Hi Everyone, I am researching Sydney Williams, :- Sergeant (Air Gunner) WILLIAMS, SYDNEY Service Number 1452582 Died 09/10/1943 102 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Buried at HANOVER WAR CEMETERY They took off at 22.50 on the 8th October 1943, and looking at the Grave Registration Reports Form, I see only 3 of the crew of his Halifax 11 HR 927 "N." R. ELLIS, T.G. PALGRAVE and Sydney, all 102 Sqdn. I tried to find the others on CWGC and couldn't, so I am wondering if they crashed and they were taken prisoners, but sadly the 3 in the Graveyard of course lost their lives on that night. They must have got to Germany, at least, although there was no news after take-off. The other on the flight were:- J. ROWLATT, J, WOOLLERTON, J.M. BUCHANAN and J. MASON. Is there any way to find out what happened? Any help gratefully received. Kindest regards, Mavis Williams
Hi Mavis The a/c code is HX173 The details you need are on this link - Allied Losses and Incidents: All Commands they did not all die - 4 were POW Ellis, Palgrave and Williams were those that died TD
No 102 Squadron RAF Halifax VI, No 4 Group Bomber Command 1944-45 Don Mason 29 days ago My dad was a bomb aimer in Halifax HX173 DY-N out of Pocklington. He was shot down on 8th October 1943 over Lichtenhorst, on the way home from Hanover. It was his 13th op (unlucky 13?). He was one of four survivors (obviously, otherwise I would not be here to tell the tale), baling out through the bomb bay doors as other exits were impossible to reach. After the war he became a Baptist Minister and died in 2002.
Thank you TD and alieneyes once more. So they were part of Bomber Command. It will add to their story to know that some sadly died and some survived,thank goodness, as in the above extract from Don Mason and his father J. Mason. So they got as far as Hanover, and on way back home, bless them, and as l always do, I want to know more!!! Sorry, but would it be possible to find out which camp and if they ever got out of it, as I see that Hanover Cemetery was also used for the POW's as well. As an Air Gunner, wasn't that the worst position to be in in the airplane? I am so grateful for your efforts on my behalf. Kindest regards, Mavis
UK, British Prisoners of War, 1939-1945 Name: J Mc N Buchanan Rank: Flight Sergeant Army Number: 1351233 Regiment: Royal Air Force : Officers & Other Ranks POW Number: 259853 Camp Type: Stalag Luft 3 Camp Number: L3 Camp Location: Sagan and Belaria, Poland Section: Royal Air Force : Officers & Other Ranks Name: J Mason Rank: Flight Sergeant Army Number: 1339448 Regiment: Royal Air Force : Officers & Other Ranks POW Number: 259886 Camp Type: Stalag Camp Number: 4B Camp Location: Muhlberg (Elbe), Germany Section: Royal Air Force : Officers & Other Ranks Name: H F Rowlatt Rank: Flight Sergeant Army Number: 1389625 Regiment: Royal Air Force : Officers & Other Ranks POW Number: 259906 Camp Type: Stalag Camp Number: 4B Camp Location: Muhlberg (Elbe), Germany Section: Royal Air Force : Officers & Other Ranks Seems to be slightly different spellings of his surname Name: J Woollerton (Sometimes Woolerton) Rank: Flight Sergeant Army Number: 1035101 Regiment: Royal Air Force : Officers & Other Ranks POW Number: 259925 Camp Type: Stalag Luft 3 Camp Number: L3 Camp Location: Sagan and Belaria, Poland Section: Royal Air Force : Officers & Other Ranks TD
Thank you again, TD, so they were split up, but at least 2 together, I hope anyway. This will help finish the story of the crew, I am so grateful for all your help. Kindest regards, Mavis
