I was having a quiet walk around our local Cemetery on Christmas Day, and came across 1 CWGC stone I have taken the details from the War Memorial website, and was hoping that some member might help me and see if they have any information on how the gentleman died. Any help appriciated Wolves Guy VICTOR CLAUDE MATTHEWS, Sergeant (W.Op./Air Gnr.) 1210659 53 Sqdn.Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Died 26/03/1943
On the 26 March 1943 Whitley EB331/U 53 Squadron flown by Sgt. W G. Kirby and crew failed to return from a navigation exercise in the North Sea. A search for survivors was mounted and an air-sea rescue launch found the body of Sgt. V C. Matthews (wop/ag) next day. A medical examination gave the cause of his death as "due to splinters presumed caused by enemy action". Sgt Kirby, Sgt I D. Bradley, Sgt C J H. MacKenzie, Sgt K. Stainton and Sgt S. Westwood were never found. 'United in Effort' The Story Of No.53 squadron RAF. Jock Manson. Name:MATTHEWS, VICTOR CLAUDEInitials:V CNationality:United KingdomRank:Sergeant (W.Op./Air Gnr.)Regiment/Service:Royal Air Force Volunteer ReserveUnit Text:53 Sqdn.Date of Death:26/03/1943Service No:1210659Additional information:Son of Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Matthews, of Wolverhampton.Casualty Type:Commonwealth War DeadGrave/Memorial Reference:Old ground. Row 51. Grave S/1.Cemetery:HEATH TOWN (HOLY TRINITY) CHURCHYARD
WOW Pete, thank you for that information on my request. It will now make my time more worth while when I return on Monday to give a little clean up around his stone. What a shame that his body was the only one recovered. It really brings it home when you hear news like that. I'm sure the incident would of been reported in the local press, so I will have to go and see if I can locate it. Thank you very much Pete, for your help. Dave
Pete could you please give this guy a look up? He is also in Heath Town church yard. Charle Frederick Cooper 1003497 Aircraftman 2nd Class Regards Dave
Dave, COOPER, CHARLES FREDERICK Initials:C F Nationality:United Kingdom Rank:Aircraftman 2nd Class (W. Op. [Air]) Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Unit Text:600 Sqdn.Age:20 Date of Death: 03/10/1940 Service No:1003497 Additional information: Son of Enoch and Amelia Cooper, of Heath Town, Wolverhampton.Casualty Type:Commonwealth War DeadGrave/Memorial Reference: Old ground. Row 38. Grave 63.Cemetery:HEATH TOWN (HOLY TRINITY Sorry to say I have no other info on Cooper or in fact his squadron No.600 RAF, apart from that the squadron moved from Redhill to Catterick on 12 October 1940 with detachments at Drem, Acklington and Prestwick. In September 1940 they converted from the Blenheim IV to the Beaufighter IF. Conversion being completed in early 1941. Could I suggest you post your request on the following web site ....... RafCommands Forums - Powered by vBulletin I feel sure you will get a result. Good luck Peter.
Thank you Pete, I will have a pop at the RafCommands Forums - Powered by vBulletin, but thank you for the above information you have given. Dave
You were right Peter, I got a reply to my request quite quick. I have pasted the reply below for your information Charles Frederick Cooper. 1003497 Killed in a flying accident on the 03.10.40. He and the 2 other crew members p/o. C.A.hobson. and Sgt. D.E. Hughes. were all killed when their blenheim l4905 struck trees on high ground at Forest Row. Sussex. during a rainstorm. There is a book on the history of 600 sqdn. titled Gentlemen in Blue.
Peter, Just a little bit more to add to the reply I got from R.A.F Commands site. 'Men of the Battle of Britain - Kenneth G Wynn' Charles Frederick COOPER 1003497 AC2 Radar Operator 600 Sqn Cooper of Wolverhampton, joined the RAF (RAFVR) in June 1940 as an Aircrafthand. He volunteered for aircrew and after a short radar course he was posted to 600 Sqn at Redhill 26/9/1940. He was a member of the crew of Blenheim L4905 which had engine failure during a routine patrol in the early hours of 3/10/40. It crashed into trees on high ground at Broadstone Warren Forest Row, Sussex. The pilot P/O C.A Hobson : the gunner Sgt D.E Hughes and Cooper were all killed. Cooper is buried in Holy Trinity churchyard, Heath Town, Wolverhampton. He was 20 years old. He was one of a number of aircrew who flew on operations during the Battle of Britain without rank or flying badge !
