In Memoriam - Those Air Force Pilots/Crews who died on this day in WW2.

I just add details from RCAF casualty lists as I see RCAF fellows posted here and elsewhere with no NOKs. As you know many KIAs are listed with no hometowns, NOKs, nothing. That isn't the fault of the CWGC as their mandate is really just the care of cemeteries and headstones.

When doing these, I feel a little sad when the NOK's details are not included, so I am glad to see you add these. Just seems there is a part of their families sacrifice missing without them.

 

RAAF FATALITIES IN SECOND WORLD WAR AMONG
RAAF PERSONNEL SERVING ON ATTACHMENT
IN ROYAL AIR FORCE SQUADRONS AND SUPPORT UNITS
401229 Sergeant BRINDLEY, Russel Walter
Source:
AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 163/93/585 . Micro Film No 463 OAFH
Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of
the Second World War, Page 151, Volume 1942.
Aircraft Type: Halifax
Serial number: W 7753
Radio call sign: NP – T
Unit: ATTD 158 SQN RAF
Summary:
Halifax W7753 took off from RAF East Moor at 0005 hours on the night of 13/14th July
1942, detailed to bomb Duisberg, Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after
take off and it failed to return to base.
Crew:
RAF PO Bradbury, L E Captain (Pilot)
RAF Sgt E G Kendall, (Pilot)
RAF Sgt P Roy, (Flight Engineer)
RAF Sgt A J Fromings, (Observer)
RCAF Flt Sgt W J Smart, (Wireless Air Gunner
RAAF 401229 Sgt R W Brindley, (Wireless Air Gunner)
RAF Sgt W Walton, (Wireless Air Gunner)
RAF PO Petherbridge, R A (Air Gunner)
The aircraft crashed into the rear garden of a house in the Brauch und Middelicherstrasse,
Resse in the northern suburbs of Gelsenkirchen. All the crew were killed and they are
buried in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery,

In Memory of
Pilot Officer LESLIE ELMER BRADBURY

122322, 158 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died age 21
on 14 July 1942
Son of Frederick William and Lily Winifred Bradbury, of Pulborough, Sussex.
Remembered with honour
REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY


In Memory of
Sergeant ERIC GEORGE KENDALL

1380281, 158 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died age 22
on 14 July 1942
Son of Herbert Henry and Alice Kendall, of Birdbrook, Essex.
Remembered with honour
REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY


In Memory of
Sergeant PETER ROY

632784, 158 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
who died age 22
on 14 July 1942
Son of Peter and Jessie Roy, of New Elgin, Morayshire.
Remembered with honour
REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY


In Memory of
Sergeant AUBREY JOHN FROMINGS

1162831, 158 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died age 27
on 14 July 1942
Son of Henry John and Mabel Emily Fromings, of Thornton Heath, Surrey.
Remembered with honour
REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY


In Memory of
Flight Sergeant WILLIAM JAMES SMART

R/92605, 158 (R.A.F.) Sqdn, Royal Canadian Air Force
who died age 20
on 14 July 1942
Son of William Duncan Smart and Marion Maude Smart.
Remembered with honour
REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY


In Memory of
Sergeant RUSSELL WALTER BRINDLEY

401229, Royal Australian Air Force
who died age 27
on 14 July 1942
Son of George French Brindley and Ethel Gay Brindley, of Camberwell, Victoria, Australia.
Remembered with honour
REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY


In Memory of
Sergeant WILLIAM WALTON

1104554, 158 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died age 21
on 14 July 1942
Son of Ernest William Clark Walton and Isabella Walton.
Remembered with honour
REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY


In Memory of
Pilot Officer REGINALD ALFRED PETHERBRIDGE

106152, 158 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died age 28
on 14 July 1942
Son of Alfred James Petherbridge and Nellie Elizabeth Petherbridge; husband of Margaret Petherbridge, of Mosstodloch, Morayshire.
Remembered with honour
REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY

 

460 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death : 15 July 1944.
Source:
AWM 64 (1/295) AWM 64 (1/294) Appendix C56 AWM 237 (63) (64)
NAA : A705, 166/42/76
Aircraft Type: Lancaster
Serial number: ME 755
Radio call sign: AR – Z
Unit: 460 Sqn RAAF
Summary:
Lancaster ME755 took off from RAF Binbrook at 2138 hours on the night of 14 July
1944 to bomb Revigny, France. Bomb load was 6 x 1000lb and 4 x 500lb bombs.
Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Fifteen
aircraft from the squadron took part in the raid, and one ME755 failed to return.
Crew:
RAAF 421774 PO Vaughan, W A H Captain (Pilot)
RAF Flt Sgt Jeffries, F (Navigator)
RAAF 421578 Flt Sgt Dickerson, K L T (Bomb Aimer)
RAAF 424460 Flt Sgt Raftery, B F (Wireless Operator Air)
RAF Sgt Allan, A (Flight Engineer)
RAF Sgt Wade, D (Mid Upper Gunner)
RAF Sgt Kilsby, H S (Rear Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft crashed at Chevillon (Haute-Marne), a village
some 16kms SE of St-Dizier, France. Five of the crew were killed and both Flt Sgt
Raftery and Sgt Wade evaded capture and were returned safely to UK. In a statement Flt
Sgt Raftery reported ‘The sortie was aborted and the crew were ordered to bring the
bombs back. At 0200 hours about six minutes after the order to return was given, I heard
canon fire striking the forepart of the fuselage. Fire broke out near the wireless set and
the intercom was U/S. I looked for the navigator without success, and baled out of the
rear door. The mid upper gunner was at the time doing up his chute. The estimated height
was 2000 feet. Until the door was opened the aircraft was reasonably steady, but then
went into a steep dive. Sgt Wade was contacted on the ground. Two days later I was
informed that five of the crew were killed. I identified the bodies from photos I was
shown by the Resistance movement. All were buried at Chevillon. I saw photos of
Vaughan and Dickerson’.
The five crew members who died are buried in the Haute Marne Communal Cemetery,
Chevillon, France.


In Memory of
Pilot Officer WILLIAM ALAN HENRY VAUGHAN

421774, Royal Australian Air Force
who died age 25
on 15 July 1944
Son of William Mark Matthew and Ivy May Vaughan, of Merrylands, New South Wales, Australia.
Remembered with honour
CHEVILLON COMMUNAL CEMETERY


In Memory of
Flight Sergeant FREDERICK JEFFRIES

1323904, 460 (R.A.A.F.) Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died age 33
on 15 July 1944
Son of Frederick and Annie Mary Jeffries, of North Kensington, London; husband of Maud Jeffries.
Remembered with honour
CHEVILLON COMMUNAL CEMETERY


In Memory of
Flight Sergeant KEVIN LESLIE THOMAS DICKERSON

421578, Royal Australian Air Force
who died age 20
on 15 July 1944
Son of Leslie Thomas Dickerson and Robina Bridget Dickerson, of Concord, New South Wales, Australia.
Remembered with honour
CHEVILLON COMMUNAL CEMETERY


In Memory of
Sergeant ALEXANDER ALLAN

1562335, 460 (R.A.A.F.) Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died
on 15 July 1944
Son of Alexander and Elizebeth Allan, of Greenock, Renfrewshire.
Remembered with honour
CHEVILLON COMMUNAL CEMETERY


In Memory of
Sergeant HORACE SIDNEY KILSBY

1575038, 460 (R.A.A.F.) Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died age 21
on 15 July 1944
Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Kilsby, of Kettering, Northamptonshire.
Remembered with honour
CHEVILLON COMMUNAL CEMETERY

 

RAAF FATALITIES IN SECOND WORLD WAR AMONG
RAAF PERSONNEL SERVING ON ATTACHMENT
IN ROYAL AIR FORCE SQUADRONS AND SUPPORT UNITS

Source:
NAA : A705, 166/9/355 Commonwealth War Graves records
Aircraft Type: Hudson
Serial number: FH 361
Radio call sign:
Unit: ATTD 251 SQN RAF
Summary:
Hudson FH361 (S for Sugar) took off from Reykjavik at 0202 hours on 16th July 1944, on a
meteorological reconnaissance sortie. The take off appeared normal and was seen a few
minutes later some 3 miles off the airfield flying straight on an easterly course at about
500 feet. The aircraft was then seen to bank violently to the left. It was presumed the
aircraft had stalled and had dived into the ground out of control. It appeared that the
aircraft had crashed as a result of loss of control caused by the stall. All the crew were
killed.
Crew:
RAF Flt Lt Pain, C A Captain (Pilot)
RAAF 420524 Flt Sgt B S Blatch, Navigator Bomb Aimer)
RAAF 417164 WO L C De Garis, (Navigator Bomb Aimer)
RAF Sgt D H Bowdidge, (Wireless Operator Air)
RAF Sgt R Winterburn, (Wireless Operator Air)
All of the crew are buried in the Reykjavik (Fossvogur) Cemetery, Iceland. Reykjavik is
in the south west part of the island.

In Memory of
Flight Lieutenant CHARLES ALAN PAIN

123001, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died age 22
on 16 July 1944
Son of John and Olive Pain, of Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Remembered with honour
REYKJAVIK (FOSSVOGUR) CEMETERY


In Memory of
Warrant Officer BENJAMIN GEORGE BLATCH

420524, Royal Australian Air Force
who died age 21
on 16 July 1944
Son of Sidney George and Marjory Janet Blatch, of Colo Vale, New South Wales, Australia.
Remembered with honour
REYKJAVIK (FOSSVOGUR) CEMETERY


In Memory of
Warrant Officer LEWIS CLEMENT DE GARIS

417164, Royal Australian Air Force
who died age 22
on 16 July 1944
Son of Albert Clement De Garis and Edith Margaret De Garis, of Naracoorte, South Australia.
Remembered with honour
REYKJAVIK (FOSSVOGUR) CEMETERY


In Memory of
Sergeant DONALD HENRY BOWDIDGE

1272398, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died
on 16 July 1944

Remembered with honour
REYKJAVIK (FOSSVOGUR) CEMETERY


In Memory of
Sergeant RAYNER WINTERBURN

1439949, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died age 22
on 16 July 1944
Son of Spencely and Kate Eliza Winterburn, of Thornhill, Dewsbury, Yorkshire.
Remembered with honour
REYKJAVIK (FOSSVOGUR) CEMETERY

 

Hi,

Another of the original transcription errors that crept into the NAA lists.

The aircraft lost was FH361, coded S for Sugar and assigned to No.1407 Flight.

It was only Garis who was with No.251 Sqn, all other crew were from No.1407 Flight.

FH381 served with No.200 Sqn before being Cat.E when it was bellylanded at Blida on 14/02/45 with No.3 FU.

Regards
Ross

 

Hi,

Another of the original transcription errors that crept into the NAA lists.

The aircraft lost was FH361, coded S for Sugar and assigned to No.1407 Flight.

It was only Garis who was with No.251 Sqn, all other crew were from No.1407 Flight.

FH381 served with No.200 Sqn before being Cat.E when it was bellylanded at Blida on 14/02/45 with No.3 FU.

Regards
Ross

Thanks Ross,

Great info.

Bowdidge came across as Bowbridge which was why it took me a while to find his details.

Cheers

Geoff

 

RAAF FATALITIES IN SECOND WORLD WAR AMONG
RAAF PERSONNEL SERVING ON ATTACHMENT
IN ROYAL AIR FORCE SQUADRONS AND SUPPORT UNITS
406028 Pilot Officer MIDDLETON, Alan Stewart
Source:
AWMK 237 (65) NAA : A705, 163/45/109 Digitised Commonwealth War Graves
records
Aircraft Type: Maryland
Serial number: 1655
Radio call sign:
Unit: ATTD 223 SQN RAF
Summary:
Maryland 1655 of 12sq SAAF crashed three miles north of the Suez Cairo road, approx 30 miles from
Suez. The aircraft was engaged in carrying out certain exercises which included firing at
a ground target. During these manoeuvres the Pilot was engaged in firing practice with
the front gun. The Pilot dived the aircraft too steeply near the ground, and in attempting
to recover, the aircraft became power stalled at a low height and crashed. All the crew
were killed.
Crew:
SAAF 2ndLt Blatherwick, R A W Captain (Pilot)
RAAF 406028 PO Middleton, A S (Observer)
SAAF Sgt A M Fowler,(Wireless Air Gunner)
SAAF Sgt J S Dunn, (Air Gunner)
The crew are buried in the Fayid War Cemetery, Egypt. Fayid is a small town 20kms
south of Ismailia on the western shore of the Great Bitter lakes, at mid point in the Suez
Canal.

View attachment Middleton Family.pdf


In Memory of
Second Lieutenant REGINALD A. W. BLATHERWICK

103272, 12 Sqdn., South African Air Force
who died age 20
on 17 July 1941

Remembered with honour
FAYID WAR CEMETERY


In Memory of
Pilot Officer ALAN STEWART MIDDLETON

406028, Royal Australian Air Force
who died age 25
on 17 July 1941
Son of Edward Isaac and Violet Amelia Middleton, of Claremont, Western Australia.
Remembered with honour
FAYID WAR CEMETERY


In Memory of
Air Sergeant ADAM MORTHIMUS FOWLER

102170, 12 Sqdn., South African Air Force
who died age 30
on 17 July 1941
Son of Thomas and Alletta Fowler; husband of Kathleen Fowler, of Uitenhage, Cape Province, South Africa.
Remembered with honour
FAYID WAR CEMETERY


In Memory of
Air Sergeant JAMES SELWYN DUNN

102312, 12 Sqdn., South African Air Force
who died age 29
on 17 July 1941
Son of James S. Dunn and Dora Dunn; husband of Bella M. Dunn, of Johannesburg, Transvaal, South Africa.
Remembered with honour
FAYID WAR CEMETERY

 

A SAAF Maryland assigned to No.12 Sqn SAAF as were the three SAAF crew (Fowler was SAAF as per the CWGC register not RAF as Storr/NAA).

Regards
Ross

 

A SAAF Maryland assigned to No.12 Sqn SAAF as were the three SAAF crew (Fowler was SAAF as per the CWGC register not RAF as Storr/NAA).

Regards
Ross

Thanks Ross,

I noticed the error as that is why I highlighted them in red but forgot to alter the "RAF" against Fowler.

The 223sq reference is the squadron Middleton was attached to and is confirmed on his digitised record.

Cheers

Geoff

 

The Canadian Sgt Rozell has a date of death 21/07/1943 on CWGC - Anyone know if he initially survived the crash?

RAAF FATALITIES IN SECOND WORLD WAR AMONG
RAAF PERSONNEL SERVING ON ATTACHMENT
IN ROYAL AIR FORCE SQUADRONS AND SUPPORT UNITS
415176 Flight Sergeant O’HARA, Bernard Aloysius
Source:
AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 166/31/85 Commonwealth War Graves records
Aircraft Type: Boston
Serial number: AL 747
Radio call sign:
Unit: ATTD 18 SQN RAF
Summary:
Boston AL747 took off at 0215 hours on the 18 July 1943 to carry out an armed
reconnaissance over Sicily. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it failed
to return to base.
Crew:
RAAF 415176 Flt Sgt B A O’Hara, Captain (Pilot)
RCAF Sgt R H Halliday, (Navigator Bomb Aimer)
RAF Sgt C Kincaid, (Wireless Air Gunner)
RCAF Sgt G E Rozell, (Air Gunner)
The aircraft was seen to fall in flames and allo the crew were killed.
Flt Sgt O’Hara and Sgt Kincaid are buried in the Catania War Cemetery, Sicily, Italy.
Sgt Halliday and Sgt Rozell are buried in the Agira Canadian War Cemetery, Sicily Italy.
The cemetery is in the commune of Agira, Province of Enna, in the centre of Sicily.

In Memory of
Flight Sergeant BERNARD ALOYSIUS O'HARA

415176, Royal Australian Air Force
who died age 22
on 18 July 1943
Son of John Patrick and Alice Maude O'Hara, of Nedlands, Western Australia.
Remembered with honour
CATANIA WAR CEMETERY, SICILY


In Memory of
Flight Sergeant ROBERT HENRY HALLIDAY

R/131077, 18 Sqdn., Royal Canadian Air Force
who died age 22
on 18 July 1943
Son of Bert and Anna V. Halliday, of Hamilton, Ontario.
Remembered with honour
AGIRA CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY, SICILY


In Memory of
Sergeant CLIFFORD KINCAID

1080458, 18 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died age 22
on 18 July 1943
Son of George and Annie Kincaid; husband of Pamela Joan Kincaid, of Walshaw, Bury, Lancashire.
Remembered with honour
CATANIA WAR CEMETERY, SICILY


In Memory of
Sergeant GLEN EDWIN ROZELL

R/107240, 18 Sqdn., Royal Canadian Air Force
who died age 22
on 21 July 1943
Son of Charles Herbert and Sarah Margaret Rozell, of Saskatoon, Saskatchewen.
Remembered with honour
AGIRA CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY, SICILY

 

RAAF FATALITIES IN SECOND WORLD WAR AMONG
RAAF PERSONNEL SERVING ON ATTACHMENT
IN ROYAL AIR FORCE SQUADRONS AND SUPPORT UNITS
411475 Sergeant BANNISTER, Rupert Theodore
Source:
AWM237 (65) NAA : A705, 163/90/340 Commonwealth War Graves records
W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses Operational Training Units, 1940-1947,
Page 137, Volume 7.
Aircraft Type: Wellington
Serial number: DV 800
Radio call sign:
Unit: 27 Op Training RAF
Summary::
On the 19th July 1942, Wellington DV800 took off from RAF Lichfield, for a day crosscountry
training. While over North Wales, the crew strayed 10 miles north of their
intended track. At around 1230 hours, and flying above cloud, (cloud base 2000 feet) it
was assumed that the pilot decided to let down through the overcast in order to establish
their position, and while doing so the aircraft smashed into the Black Ladder mountain
near Carnedd Dafydd in Snowdonia. All on board were killed.
Crew:
RAAF 416004 Sgt E H Longbottom, Captain (Pilot)
RAF Sgt L D Traylen, (Observer)
RAF Sgt R I Bowen, (Observer)
RAF Sgt S J Wilson, (Wireless Air Gunner)
RAAF 411475 Sgt R T Bannister, (Air Gunner)
Sgt’s Longbottom and Bannister are buried in the Llanbeblig Public Cemetery,
Caenarvon, UK
Sgt Traylen is buried New Southgate Cemetery, UK
Sgt Bowen is buried in the Enfield (Lavender Hill) Cemetery, UK.
Sgt Wilson is buried in the Seagoe Church of Ireland Churchyard, UK.
A Court of Inquiry into the accident found that : “ The Primary cause of the accident :
could not be established as the accident occurred in daytime away from Lichfield drome.
The Secondary cause : It appears that owing to an error in navigation, the aircraft was
about 10 miles south of its track from Holyhead to Thyl which resulted in the aircraft
flying into Mt Snowden. Cloud base at the time was 2000 feet.
The crew had been briefed to fly at 7000 feet and it can only be assumed that the Pilot
decided to fly below the clouds to pinpoint his position. as the wireless in the aircraft
must have been U/S as nothing had been heard from the aircraft for several hours. The
wireless went U/S shortly after 1206 hours when the last message was received. The Pilot
was an above average Pilot.”

View attachment 56202

In Memory of
Sergeant ERIC HARVEY LONGBOTTOM

416004, Royal Australian Air Force
who died age 25
on 19 July 1942
Son of Oliver Ernest and Hilda Grace Longbottom, of Riverton, South Australia.
Remembered with honour
LLANBEBLIG PUBLIC CEMETERY, CAERNARFON


In Memory of
Sergeant LIONEL DENIS TRAYLEN

1378536, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died age 34
on 19 July 1942
Son of Reginald Cecil and Elsie Traylen; husband of Ivy Beatrice Traylen, of Winchmore Hill, Middlesex.
Remembered with honour
NEW SOUTHGATE CEMETERY


In Memory of
Sergeant RICHARD IVOR BOWEN

1265010, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died age 21
on 19 July 1942
Son of William George and Margaret Bowen, of Enfield.
Remembered with honour
ENFIELD (LAVENDER HILL) CEMETERY


In Memory of
Sergeant SAMUEL JAMES WILSON

1026302, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died age 22
on 19 July 1942
Son of Albert and Mamie Wilson, of Portadown.
Remembered with honour
SEAGOE CHURCH OF IRELAND CHURCHYARD


In Memory of
Sergeant RUPERT THEODORE BANNISTER

411475, Royal Australian Air Force
who died age 30
on 19 July 1942
Son of Francis William and Margaret Mary Bannister, of Chatswood, New South Wales, Australia.
Remembered with honour
LLANBEBLIG PUBLIC CEMETERY, CAERNARFON

 

RAAF FATALITIES IN SECOND WORLD WAR AMONG
RAAF PERSONNEL SERVING ON ATTACHMENT
IN ROYAL AIR FORCE SQUADRONS AND SUPPORT UNITS
401755 Sergeant ALLAN, Reginald Connell
Source:
AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 163/87/236 Commonwealth War Graves records
Aircraft Type: Spitfire
Serial number: AD 356
Radio call sign:
Unit: ATTD 41 SQN RAF
Summary:
On 20th July 1942 Spitfire AD 356 was flying in formation with other aircraft from the
Squadron carrying out a Rhubarb along the French coast at a height of 50 to 100 feet,
when a large transport was observed on the coast road. The formation dived to attack at
the conclusion of which AD356 was seen to make a crash landing in a cornfield. The
pilot lost his life.
Crew:
RAAF 401755 Sgt R C Allan (Pilot)
PO Slack (RAF) of White Section 41 Sqn, later filed this report : “White 1 attacked a
large transport on the coast road. White 2 was flying 300 yards behind on the starboard
side and I was White 3, 300 yards behind White 2 on the port side of White 1. White 4
(flown by Sgt Allan) should have been on my port and behind me. When White 1 and
White 2 had finished their attacks and broken away, I came in very low and opened fire.
On reaching 150 yards or closer to the target, I noticed a plane slightly in front and to the
starboard side also firing. This turned out to be White 4 who was very low indeed.
I immediately ceased firing and noticed the wing of this aircraft break off about half way
between the wing tip and the wing root, and then did a half orbit and saw the aircraft hit a
corn field to the port of the road. It was very badly damaged and the engine began to give
off flames.
At first I imagined it was one of Razzle Blue section flying to our starboard about 100
yards away, but as they were not attacking on our road I naturally thought I was safe to
come in low as the two front aircraft had broken off the attack.”
Sgt Allan is buried in the Ste Marie Cemetery, Le Havre, Locality Seine-Maritime,
France.

In Memory of
Sergeant REGINALD CONNELL ALLAN

401755, Royal Australian Air Force
who died age 23
on 20 July 1942
Son of George and Alma Allan, of Northcote, Victoria, Australia.
Remembered with honour
STE. MARIE CEMETERY, LE HAVRE

 

No information about how this lad died!

LEACH, PHILIP ALLEN Pilot Officer 77944 38sq RAF 21/07/1940



In Memory of
Pilot Officer PHILIP ALLEN LEACH

77944, 38 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died age 38
on 21 July 1940
Son of Henry Ernest and Agnes Jessie Leach, of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Remembered with honour
MARHAM (HOLY TRINITY) CHURCHYARD

 

RAAF FATALITIES IN SECOND WORLD WAR AMONG
RAAF PERSONNEL SERVING ON ATTACHMENT
IN ROYAL AIR FORCE SQUADRONS AND SUPPORT UNITS

Source:
AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, Commonwealth War Graves records
W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses Operational Training Units 1940-1947,
Page 60, Volume 7.
Aircraft Type: Wellington
Serial number: R 1334
Radio call sign:
Unit: ATTD 11 OP TRAINING RAF
Summary:
Wellington R1334 took off from RAF Steeple Morden on the night of 21/22nd July 1941,
detailed to carry out a night cross-country training exercise. The aircraft was destroyed as
a result of a mid air collision with an JU88 at 0119 hours on 22nd July over Ashwell, 6
miles north east from the centre of Letchworth, Hertfordshire.
All the crew were killed.

Crew:
RCAF Sgt F S Houston, Captain (Pilot)
RAF Flt Sgt W A Hannah, (Pilot)
RAAF 400299 Sgt B C Thompson, (Pilot)
RAF Sgt C M S Lewis, (Observer)
RAF Flt Sgt J Stewart,( Wireless Air Gunner)
RAF Sgt R E Hibbert, (Wireless Air Gunner)
RCAF Sgt P T Manning, (Wireless Air Gunner)
RAAF 404410 Sgt R A McAllister, (Air Gunner)
Sgt’s Houston, Thompson, Manning and McAllister are buried in the Bassingbourn cum
Kneeworth Cemetery, UK.
Flt Sgt Hannah is buried in the Grimsby (Scartho Road) Cemetery, UK.
Sgt Lewis is buried in the High Bray (All Saints) Churchyard, UK.
Flt Sgt Stewart is buried in the Belfast City Cemetery, UK.
Sgt Hibbert is buried in the Hillingden –Uxbridge Cemetery, UK.
In Memory of
Sergeant FREDERICK SLADE HOUSTON

R/68200, Royal Canadian Air Force
who died age 22
on 22 July 1941
from Wheatley, Ontario.
Remembered with honour
BASSINGBOURN CUM KNEESWORTH CEMETERY


In Memory of
Flight Sergeant WALTER ANTHONY HANNAH

748787, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died age 22
on 22 July 1941
Son of Walter B. Hannah and Alice B. Hannah, of Grimsby.
Remembered with honour
GRIMSBY (SCARTHO ROAD) CEMETERY


In Memory of
Sergeant BRUCE CATHCART THOMPSON

400299, Royal Australian Air Force
who died age 24
on 22 July 1941
Son of Leslie Samuel and Ethel May Thompson, of Parkdale, Victoria, Australia.
Remembered with honour
BASSINGBOURN CUM KNEESWORTH CEMETERY


In Memory of
Sergeant CLAUDE MORTIMER SPRATT LEWIS

1154594, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died
on 22 July 1941
Son of George Reginald and Ethel Adeline Blanche Lewis. of Bratton Fleming.
Remembered with honour
HIGH BRAY (ALL SAINTS) CHURCHYARD


In Memory of
Flight Sergeant JOSEPH STEWART

627588, Royal Air Force
who died age 26
on 22 July 1941
Son of Joseph and Margaret Stewart; husband of Susan E. Stewart, of Belfast.
Remembered with honour
BELFAST CITY CEMETERY


In Memory of
Sergeant REGINALD ERNEST HIBBERT

1153276, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died age 20
on 22 July 1941
Son of Ernest George and Jane Jardine Hibbert, of Uxbridge.
Remembered with honour
HILLINGDON AND UXBRIDGE CEMETERY


In Memory of
Sergeant PERCIVAL THEODORE MANNING

R/59283, Royal Canadian Air Force
who died age 20
on 22 July 1941
Son of Herbert Guy and Margaret Mona Manning, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Remembered with honour
BASSINGBOURN CUM KNEESWORTH CEMETERY


In Memory of
Sergeant ROBERT ANDREW McALLISTER

404410, Royal Australian Air Force
who died age 26
on 22 July 1941
Son of John William and Fanny Jane McAllister.
Remembered with honour
BASSINGBOURN CUM KNEESWORTH CEMETERY

 

RAAF PERSONNEL SERVING ON ATTACHMENT IN ROYAL AIR FORCE
SQUADRONS AND SUPPORT UNITS IN WORLD WAR 2 AND MISSING WITH
NO KNOWN GRAVE.
400025 Flying Officer CAMPBELL, Robert Balmain

Source:

NAA: A705, 163/25/80
Aircraft Type: Stirling
Serial number: N 6038
Radio call sign:
Unit: 15 Sqn RAF
Summary:
Stirling N 6038 of 15 Sqn RAF left its base at 1805 hours on 23 July 1941 to bomb a
target in enemy territory. Nothing further was heard from the aircraft.

Crew:

RAAF 400025 FO Campbell, R B, Captain (Pilot)
RNZAF PO Lewis, D A
RAF Sgt Mitchell, A J
RAF Flt Sgt Cockburn, W
RAF PO Warner, J H E
RAF Sgt Whitcher, A R N
RAF Sgt Friend, G T
In 1950 it was established that the body of the RNZAF member of the crew (PO Lewis)
was washed ashore on the island of Amrum, and buried in the Kiel British War cemetery.
It was assumed that the aircraft came down in the North Sea and that the remaining six
crew members were lost at sea.

In Memory of
Flying Officer ROBERT BALMAIN CAMPBELL

400025, Royal Australian Air Force
who died age 27
on 23 July 1941
Son of Robert Balmain Campbell and Edith Jessie Campbell, of Camberwell, Victoria, Australia.
Remembered with honour
RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL


In Memory of
Pilot Officer DONALD ALFRED LEWIS

40193, 15 (R.A.F.) Sqdn., Royal New Zealand Air Force
who died age 23
on 23 July 1941
Son of Vincent Lewis, and of Isabelle Marie Lewis, of Levin, Wellington, New Zealand.
Remembered with honour
KIEL WAR CEMETERY


In Memory of
Sergeant ARTHUR JOHN MITCHELL

902867, 15 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died age 23
on 23 July 1941
Son of Arthur and Hannah Mitchell, of Penylan, Cardiff.
Remembered with honour
RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL


In Memory of
Flight Sergeant WILLIAM COCKBURN

614847, 15 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
who died
on 23 July 1941

Remembered with honour
RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL


In Memory of
Pilot Officer JOHN HENRY ERIC WARNER

102984, 15 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
who died
on 23 July 1941

Remembered with honour
RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL


In Memory of
Sergeant ARTHUR RONALD NORMAN WHITCHER

751366, 15 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died age 22
on 23 July 1941
Son of Arthur and Amy K. S. Whitcher, of Southampton.
Remembered with honour
RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL


In Memory of
Sergeant GEORGE THOMAS FRIEND

549040, 15 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
who died age 20
on 23 July 1941
Son of Herbert John and Nora Friend.
Remembered with honour
RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

 

Can anyone assist with the crew and groundstaff that perished so I can include them in this thread.??

RAF WWII

BLOM, WALTER MICHAEL, 33, Vere Road. 40041, Flight Lieutenant, DFC, 150 Squadron, Royal Air Force. Died 27th July 1940, aged 23. Buried in East Bridgford (St. Peter) Churchyard, Nottinghamshire. Grave 3A.
Pilot of a Fairey Battle , Serial No L5528, Code Letters JN-. Aircraft was being "bombed-up" at its base , Newton, Notts. A bomb fell off, began to burn and eventually exploded, Blom, his two crew , and four ground crew were killed.

Battle I L5528 loss on 27 July 1940, fatalities......

F/O. W M. Blom DFC +
Sgt. W H J. Franklin BEM +
Sgt. A E F Gould + (Died from injuries 28/7/1940)
Cpl. D H Sharpe +
LAC. W Y Cann +
LAC. G A Hall +
AC1. F. Stewart +



The Mercury (Hobart, Tas) - Thursday 1 August 1940

HEROIC PILOT

Late Flight-Lieut. W. M. Blom

Fllght-Lieut. "W. M. Blom, D.F.C., of the Royal Air Force, whose death in a flying accident is reported, was a son of Mrs. W. M. Blom, of 42 St. Georges Terrace, Battery Point Tasmania, and the late Captain Blom.

In May, when he was attached to the Advanced Air Striking Force in France, Flight-Lieut. Blom, who was 23 years of age, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was educated at the Hobart State High School, and before he enlisted he was employed by H. Jones and Co. Pty. Ltd. who was married last year to Miss Catherine Winifred Orton, of Peterborough, England.

Mrs Blom has two other sons, Leslie and Trevor, in the Royal Australian Navy. Leslie is in the crew of H.M.A.S. Sydney, and took part in the memorable encounter with the Italian cruiser Bartolomeo Colleoni.

Leslie later died with all crew of HMAS Sydney. The other son, Trevor survived the war and was discharged on 25th September 1951.

The Mercury (Hobart, Tas) - Thursday 1 August 1940

Roll of Honour - Walter Michael Blom
Walter Michael Blom
Service number: 40041
Rank: Flight Lieutenant
Unit: 150 Squadron
Service: RAAF
Conflict: 1939-1945
Date of death: 27 July 1940
Place of death: Newton, England
Cause of death: Accidental (Bomb explosion)
Source: AWM148 Roll of Honour cards, 1939-1945 War, Air Force


DIED ON ACTIVE SERVICE—Flt. Lt. W. M.Blom, D.F.C., 40041;


SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 31 MAY, 1940

Flying Officer Walter Michael BLOM (40041)


During May, 1940, this officer was detailed to lead a half section of aircraft in a low level bombing attack against an enemy motorised column of all arms advancing on a road in Luxemburg. Before reaching his objective a petrol tank was pierced by machine-gun fire and, although unable to locate his allotted target through being drenched and almost blinded by the escaping petrol, he pressed home his attack on another enemy column with considerable success. During this time the aircraft was subjected to very heavy fire from the ground and was repeatedly hit, receiving such damage as to render it beyond repair, but this did not prevent Flying Officer Blom from flying back to the base, a distance of 90 miles. He displayed outstanding courage and tenacity.


In Memory of
Flight Lieutenant WALTER MICHAEL BLOM
D F C
(of Australia)
40041, 150 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
who died age 23
on 27 July 1940
Husband of Catharine Winifred Blom, of Peterborough, Northamptonshire.
Remembered with honour
EAST BRIDGFORD (ST. PETER) CHURCHYARD


In Memory of
Sergeant WILLIAM HENRY JAMES FRANKLIN
B E M

522061, 150 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
who died age 28
on 27 July 1940
Son of Comdr. Cyril Prescott Franklin, D.S.O., R.N., and Florence Marjorie Franklin, of Radlett, Hertfordshire. His brother John Michael also died on service.
Remembered with honour
EAST BRIDGFORD (ST. PETER) CHURCHYARD


In Memory of
Sergeant ALBERT EDWARD FRANK GOULD

524674, 150 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
who died age 23
on 28 July 1940
Husband of Phyllis May Gould, of North Baddesley.
Remembered with honour
ROMSEY CEMETERY

In Memory of
Corporal DENNIS HAROLD SHARP

619842, 150 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
who died
on 27 July 1940

Remembered with honour
BIRMINGHAM (YARDLEY) CEMETERY


In Memory of
Leading Aircraftman WALTER YPRES CANN

638518, 150 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
who died age 19
on 27 July 1940
Son of Walter Ernest and Maria Elizabeth Cann, of Abbey Wood.
Remembered with honour
WOOLWICH CEMETERY


In Memory of
Leading Aircraftman GEORGE ARTHUR HALL

619068, 150 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
who died age 20
on 27 July 1940
Son of Elizabeth Hall, of Kentish Town, London. His brother William Charles also died on service.
Remembered with honour
ST. PANCRAS CEMETERY


In Memory of
Aircraftman 1st Class FREDERICK STEWART

638353, Royal Air Force
who died age 22
on 27 July 1940
Son of Robert and Rebecca Stewart, of Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland.
Remembered with honour
EAST BRIDGFORD (ST. PETER) CHURCHYARD

 

Can anyone assist with the crew and groundstaff that perished so I can include them in this thread.??

Battle I L5528 loss on 27 July 1940, fatalities......

F/O. W M. Blom DFC +
Sgt. W H J. Franklin BEM +
Sgt. Gould +
Cpl. Sharpe +
LAC. Cann +
LAC. Hall +
AC1. F. Stewart +

 

I did have this in another thread however wanted it in thread by itself.

Andy provided a death list for the date and came up with these five of 150sq which includes Flt/Lt Blom.

From Peter Clare's information there seems to be "Blom" plus two other crew and four groundstaff with one of the four injured dying the next day, which gives us a total of eight deaths.

003 BLOM W M 40041 150 SQDN 27/07/1940 ROYAL AIR FORCE

005 CANN W Y 638518 150 SQDN 27/07/1940 ROYAL AIR FORCE

008 FRANKLIN W H J 522061 150 SQDN 27/07/1940 ROYAL AIR FORCE

009 HALL G A 619068 150 SQDN 27/07/1940 ROYAL AIR FORCE

011 SHARP D H 619842 150 SQDN 27/07/1940 ROYAL AIR FORCE

Only Blom, Stewart & Franklin were buried in the same cemetery which leaves five others unaccounted for however the other 150sq deaths (Cann, would have been buried in their local village.

Any more info would be appreciated.

Cheers

Geoff

 

Battle I L5528 loss on 27 July 1940, fatalities......

F/O. W M. Blom DFC +
Sgt. W H J. Franklin BEM +
Sgt. Gould +
Cpl. Sharpe +
LAC. Cann +
LAC. Hall +
AC1. F. Stewart +

Thanks Peter - Solves the puzzle. I thought there were eight in total but misread your post.

Cheers

Geoff

 

Cann at Woolwich cemetery
Sharpe at Birmingham (Yardley)
Hall at St Pancras
Blom, Stewart & Franklin at East Bridgford
Gould at Romsey Cemetery. He was not listed initially on Andy's info as he died a day later on the 28th.

Thanks all for the detail.

Cheers

Geoff