and Emily Constance Pugh, of Bredons Norton, Worcestershire.
    Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
    Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 50.
    Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

    His Wellington 1c X9677 coded HA-V was known to have crashed into the sea off St Albans Head. Despite a search which turned up wreckage, none of the crew were found, and are commemorated at Runnymede.
     
  4. nicks

    nicks Very Senior Member

    Hi Mark and welcome to the forum.

    10-11 Oct 1941

    218 Sqn Wellington Ic X9677 HA-V Op: Bordeaux

    Sgt McLean
    Sgt Honeyman
    Sgt J D Pugh +
    Sgt R W Stephenson +
    Sgt Bensted
    Sgt E W Ireland +

    T/o 2151 Marham. Came down in the sea off St. Alban's Head on the Dorset coast. An extensive search was conducted by the St. Ives lifeboat during which some wreckage was found. This is reported as part of a wing, camouflaged black and blue and a wheel. At least three are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial; the remainder are assumed to have been saved.
    BCL 1941 Vol 2 W R Chorley
     
  5. DaveB

    DaveB Very Senior Member

    Not a lot to offer here - (already answered better by others)

    There were three RAF casualties from 218SQN on that date. (I hope this link works) - Geoff's Search Engine

    Pugh & Ireland are commemorated on the Runnymede memorial and Judge is buried in France (Bordeaux).

    Judge isn't on the aircrew list for the Wellington crash so he must have died seperately.

    Stephenson doesn't come up - I wonder what nationality he was?

    cheers


    Dave
     
  6. KevinBattle

    KevinBattle Senior Member

    Name: STEPHENSON, ROBERT WORRALL
    Initials: R W
    Nationality: Australian
    Rank: Sergeant
    Regiment/Service: Royal Australian Air Force
    Age: 20
    Date of Death: 11/10/1941
    Service No: 404418
    Additional information: Son of Percy John Worrall Stephenson and Grace Isabel Stephenson, of Gympie, Queensland, Australia.
    Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
    Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 63.
    Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

    There was a PS Bensted who was killed in 1940 and also one other:-
    Name: BENSTED, BASIL GODFREY
    Initials: B G
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Flight Lieutenant (Pilot) (Mosquito)
    Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
    Unit Text: 605 Sqdn.
    Date of Death: 02/10/1944
    Service No: 127342
    Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
    Grave/Memorial Reference: 4. G. 20.
    Cemetery: KIEL WAR CEMETERY;

    and

    Name: HONEYMAN, WILLIAM MURRAY
    Initials: W M
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Squadron Leader
    Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
    Age: 35
    Date of Death: 24/11/1946
    Service No: 73601
    Additional information: Son of Alexander and Euphemia Murray Honeyman, of Cupar. M.B., Ch.B. (St. Andrews), M.R.C.P. (Lond.).
    Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
    Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. D. Grave 105.
    Cemetery: CUPAR NEW CEMETERY

    which I hope aren't the ones mentioned as being part of the crew, but their Names do not appear to be listed in any other bomber losses, which I would have expected if they survived this crash.... Any reference in 218 ORB or War Diary?
     
  7. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    This is the panel for Stephenson.

    panel 63.jpg

    Cheers

    Geoff
     
  8. DaveB

    DaveB Very Senior Member

    Bizarrely enough, I didn’t even think to check to see if Stephenson was an Aussie. Now that we know he is, it opens up a whole new source of information.

    If you go to the NAA site (http://www.naa.gov.au) and use the service number for Stephenson - 404418 - (Record Search / Search as Guest) you will see that there are two files for SGT Stephenson, a personnel file and a casualty file - both of which have been digitized and can be read on-line.

    Go to the casualty file and start with the highest numbered folio (34) – it shows the names of the crew, plus their known fates. It even gives the reason for the ditching of the aircraft into the sea…..





    Summary heading

    STEPHENSON Robert Worrall - (Sergeant); Service Number - 404418 RAAF

    Descriptive note

    In addition to the file subject, the following servicemen are mentioned in this record:

    BENSTED, Lionel Maurice – (Sergeant); Service Number – 404428 RAAF (KIA 10JUN42 - info from World War Two Nominal Roll)
    HONEYMAN, Archibald Cowen – (Sergeant); Service Number – 404549 RAAF (KIA 10JUN42 - info from www.ww2roll.gov.au)
    McLEAN, Allan Maxwell – (Sergeant); Service Number – 402387 RAAF (KIA 10JUN42 15OTU - info from www.ww2roll.gov.au)

    PUGH J B – (Sergeant); Service Number – 966529 RAF
    IRELAND E W – (Sergeant); Service Number – 902411 RAF


    FWIW - the three RAAF aircrew that survived this crash all perished together in the crash of Wellington BB514 in Ghafargaon, Dacca, India on 10Jun1942
     
    nicks likes this.
  9. nicks

    nicks Very Senior Member

    Thanks for posting Dave, there's a lot of good information in the file regarding the aircraft's last flight.

    It does rile me that I would have to pay £30 to acquire such inforamtion here, yet I can look at similar files on the otherside of the world for free.:(
     
  10. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    Bensted, Honeyman & McLean are listed on the Singapore Memorial.

    columns 421 and 422 (1 of 2).JPG

    columns 421 and 422 (2 of 2).JPG

    Cheers

    Geoff
     
  11. Mark.Ballett

    Mark.Ballett Junior Member

    Thanks to all who have responded - you truly are a great bunch of chaps. There is a lot of great information to share around the family.

    Cheers
    Mark
     
  12. LinnetW

    LinnetW Junior Member

    Hi Mark, I have been searching for information on my cousin Robert Stephenson who died in the same aircraft crash as yours. I now know thanks to the very knowledgeable and nice members all of Roberts service records and where he is commemorated and a photo as well.
    Regards,
    LinnetW
     
  13. LinnetW

    LinnetW Junior Member

    Further to my cousin Robert Worrall Stephensons story. His sister has died and his service articles, badges, photos etc and log book are now in my possession as the nearest relative.Surprisingly his medals had not been given or applied for. Application for the medals by his sister had been made but then she died and I applied as the closest relative. After deliberations I was granted the medals and the Bar. I also have his father Percys medals. Also Uncle Norman Wickhams medals.I had them mounted on bars and I am so proud of them. I will attend the Dawn Service atop of Grassy Hill here in Cooktown next year. Question. I wear them on the right but how do I wear them? From the top the 2 Uncles WW1 and then 3rd Robert WW2. ?? Should one row be clear of the next row etc.etc etc. Don't want the local RSL boys to call me out and point out where I have gone wrong... Not really - they are OK but I do want to be correct on the day. Look forward to a reply.
    Regards,
    LinnetW
     
    Peter Clare likes this.
  14. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    Hi Linnet,
    If you are not wanting to ask "the locals", I would suggest you phone your state RSL head office and ask them the for the information.
    Contact Us | RSL Queensland
     
  15. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    I have completed loss details mentioned in this thread as they both have Australians as part of the crew.

    RAAF PERSONNEL SERVING ON ATTACHMENT IN ROYAL AIR FORCE

    SQUADRONS AND SUPPORT UNITS IN WORLD WAR 2 AND MISSING WITH

    NO KNOWN GRAVE.

    Source:

    NAA : A705, 163/163/242

    Aircraft Type: Wellington

    Serial number: X 9677

    Radio call sign: HA-V

    Unit: 218 Sqn RAF

    Op: Bordeaux

    Summary:

    Wellington X 9677 of No 218 (Gold Coast) Sqn RAF was returning from an operational

    mission on 11 October 1941, when due to a petrol shortage it was force landed into the

    sea near St Albans Head, Hampshire.

    Crew:

    RAAF 404428 Sgt Bensted, Lionel Maurice (Slightly Injured)

    RAAF 404549 Sgt Honeyman, Archibald Cowen (Slightly Injured)

    RAAF 402387 Sgt McLean, Alan Maxwell (Slightly Injured)

    RAAF 404418 Sgt Stephenson, Robert Worrall (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) (Killed)

    RAF 926529 Sgt Pugh, James Douglas (Killed)

    RAF 902411 Sgt Ireland, Eric William (Killed)

    Sgts Bensted, Honeyman and McLean were all slightly injured, but Sgt Stephenson, Sgt Pugh and Sgt Ireland drowned and are commemorated on the Air Forces Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK.

    Sadly, the three survivors would be killed in India along with the rest of their six man Wellington crew on 10th June 1942.

    RAAF 404418 Sgt Stephenson, Robert Worrall (Wireless Operator Air Gunner)
    Aged 20, Son of Percy John Worrall Stephenson and Grace Isabel Stephenson, of Gympie, Queensland, Australia.

    RAF 926529 Sgt Pugh, James Douglas
    Aged 21, Son of Samuel Henry and Emily Constance Pugh, of Bredons Norton, Worcestershire.

    RAF 902411 Sgt Ireland, Eric William
    Aged 27, Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Ireland, of Hunstanton, Norfolk.

    Stephenson_RW.jpg Pugh_JD.jpg Ireland_EW.jpg
     
  16. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    RAAF PERSONNEL SERVING ON ATTACHMENT IN ROYAL AIR FORCE

    SQUADRONS AND SUPPORT UNITS IN WORLD WAR 2 AND MISSING WITH

    NO KNOWN GRAVE.

    Source:

    NAA: A705, 163/118/367

    Aircraft Type: Wellington

    Serial number:

    Radio call sign:

    Unit: 215 Sqn RAF

    Summary:

    A Wellington of 215 Sqn RAF on an operational flight on 10 June 1942, was destroyed
    by an explosion 4 miles south east of Gaffargaon Upazila, Bangladesh

    Crew:

    RAAF 402387 Sgt McLean, Alan Maxwell (Pilot) (Killed)

    RAAF 404549 Sgt Honeyman, Archibald Cowen (2nd Pilot) (Killed)

    RAAF 400321 PO Gregory, Ross Gerald (Observer) (Killed)

    RAAF 4044428 Sgt Bensted, Lionel Morris M (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) (Killed)

    RAF 946109 Sgt Hill, George W (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) (Killed)

    RAF 1377586 Sgt Fuller, Bert Lawrence George (Air Gunner) (Killed)



    It was reported that the remains of PO Gregory and other crew members were buried with

    full military honours by Police in three graves, with further remains buried in one grave.

    All graves were subsequently covered by flood waters and no marking or removal of

    remains to cemetery was impossible due to remoteness of location.

    In a 1948 report it was stated that after searching no trace of the graves could be found,

    and the remains could not be located for transfer to a British Military cemetery.

    Chafaagoan which is 52 miles north of Dacca, is in a remote locality and subject to

    flooding from the Brahmaputra river.



    RAAF 402387 Sgt McLean, Alan Maxwell (Pilot)
    Aged 23, Son of John Donald and Ruby Frances McLean, of Hamilton Heights, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

    RAAF 404549 Sgt Honeyman, Archibald Cowen (2nd Pilot)
    Aged 27, Son of Archibald and Lilian Mary Honeyman. Born Deepwater, New South Wales. Listed NOK Naela Honeyman.

    RAAF 400321 PO Gregory, Ross Gerald (Observer) Aged 26, Son of Arthur Gerald St. John Gregory and Olive Annie Gregory, of Caulfield, Victoria, Australia. Played for Australia Cricket team.

    Ross Gregory

    The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (400321) Pilot Officer Gerald Ross Gregory, No. 215 Squadron, RAF World War

    Ross Gregory - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    RAAF 4044428 Sgt Bensted, Lionel Morris M (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner)
    Aged 28, Son of William Henry and Ilma Martha Bensted, of Greenslopes, Queensland, Australia.

    RAF 946109 Sgt Hill, George W (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner)
    Aged 28, Son of Arthur and Mary Elizabeth Hill, of Hightown, Hednesford, Staffordshire.

    RAF 1377586 Sgt Fuller, Bert Lawrence George (Air Gunner)
    Aged 31, Son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Fuller, of Fulham, London; husband of Frances Fuller, of Tipperary, Irish Republic.

    Gregory_Gerald Ross Photo.jpg

    Gregory is Back Right Gregory_Gerald Ross Back Right (Small).png
     
  17. Steve C Smith

    Steve C Smith Member

    Hi, I am the 218 Squadron Historian and archivist. Currently working on my fourth book on the exploits of the squadron. Recently obtained the AIR81 Casualty File on this loss. Happy to share with you, and other family members.
     
  18. Steve C Smith

    Steve C Smith Member

    Hi, I am the 218 Squadron Historian and archivist. Currently working on my fourth book on the exploits of the squadron. Recently obtained the AIR81 Casualty File on this loss. Happy to share with you, and other family members.
     

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