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.
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.
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
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
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?
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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.
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 is Back Right
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.
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.