good day little friend.sm.yesterday,07:24pm,re:anson pilot memorial gloucestershire.a fine memorial.thank you for excellent photo's. may they rest in peace, regards bernard85
Photo of headstone HANCOCK, BRUCE Rank: Sergeant Trade: Pilot Service No: 742644 Date of Death: 18/08/1940 Age: 26 Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Grave Reference: Sec. G.5. Grave 50061. Cemetery: HENDON CEMETERY AND CREMATORIUM Additional Information: Son of George and Maud Hancock, of Hendon; husband of Anne Jayne Hancock, of Hendon. F.A.I., F.S.I.http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2734824/HANCOCK,%20BRUCE
Sunday 18th August 1940 Anson L9164 No.6 SFTS One of the men who died on 18 August 1940 was Sergeant Bruce Hancock. He had almost finished training with No 6 SFTS at RAF Little Rissington and was about to go on leave. He was 26. Hancock had just taken off from RAF Windrush in his Anson L9164. It was dark, and Hancock was practicing night flying. At four minutes to midnight, he collided with Heinkel He 111P werknummer 1408 of II/KG 27. The plane had been detailed to attack RAF Brize Norton, ten miles SE of RAF Windrush, but the pilot had mistaken Windrush for Brize and attempted an attacking run. Hancock's body was not found until the following day, lying 100 yards from the wreckage of his plane. Local firewatchers who found his body claimed that had more of an effort been made to find him on the night of the crash, he may have lived. The German plane came down at Blackpits Farm near Aldbourne (now just off the A40). The four German flyers were buried with full military honours at Northleach Parish Church. Heinkel crew (all killed) were later buried at Cannock Chase German Military Cemetery, Staffordshire, England.
thank you for posting all the details I went to find the grave to make sure the thread is complete and he is not forgotten. regards Clive
good day little friend.sm.yesterday.09:37am.#4.anson pilot memorial gloucestershire.a fine memorial to a very brave pilot.the control tower once the hub of all activity at the air bace.they must have felt helpless as sgt bruce hancock.rammed the enemy.a true hero.may he rest in peace.regards bernard85
Many thanks Bernard85 for your kind remarks. I first photographed the Control Tower and Plaque about six years ago, also the Church wall Plaque. Sadly this was severely damaged by the frost of the 2010-1 winter. Thankfully now fully restored to it's former glory.
Plaque honouring heroic WW2 pilot who died after ramming German bomber with aircraft is stolen Read more http://www.stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk/news/11400595.Plaque_honouring_heroic_WW2_pilot_who_died_after_ramming_German_bomber_with_aircraft_is_stolen/?ref=var_0
A wonderful thread to read, until you learn of the theft and then it made me feel angy towards the thief. I just fail to comprehend the motives of these " low lifes", that steal Memorial Plaques. Regards Tom
Doesn't look too good that I posted my latest on the 9th of August. I wonder how much that small amount of Copper is worth ? Hopefully it was stolen for it's true value. Either way a despicable theft by some Moron !! I sincerely hope that by my posting-up of so many memorial photographs, someone isn't selecting those worth stealing.
This at the Inn for all Seasons Restaurant along the A40 near the Barrington's, not too far West from Burford. Gloucestershire -Oxfordshire border. I took these photographs in 2010 with a normal film camera, hence they are not too clear !
Drove past the church this evening but didn't know about the memorial until doing a bit of Googling about RAF Windrush. Thought it'd be on here somewhere & indeed it was.
The new-ish memorial stone in front of the old control tower. The recently replaced plaque on the tower wall. I took these Thursday 19-04-2018.
Not sure if you already know but the Plaque wasn't stolen. The RAF from Brize Norton came and removed it to clean it up and refurbish it. Sadly they didn't think to tell anyone! they realised their error when they saw the story in the local news Does anyone know where both aircraft came down? All the reports state the wood near Blackpitts Farm but there are a couple of woods that might fit the bill. Plus, i doubt both aircraft came down in the same location?
