44 Sqdn ORB's, Sgt Hulbert crew

I am looking after the 44 Sqdn ORB's especially for the Sgt Hulbert crew(Lancaster ED307). Aircraft crashed near Nuenen in Holland in the night 28/29 June 1943(Cologne raid). Found out that ED307 was assigned first at 9 Sqdn but also with this crew??

Also I am looking for to get in touch with the relatives of Sgt J.A.Sykes(Nav), Sgt A.Tooth(Nav),Sgt T.R.Jones(Wop), Sgt D.M.Lewis(FE) and Sgt G.A.Denney(airgunner).

Thanks for looking,
Adrian

 

Adrian,
Answered on your RAF Commands thread.....
Alan.

 

If anyone does have the 44Sqn ORB's id be interested in a few look up's as three of my local men where casualties with 44 Sqn.

Name: DENNETT, THOMAS ARTHUR
Initials: T A
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Sergeant (Air Bomber)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 44 Sqdn.
Age: 23
Date of Death: 23/10/1944
Service No: 1549174
Additional information: Son of David and Martha Dennett, of Cronton, Lancashire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: 4. B. 8.
Cemetery: BERGEN-OP-ZOOM WAR CEMETERY

Name: ROGERS, JOSEPH
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Flight Sergeant (W.Op./Air Gnr.)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force
Unit Text: 44 Sqdn.
Date of Death: 09/05/1942
Service No: 614388
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: 8. A. 3.
Cemetery: BERLIN 1939-1945 WAR CEMETERY

Name: HOUGH, WILLIAM JOHN
Initials: W J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Flying Officer
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 44 (Rhodesia) Sqdn
Age: 29
Date of Death: 16/07/1944
Service No: 135510
Additional information: Son of Alfred and Minnie Hough; husband of Josephine Hough, of Widnes, Lancashire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 207.
Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

 

Hi Adrian,

Because there was an RAAF lad on board, I have this information which correlates with yours except in their status on the aircraft!

This gives a full list of the crew.

RAAF FATALITIES IN SECOND WORLD WAR AMONG
RAAF PERSONNEL SERVING ON ATTACHMENT
IN ROYAL AIR FORCE SQUADRONS AND SUPPORT UNITS
425298 Flight Sergeant GALLIGAN, Patrick James
Source:
AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 166/15/74 Commonwealth War Graves records
W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Page 214,
Volume 1943
Aircraft Type: Lancaster
Serial number: ED 307
Radio call sign: KM - R
Unit: ATTD 44 SQN RAF
Summary:
Lancaster ED307 took off from RAF Dunholme Lodge at 2317 hours on the night of
28/29th June 1943 detailed to attack Cologne, Germany. The aircraft was shot down by a
night fighter and crashed at 0254 hours at Nuenen (Noord Brabant), 6 miles north east
from the centre of Eindhoven. All the crew were killed.
Crew:
RAF Sgt C V L Hulbert, Captain (Pilot)
RAF Sgt D M Lewis, (Flight Engineer)
RAF Sgt A Tooth, (Navigator)
RAF Sgt J A Sykes, (Air Bomber)
RAF Sgt T R Jones, (Wireless Air Gunner)
RAF Sgt G A Denney, (Mid Upper Gunner)
RAAF 425298 Flt Sgt P J Galligan (Rear Gunner)
All the crew are buried in the Eindhoven (Woensel) General Cemetery. Locality Noord-
Brabant, Netherlands.

Cheers

Geoff

 

First of all many Thanks Alan and Spidge for your contribution on my thread. Thought that ED307 have two Navs(Sykes and Tooth) and Galligan was listed as a Bombaimer. Don't know what the source was for this but thanks for your correction in this list. Only Denny is Denney according to the files of the Nat.Austr.War.Mem.archives. We expected Galligans relatives in Nuenen in September.

Regards,
Adrian

 

Adrian,

I have edited my copy to Denney however cannot alter the original PDF.

The circular for Galligan is incorrect at AWM attached.



Keep us informed of your progress.

Cheers

Geoff

 

Good Morning guys.

If I could also ask regarding 44Sqn please.

On the evening of 26/27 April 1944, 44 Squadron along with 5 group were detailed to attack Schweinfut, a Lancaster in which 1481880 (Canadian) F/S Kenneth Law Sumner (BA) was hit by flak over or in the vicinity of Strasbourg on the outward leg of the journey. Around 250 miles from the target. The shell burst caused considerable damage to the aircraft mainly the bomb bay and Bomb Aimer's compartment. Sgt Sumner was wounded in the hand, arm plus a broken finger. Awarded the DFM.

Does anyone have the 44Sqn ORBS for this date I wonder which Lancaster he serve on? Or that can help further with the ORBS

 

Lancaster ME628, "H"

P/O O.P.F. Taylor
Sgt J.B. Aherne.
Sgt J.H. Bushby.
F/Sgt J.V. Sumner.
Sgt H.N. Stauber.
F/Sgt A.J. Astle.
Sgt H.J. Conquest.

Landed at Wittering on return.
Previous ops........
Munich, 24/04.
Brunswick, 22/04.
La Chapelle, 20/04.
Juvisy, 18/04.
Posted in to 44sqdn, 29/03.

Alan

 

Lancaster ME628, "H"

P/O O.P.F. Taylor
Sgt J.B. Aherne.
Sgt J.H. Bushby.
F/Sgt J.V. Sumner.
Sgt H.N. Stauber.
F/Sgt A.J. Astle.
Sgt H.J. Conquest.

Landed at Wittering on return.
Previous ops........
Munich, 24/04.
Brunswick, 22/04.
La Chapelle, 20/04.
Juvisy, 18/04.
Posted in to 44sqdn, 29/03.

Alan


Thank you Alan,

Does the ORBS list any previous ops other than the ones you posted please?

Regards
Scott

 

Scott,
No other ops, they were posted in on 29th March, and their first op was 18th April to Juvisy.
Alan

 

Scott,
No other ops, they were posted in on 29th March, and their first op was 18th April to Juvisy.
Alan


Interesting that Alan thank you,

Does it state which unit they left before joining 44Sqn on the 29th March? I would guess it would be another bomber Sqn or converstion unit??

His DFM recommendation mentions 7 x trips to Berlin & 2 x Frankfurt.

Regards
Scott

 

Scott,
Apologies. Because the March ORB only gives Officer postings, i made a classic error of assuming that he came in with Taylor, the pilot. This is not so, and i've gone further back through the ORB and found him with several different crews for the following ops
15th March 44, Stuttgart
15th Feb, Berlin.
23rd Dec 43, Berlin.
20th Dec 43, Frankfurt.
2nd Dec 43, Berlin.
26th Nov 43, Berlin.
23rd Nov 43, Berlin.
22nd Nov 43, Berlin.
Thats it for 44sqdn ops flown by him, but good news is that he was posted in to 44sqdn on 18th Nov 43 from 83sqdn, and i also have that ORB. So if you want any ops flown by him with that squadron, please ask. Quite busy over the next couple of days, but will get on to it as soon as possible.
Alan.

 

Scott,
Apologies. Because the March ORB only gives Officer postings, i made a classic error of assuming that he came in with Taylor, the pilot. This is not so, and i've gone further back through the ORB and found him with several different crews for the following ops
15th March 44, Stuttgart
15th Feb, Berlin.
23rd Dec 43, Berlin.
20th Dec 43, Frankfurt.
2nd Dec 43, Berlin.
26th Nov 43, Berlin.
23rd Nov 43, Berlin.
22nd Nov 43, Berlin.
Thats it for 44sqdn ops flown by him, but good news is that he was posted in to 44sqdn on 18th Nov 43 from 83sqdn, and i also have that ORB. So if you want any ops flown by him with that squadron, please ask. Quite busy over the next couple of days, but will get on to it as soon as possible.
Alan.

Thank you Alan,

That is great news, yes please check for his 83 Sqn Ops. The 4x trips to Berlin in just 10 days..

Are you able to send copys by email of the ORBS?

Regards
Scott

 

They should be downloadable from the National Archives for £3.50

 

Scott,
I will have a look through the 83sqdn ORB within the next couple of days, whatever i find, i'll put with the 44sqdn ops and email them off to you.

 

Scott,
I will have a look through the 83sqdn ORB within the next couple of days, whatever i find, i'll put with the 44sqdn ops and email them off to you.


That's fine Alan, thanks again.

Scott

 

I realise this thread was started sometime ago but if there is still interest in K L Sumner DFM please let me know as he is my Grandfather and I can ask him in person!

 

Do you have his DFM details? I can type them up for you if you don't

 

Post #8 appears to show a F/SGT J N Sumner in response to the enquiry for KL Sumner...
This website http://rcafassociation.ca/uploads/airforce/2009/07/canrafs-z.html provides some details about K L Sumners award:-

SUMNER, Flight Sergeant Kenneth Law (1481880) - Distinguished Flying Medal - No.44 Squadron - awarded as per London Gazette dated 26 May 1944. Born in Saskatchewan, 1923; in Britain at least as early as 1938; RAF, 1941 as Air Bomber. Air Ministry Bulletin 14068/AL.822 refers. AFRO 1380/44 dated 30 June 1944 (announcing award) identified him as a Canadian in the RAF.

This airman has taken part in a large number of successful sorties including seven attacks on Berlin. In April 1944 he was the bomb aimer in an aircraft detailed to attack Schweinfurt. Long before the target was reached the aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire. Flight Sergeant Sumner was hit in the hand and arm by fragments of shrapnel but cooly informed his captain that his injuries were not serious and insisted on fulfilling his duties. When the target area was reached he directed the bombing run with skill and successfully attacked the objective. Only when the enemy coast had been crossed on the homeward flight would he allow anyone to attend to his injuries. His actions throughout were characteristic of the determination and devotion to duty he has shown throughout his tour.

NOTE: Ian Tavender records his recommendation dated 3 May 1944 (found in Public Record Office Air 2/9156) in his book The Distinguished Flying Medal Register for the Second World War (London, Savannah Publications, 2000). He had flown 27 sorties (171 hours 30 minutes).

Flight Sergeant Sumner is employed as an Air Bomber with this squadron since June 1943. During this time he has taken part in 26 operational sorties against many heavily defended enemy targets including Berlin (7), Frankfurt (2) and Nuremburg (2). On 26th/27th April 1944, he was bomb aimer in a Lancaster aircraft detailed to attack Schweinfurt. When about 250 miles from the target, in the vicinity of Strasbourg, the aircraft was hit by flak. This caused considerable damage to the aircraft including several hits on bomb bay and Bomb Aimer's compartment. Flight Sergeant Sumner informed his captain that he had been hit but stated that it was not serious and insisted on carrying on with his duties. He continued dropping Window until the target area was reached and then successfully directed his pilot over the target on a good bombing run. Then when the target was in his sights, he dropped his load and operated the camera in spite of damage to the bomb release wiring and the fact that the bombing release itself was shot away. On the return journey he remained at his post dropping Window and assisted his pilot and navigator with pin-points and it was not until the aircraft had crossed the enemy coast that he would allow his injuries to be dressed. Afterwards, he returned to his compartment and carried on for the remainder of the trip. On landing, it was found that he was wounded in the hand and arm including one finger broken and it was necessary to remove him immediately to hospital where he is now under treatment. His conduct in the incident described above came as no surprise to his crew and squadron colleagues to whom his devotion to duty, efficiency and high personal courage have invariably been an inspiration. I strongly recommend Flight Sergeant Sumner for an immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Medal.

Further information on some of his crewmates...

CONQUEST, HENRY JOHN. Rank: Flight Sergeant. Service No: 429450. Date of Death: 12/09/1944. Age: 26.
Regiment/Service: Royal Australian Air Force. (44 Squadron).
Panel Reference: Panel 260. Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL
Additional Information: Son of Robert William Conquest, and of Grace Alford Conquest, of Woody Point, Queensland, Australia.
Lancaster Mk III PB535 KM-Z. Take off 2044 from Dunholme Lodge to Darmstadt. Crashed 0130 near Roxheim, a small town 6 km S of Worms.
F/Off D S Lade RAAF, pilot (now in Reichswald); F/Sgt T Starkie F/Eng; W/O T L Awcock RAAF, Nav; F/O J A W McCullum DFC F/Eng; Sgt M Benjamin W/Op; F/Sgt H J Conquest RAAF M/U/G; F/O I P Hourigan RAAF, R/G. All except Lade are on Runnymede, so either crew baled but not linked to PB535, leaving skipper at controls or not yet located.

BUSHBY J H. Warrant Officer. Shot down on 97 Sqdn Lancaster III PB521 OF-Q. Pilot O.P. F. Taylor, RNZAF (same as 44 Sqdn) . From Coningsby 21/03/1945 to Hamburg. Crashed 0121 22/03/1945 at Feldmark Leeswig. PoW (dislocated shoulder).

TAYLOR, O P F. F/Lt RNZAF Pilot. DFC. (as above). PoW at 10B but died of spinal injuries at Sandbostel 30/04/1945.
TAYLOR, OWEN PATRICK FEWSTER. Rank: Flight Lieutenant. Trade: Pilot. Service No: 421792. Date of Death: 30/04/1945. Age: 25.
Regiment/Service: Royal New Zealand Air Force. 97 (R.A.F.) Sqdn. Awards: D F C.
Grave Reference: 10. B. 17. Cemetery: HANOVER WAR CEMETERY
Additional Information: Son of Charles and Violet May Taylor, of Rangiora, Canterbury, New Zealand.

STAUBER, NORMAN HENRY. Rank: Flight Sergeant. Trade: W.Op./Air Gnr. Service No: 1456888. Date of Death: 22/03/1945. Age:23
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. 97 Sqdn.
Grave Reference: 23. A. 8. Cemetery: BECKLINGEN WAR CEMETERY
Additional Information: Son of Ernest Gustav and Mabel Stauber, of Sheffield.

AHERNE, JOHN BURKE. Rank: Flight Sergeant. Trade: Flt. Engr. Service No: 1795799. Date of Death: 22/03/1945. Age: 31.
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. 97 Sqdn.
Grave Reference: 23. A. 9. Cemetery: BECKLINGEN WAR CEMETERY
Additional Information: Son of Michael and Julia Aherne, of Tralee, Co. Kerry, Irish Republic.
(with Bushby, Stauber and Taylor on PB521)


Couldn't find anything for an A J Astle on CWGC or as PoW. Hopefully that means he survived and may still be around?

 

Looking for more information regarding T.L Awcock who is mentiond in tis topic.
" Lancaster Mk III PB535 KM-Z. Take off 2044 from Dunholme Lodge to Darmstadt. Crashed 0130 near Roxheim, a small town 6 km S of Worms.
F/Off D S Lade RAAF, pilot (now in Reichswald); F/Sgt T Starkie F/Eng; W/O T L Awcock RAAF, Nav; F/O J A W McCullum DFC F/Eng; Sgt M Benjamin W/Op; F/Sgt H J Conquest RAAF M/U/G; F/O I P Hourigan RAAF, R/G. All except Lade are on Runnymede, so either crew baled but not linked to PB535, leaving skipper at controls or not yet located"

2 crew members are buried in Germany at Reichswald War Cemetary. Others including Awcock never found (??)
Anyone who can help me?