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

Double Post!

 

Hello Geoff
Stanley Wiliam Herring mentioned here

http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/22708-information-required-stanley-william-herring/


regards
Clive

 

Thanks Clive!

Must have missed this posting originally.

Great result.

Cheers

Geoff

 

13th February 1944 - 617Sq RAF.

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, 166/17/480 Commonwealth War Graves records W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Page 74, Volume 1944.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster
Serial number: DV 382
Radio call sign: KC – J
Unit: 617 Sqn RAF

Summary:

On the 13th February 1944, Lancaster DV382 took off from RAF Ford at 0830 hours detailed to carry out an attack on the Antheor Viaduct, Sardinia, Italy. The aircraft was returning to base after refuelling, when it crashed 10 miles north east of Chichester. Seven on board were killed.

Sqn Ldr Suggitt was injured, but died of his injuries on 15th February 1944.

Crew:

RCAF J/15131 Sqn Ldr Suggitt, William Reid DFC Captain (Pilot) +
RAF 652403 Flt Sgt Pulford, John DFM (Flight Engineer) +
RAAF 41218 PO Gordon, John Irvine DFC (Navigator) +
RCAF J/22514 FO Davidson, Norman James (Navigator) +
RAAF 411775 FO Hall, Stanley George DFC (Wireless Air Gunner) +
RAF 1390921 Flt Sgt Riches, John Paul (Air Gunner) +
RCAF J/17206 FO Dempster, John McBride DFM (Air Gunner) +
RAF 84133 Sqn Ldr Lloyd, Thomas Williams DSO (Squadron Intelligence Officer) +

Sqn Ldr Suggitt is buried in the Chichester Cemetery, UK.
Flt Sgt Pulford is buried in the Hull Northern Cemetery.
PO Gordon, PO Davidson and FO Dempster are buried in the Conningsby Cemetery, UK.
FO Hall is buried in the Wickham Market Cemetery, UK.
Flt Sgt Riches is buried in the Lingfield (SS Peter and Paul) Churchyard Extension, UK.

Sqn Ldr Lloyd was cremated in the Cheltenham Crematorium, UK at 52 years of age, he was the oldest officer killed in Bomber Command in 1944.

Flt Sgt Pulford was the navigator on Guy Gibson’s lead aircraft on the Dambusters raid and the first of that crew to die after the raid.

WO Gordon when a member of 467Sqn RAAF, was awarded the DFC in a General Citation promulgated in London Gazette 10/12/1943 P5381.



RCAF J/1531 Sqn Ldr Suggitt, William Reid DFC Captain (Pilot)
Aged 23, Son of Thomas and Grace Reid Suggitt, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
RAF 652403 Flt Sgt Pulford, John DFM (Flight Engineer)
Aged 24, Son of George William and Ada Elizebeth Pulford, of Hull.
RAAF 41218 PO Gordon, John Irvine DFC (Navigator)
Aged 31, Aged 23, Son of David Irvine Gordon and Mildred Gordon, of Cessnock, New South Wales, Australia; husband of Mary V. S. Gordon, of London, England. B.A., Dip. Ed.
RCAF J/22514 FO Davidson, Norman James (Navigator)
Aged 23, Son of James and Henrietta Elizabeth Davidson, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
RAAF 411775 FO Hall, Stanley George DFC (Wireless Air Gunner)
Aged 23, Son of Edith Hall, of Wickham Market.
RAF 1390921 Flt Sgt Riches, John Paul (Air Gunner)
Aged 22, Son of John Harvey Riches and Alice May Riches, of Lingfield; husband of Lily Riches.
RCAF J/17206 FO Dempster, John McBride DFM (Air Gunner)
Aged 20, Son of John Gass Dempster and Margaret Dempster, of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
RAF 84133 Sqn Ldr Lloyd, Thomas Williams DSO (Squadron Intelligence Officer)
Aged 52, Son of Walter Edmund and Annie Lloyd; husband of Alice Joan Lloyd.

 

71 Years ago today (15th February 1944) Ananda Kularatne piloting Halifax HX155 DY-Q of 102 (Ceylon) Squadron was lost with all his crew. They took off from Pocklington at 17.27hrs on an operation to Berlin with no news after take off.

The crew were:
158038 Plt Off Ananda Kularatne, RAFVR, 22. (Pilot)
1439598 Sgt Ralph Whitaker, RAFVR. (2nd Pilot)
1392448 Flt Sgt William Frederick Johnson, RAFVR, 27 (Navigator)
170437 Plt Off James Arthur Downs, RAFVR, 32. (Wireless Operator)
425238 Plt Off Alfred James Stapleton, RAAF, 33. (Air Gunner MU)
J/14184 Flg Off Jasper Mayton Watson Filmer, RCAF, 28. (Air Gunner Rear)
172498 Plt Off Kenneth William Sherlock, RAFVR, 22, (Flight Engineer)
J/18903 Plt Off William Mason Maxwell Manser, RCAF, 24, (Bomb Aimer)

The body of Alf Stapleton was recovered a week later and initially buried in Rostock. He is now buried in the 1939-45 War Cemetery Brandenburg Berlin. The rest of the crew are commemorated at the Air Forces Memorial at Runnymede.

It is most likely that Hptm.Werner Hoffmann of I./NJG 5 shot down HX155 at 20.48hrs in grid Square TD7 45km North West of Rostock putting the aircraft on track and on time.

We will remember them.

 

26th February 1941 - 615sq - Whyteleafe (St Luke) Churchyard, near Cateram, Surrey, UK.

First RAAF officer to command a Royal Air Force Squadron in WW2

1086 Wing Commander HOLMWOOD, Raymond Arthur

Source: AWM 237 (65) NAA : A9300 Barcode 5246866 Commonwealth War Graves records
Aircraft Type: Hurricane
Serial number:
Radio call sign:
Unit: 615 Sqn RAF

Summary:

On the 26th February 1941, a Hurricane aircraft flown by Wg Cdr Holmwood, a flying Instructor, was shot down by an enemy fighter, and was killed.

Crew:

RAAF 1086 Wing Commander Holmwood, Raymond Arthur (Pilot)

Wing Commander Holmwod is buried in the Whyteleafe (St Luke) Churchyard, UK. An airmen’s corner is set aside in the cemetery, for the burial of airmen from RAF Kenley, Whyteleafe Station at Croydon.

HOLMWOOD, RAYMOND ARTHUR (1911-1941), air force officer, was born on 7 December 1911 at Newcastle, New South Wales, second child of native-born parents Arthur Percy Holmwood, public schoolteacher, and his wife Mabel Alice, née Burgmann. After gaining his Intermediate certificate, on 15 February 1928 Raymond entered the Royal Military College, Duntroon, Federal Capital Territory, as a staff cadet nominated by the Royal Australian Air Force. He undertook the 'A' course at No.1 Flying Training School, Point Cook, Victoria, graduated with his 'wings' in December 1931 and was commissioned in the following month.

Having been posted to No.1 Squadron, Laverton, in February 1932 Holmwood joined No.3 Squadron at Richmond, New South Wales, where he quickly demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities. He earned respect for his professional competence, possessed a highly developed sense of duty and was a first-class athlete. These attributes were complemented by his fine appearance: he was 5 ft 10 ins (178 cm) tall, weighed 10 st. 11 lb (68.5 kg), and had straw-coloured hair, blue eyes and a fair complexion. With his 'aquiline features [and] strong chin . . . he made a most romantic figure'. On 21 September 1934 at St Mark's Anglican Church, Darling Point, Sydney, he married Margaret Alice, daughter of (Sir) Thomas Gordon.

Holmwood's appointments began to reflect his potential for high command. From December 1935 to February 1936 he was adjutant of No.3 Squadron; in 1936-37 he commanded the Cadet Squadron at No.1 F.T.S.; and he performed staff duties at Air Force Headquarters, Melbourne, in 1937-39. Promoted acting squadron leader, he took over the Intermediate Training Squadron at No.1 F.T.S. in July 1939 and became the squadron's chief flying instructor in April next year when it was expanded and transferred to No.1 Service Flying Training School.

In July 1940 Holmwood was sent to England to serve on exchange with the Royal Air Force. Disembarking in October, he completed an operational conversion course on fighter aircraft, then flew with No.64 Squadron, R.A.F. On 18 December he was appointed commanding officer of No.615 Squadron, based at Kenley, Surrey, and was thus the first R.A.A.F. officer to lead a British squadron in World War II. His appointment was the more meritorious because No.615 had distinguished itself in earlier fighting and its honorary air commodore was Prime Minister (Sir) Winston Churchill. Holmwood was promoted temporary wing commander in January 1941.

On 26 February 1941, during an engagement with enemy aircraft over Waddenhall, a rural district near Petham, Kent, Holmwood's Hurricane was shot down; he baled out of his aircraft but his parachute caught fire. The members of his unit regarded him as 'the very finest type' and his death cast a gloom over Kenley. Survived by his wife and four-year-old son, he was buried in Whyteleafe (St Luke's) churchyard, near Caterham, Surrey.



Aged, 29, Son of Arthur Percy and Mabel Alice Holmwood; husband of Margaret Alice Holmwood, of Point Piper, New South Wales, Australia.

 

3rd March 1943 - 12 sq RAF - Becklingen War Cemetery, Soltau, Niedersachsen, Germany.

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, 166/6/65 Commonwealth War Graves records W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Page 58 Volume 1943

Aircraft Type: Lancaster
Serial number: W 4855
Radio call sign: PH – D
Unit: ATTD 12 SQN RAF

Summary:

Lancaster W4855 took off from RAF Wickenby at 1858 hours on the night of 3/4th March 1943 to bomb Hamburg, Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take-off and it failed to return to base.

Crew:

RAF 551578 Sgt Kenneth Rupert William Simmonds, Captain (Pilot) +
RAF 574662 Sgt Laurence Burnett, (Flight Engineer) +
RAAF 401646 Flt Sgt Donald Kerr, (Navigator) +
RAAF 405310 Flt Sgt Ian Victor Heatley, (Bomb Aimer) +
RAAF 411281 Flt Sgt Henry Herbert Brien, (Wireless Air Gunner) +
RAF 1386048 Sgt Roy Victor Malcolm Davenport, (Mid Upper Gunner) +
RAAF 400677 Flt Sgt Archibald John Marfell, (Rear Gunner) +

Post war it was established that the aircraft crashed near Rotenburg (Wumme) and all the crew were killed. They are buried in the Becklingen War Cemetery, Locality Soltau, Niedersachsen, Germany. The cemetery is 13kms south east of Soltau on the side of the road from Hamburg to Hannover.

RAF 551578 Sgt Kenneth Rupert William Simmonds, Captain (Pilot)
Aged 21, Son of William Thomas Simmonds and Grace Lydia Simmonds, of Surbiton, Surrey.

RAF 574662 Sgt Laurence Burnett, (Flight Engineer)
Aged 20, Son of William Lawrence Burnett and Lilian Maud Burnett, of Upper Tooting, Surrey.

RAAF 401646 Flt Sgt Donald Kerr, (Navigator)
Aged 26, Son of Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Kerr, of Hampton, Victoria, Australia.

RAAF 405310 Flt Sgt Ian Victor Heatley, (Bomb Aimer)
Aged 22, Son of George Francis Heatley and Janet Wishart Heatley, of Townsville, Queensland, Australia.

RAAF 411281 Flt Sgt Henry Herbert Brien, (Wireless Air Gunner)
Aged 26, Son of Henry James Brien and Millicent Margaret Brien, of Cowra, New South Wales, Australia.

RAF 1386048 Sgt Roy Victor Malcolm Davenport, (Mid Upper Gunner)
Aged 21, Son of William Edward Davenport and of Maud Louisa Davenport, of East Dulwich, London.

RAAF 400677 Flt Sgt Archibald John Marfell, (Rear Gunner)
Aged 21, Son of Henry George and Helena Catherine Marfell, of Warmambool, Victoria, Australia; husband of Mildred Beatrice Marfell, of Alberta, Canada.

 

9th March 1944 - 198sq RAF - Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey, UK

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

420497 Flying Officer PARKES, William George

Source:

AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 166/32/322 Commonwealth War Graves records
Aircraft Type: Typhoon
Serial number: JR 447
Radio call sign:
Unit: ATTD 198 SQN RAF

Summary:

Typhoon JR447 took off from RAF Manston at 1040 hours on 9th March 1944, together with three other aircraft from the Squadron, detailed to carry out a Ranger operation on targets south of Paris. Owing to very thick haze over Paris all the aircraft were obliged to return to base.

On the return journey FO Abbott (No 1 to Parkes) observed that both wing tips of JB447 were damaged. It was believed the aircraft had flown between two obstructions while flying in formation at zero feet.

FO Parkes reached the English coast in the vicinity of Dungeness accompanied by Abbott although he was apparently having difficulty controlling his machine. Parkes informed his No1 that he was running short of petrol and intended to force land at Lydd.

At approx 1225 hours Parkes endeavoured to land but when only a few feet off the ground he decided to make another circuit. The aircraft did not climb and it hit a clump of trees at the edge of Lydd airfield, and burst into flames.

FO Parkes was taken to a clearing station but died of his injuries on 9 March1944.

Crew:

RAAF 420497 FO Parkes W G (Pilot) +

FO Parkes is buried in the Brookwood Military Cemetery, UK. Brookwood is 30 miles from London.
Aged 20, Son of Frank Roy and Lilian Parkes, of Bega, New South Wales, Australia.

 

14th March 1944 - RAAF HQ Melbourne - Sydney War Cemetery, Rookwood, New South Wales, Australia

Squadron Leader William Henry Gregory Geake who was born in Berkshire England on 23 February 1880 to John Venning Sandercock and Sarah Ann (nee Gregory) Geake. He was educated at All Souls College at Reading before migrating to Australia as a young man. A keen interest in inventing was soon apparent and he applied for his first patent in 1906. On 18 March 1909 he married Sybilla Isabella Charlotte Marsh at Christ Church in Springwood.

Prior to the outbreak of the First World War, Geake worked as an agent for a Sydney wholesaler, opened his own importing business in Pitt Street, and acted as a consulting engineer. It was as a consulting engineer that he enlisted in the AIF at Kiama, NSW, on 18 January 1916, and was posted to 13 Battalion reinforcements. On 17 April he was promoted to acting sergeant. While in training Geake developed, together with a civilian, Alfred Salenger, a bomb throwing device. The apparatus came to the attention of the Ministry for Munitions in London who invited Geake to accompany a model of the invention to England for appraisal. He embarked from Sydney in December, arriving in England on 1 February 1917. In March he was posted to the British Munitions Inventions Department (MID) of the Ministry for Munitions.

In early 1917 Geake was given command of the recently created AIF Research Section's experimental grounds in Esher, Surrey. On the evening of 26 September, He was at the grounds when a blast occurred in a pressing shed where explosives were being compressed into rocket heads. At great risk, he immediately entered the building and helped out an injured man. Without pausing he re-entered the building and rescued a mortally wounded fitter, Henry Bernard Timmins. In the belief that there was another man inside he re-entered the building but was beaten back by the flames. The following day, although suffering burns, Geake attended a demonstration where a premature explosion blew off three of his fingers and severely injured his leg. For his actions in rescuing the injured men from the building Geake was awarded the Albert Medal, one of only three awarded to members of the AIF.

Geake was appointed a MBE (Military) in the 1918 New Year's Honours list, for his contributions to the war effort. During the remainder of the year he travelled between Britain and France on numerous occasions to assess the invention made by members of his section. Work at the experimental station was hazardous and few who worked there escaped unscathed. Geake was wounded on three occasions during his tenure, including the loss of his fingers, another had a hand amputated; while four others were either wounded or burnt through premature explosions.

Ironically, following the cessation of hostilities, the section diverted its energies to 'the designing of artificial limbs and apparatus for the care of wounded.' On 1 January 1919 Geake was promoted to captain and in late May returned to Australia via America at his own expense, arriving in Sydney in August. His appointment with the AIF was terminated on 5 December.

Following the outbreak of the Second World War, Geake enlisted in RAAF in 1940. To enable him to enlist, he concealed his true age by noting his year of birth as 1891. He gained his flying officer's commission in July 1940, rising to squadron leader in 1942. Stationed at RAAF Headquarters in Melbourne, Geake was again involved in evaluating inventions.

Geake died of complications following cancer surgery on 14 March 1944 and was buried at Rookwood Cemetery. He was survived by his wife and three children. His son, Gregory, also served in the Second World War.

Aged 64, Son of John Venning Sandercock Geake and Sarah Anne (nee Gregory) Geake; husband of Sybilla Isabella Charlotte Geake, of Killara, New South Wales, Australia.

 

25th March 1942 -12Sqn - Escoublac-La-Baule War Cemetery, Loire-Atlantique, France.

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, 163/104/111 AWM 54 779/3/129 Part 6
Commonwealth War Graves records W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command
Losses of the Second World War, Page 50 Volume 1942

Aircraft Type: Lancaster
Serial number: W 5578
Radio call sign: PH -
Unit: ATTD 12 SQN RAF

Summary:

Lancaster W5578 took off from RAF Wickenby at 1823 hours on the night of 25/26th March 1942 to bomb the French port of St Nazaire. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take-off and it failed to return to base.

Crew:

RAAF 404876 Sgt Einar Ernest Due, Captain (Pilot) +
RAAF 403170 Sgt Robert Eric Greeenwell, (2nd Pilot) +
RAAF 402968 Flt Lt Mayo T H (Observer) POW
RAF` 645419 Flt Sgt Gordon John Sheahan ((Wireless Air Gunner) +
RAF 910036 Sgt John Henry Ives (Front Gunner) +
RAAF 407822 Sgt Alister McGregor Currie (Rear Gunner) POW

Four of the crew were killed and Flt Lt Mayo and Sgt Currie were POW’s.

Those killed are buried in the Escoublac-La-Baule War Cemetery, Locality Loire-Atlantique, France. Escoublac-La-Baule is 12kms west of St Nazaire and the Cemetery is south east of Escoublac and east of La Baule, and is located behind the small airport.

In a later POW report Flt Lt Mayo stated “ A few seconds after releasing the bombs and turning off target, the aircraft burst into flames coming from the bomb bay possibly caused by hung up flares, as flak was not noticed at that stage except light stuff lower
down. The flames quickly spread and the abandon order was given. The inter com then packed up and the aircraft seemed to be diving out of control. Except for Currie, I was the first to bale out at approx 15,000 feet and I believe the aircraft blew up almost immediately as I saw no sign of it after the chute opened.

Parts of the aircraft were picked up by the Germans the next day in the Bay of La Baule. I joined up with Currie on day at a section of the Luftwaffe at St Nazaire. There was no sign of the rest of
the crew after leaving the aircraft. Later I heard from the Red Cross that the bodies of the 4 others had been washed up and identified near St Nazaire. I landed in the water after baling out and had to swim ashore. Captured after reaching land.
Released by Americans on 7/5/45.”

RAAF 404876 Sgt Einar Ernest Due, Captain (Pilot)
Aged 30, Son of Leif and Blanche Fordham Due; husband of Golden Due, of Alpha, Queensland, Australia.

RAAF 403170 Sgt Robert Eric Greenwell, (2nd Pilot)
Aged 25, Son of Robert Edgar and Isabella McPherson Greenwell; husband of Lily Myrtle Greenwell, of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.

RAF Flt Sgt Gordon John Sheahan ((Wireless Air Gunner)
Aged 21, Son of Jack and Carol Sheahan, of South Harrow, Middlesex.

RAF Sgt John Henry Ives (Front Gunner)
Aged ?, NO NOK Listed

 

Apologies if I've put this in the wrong section.
Donald Mayston Payne was one of the crew assumed drowned in the above incident and at the time it was assumed his body was lost at sea.
I can confirm, however, that his body was buried in Quorn Baptist Church due to a case of mistaken identity

 

Hi Mike,

See this very recent post!

http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/56186-an-airman-of-the-1939-1945-war/?p=664238

Cheers

Geoff

 

72 Years ago today (29th March 1943) Halifax JB848 DY-G of 102 Ceylon Squadron crashed on West Green Pocklington minutes after take-off at 21.59hrs.

The crew were:

WO2 Wilfred Phelps Comrie RCAF Pilot aged 27
Sgt William J McGrath RAFVR Flight Engineer aged 23
F/O William Hugh Jenkins RAFVR Bomb Aimer aged 34
F/O Douglas William Francis Harper RAFVR Navigator aged 22
Sgt Frank William Dorrington RAFVR Wireless Operator aged 23
Sgt John King RAFVR Air Gunner aged 21
Sgt Myles Christian Campbell Squiers RAFVR Air Gunner age 20

The aircraft hit the slipstream of another aircraft and the pilot narrowly avoided the town of Pocklington before the aircraft crashed, killing all on board.

The full story is here:
102ceylonsquadron.co.uk/memwilfridcomrie.html

Following the find of a Merlin engine and other aircraft parts on the site, a memorial is to be dedicated to the crew at 12 Noon on Saturday May 9th 2014 on the new Pocklington Surgery site, West Green, Pocklington.

We have traced five of the crew’s families and we are still looking for the families of Douglas Harper and William McGrath.

We will remember them.

 

Hi Simon,

Have you contacted this owner of the Harper Family tree? He was last on 3 months ago!

http://trees.ancestry.com.au/tree/63285641/person/32104981407


Cheers

Geoff

 

Hi Geoff,

I have checked Ancestry and made a few contacts on there, but I will look again at the Harper family tree..

Of course more haste less speed, the dedication of the memorial to the Comrie crew is 9th May 2015!

Incidentally Comrie was a US citizen and joined the RCAF before Pearl Harbour.

Simon

 

10th April 1945 - 462sq RAAF- Berlin War Cemetery, Germany

462 SQUADRON RAAF WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 10 April 1945

Source:

AWM 64 1/338 Part 3 AWM 237 (63) (64) AWM 54 779/3/129 Part 30
NAA : A705, 166/5/1064 Commonwealth War Graves records.
Aircraft Type: Halifax
Serial number: NA 240
Radio call sign: Z5 -
Unit: 462 Sqn RAAF

Summary:

Halifax NA240 took off from RAF Foulsham at 1910 hours on the night of 10/11th April 1945 to carry out a window and bombing operation in the Plauem area, Germany, as a protective patrol with the main force to Leipzig. Ten aircraft from the Squadron took part in the raid and of these NA240 failed to return.

Crew :
RAAF 427182 PO Ball, Alfred Desmond John, Captain (Pilot) 20 +
RAAF 436113 Flt Sgt Neil Vernon Evans, (Navigator) 22 +
RAAF 409532 FO Frank, Murray (Bomb Aimer) 25 +
RAAF 432346 WO Ronald Reginald Taylor, (Wireless Air Gunner) 25 +
RAAF 435342 Flt Sgt Maxwell James Hibberd, (Rear Gunner) 20 POW
RAAF 430788 Flt Sgt John Mickle Tait, (Mid Upper Gunner) 20 +
RAF 546437 Sgt Brookes, Frederick (Flight Engineer) ?? +
RAF 179888 FO Heggarty, John SD Op. ?? +

Of the ten aircraft from the Squadron three were involved in radar counter measures and the others a feint window attack whereby they proceeded on the same track ahead of the main force, branching off just before Leipzig which was the target for the main force.

All the crew were killed with the exception of Flt Sgt Hibberd who became a POW. All those killed are buried in the Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery, Germany.

In a later statement Flt Sgt Hibberd reported “ The aircraft had a direct hit by flak on the starboard wing. Orders from the Captain were not heard. I baled out at 14,000 feet. The A/c was tossing about at the time. It crashed north east of Leipzig. Believe others were killed when aircraft crashed in the target area. Probably unable to get out because of special equipment in the aircraft. Hid for one day. Suffered loss of blood and concussion. Wounded in thigh and ankle. Released by Americans.”
A post war report on above RAAF Casualty file by a Missing Research & Enquiry unit records “ NA240 was shot down by ack-ack fire and exploded in the air over the village of Zaasch. Zaasch is approx 14 miles north east of Halle, Germany.”



RAAF 427182 PO Ball, Alfred Desmond John, Captain (Pilot)
Aged 20, Son of Frederick Arthur and Dorothy Louise Ball, of Leederville, Western Australia.

RAAF 436113 Flt Sgt Evans, Neil Vernon (Navigator)
Aged 22, Son of George Vernon Evans and Elizabeth Evans, of Victoria Park, Western Australia.

RAAF 409532 FO Frank, Murray (Bomb Aimer)
Aged 25, Son of William Casper Frank and Louisa Frank, of Daylesford, Victoria, Australia; husband of Ruth Constance Frank, of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

RAAF 432346 WO Taylor, Ronald Reginald (Wireless Air Gunner)
Aged 25, Son of John Benjamin and Ruby Taylor, of Punchbowl, New South Wales, Australia.

RAAF 430788 Flt Sgt Tait, John Mickle (Mid Upper Gunner)
Aged 20, Son of George William and Jessie Myrtle Tait, of Moonee Ponds, Victoria, Australia.

RAF 546437 Sgt Brookes, Frederick (Flight Engineer)
Aged ??, WIFE MRS IRENE BROOKES, "ROSENDALE" BEDW BACH
LLANHARAN, GLAMORGAN, SOUTH WALES. BROTHER, MR HERBERT BROOKES, 5 CROWN
BANK, CRESCENT, TALKE-PITS, STOKE - 0N - TRENT, STAFFORD.

RAF 179888 FO Heggarty, John (SD Op).
Aged ??, AUNT, MRS LOUISA MAY LEDGER, 19 CASTLE ROAD, WALLASEY,
CHESHIRE.

 

15th June 1943 - 460Sq RAAF - Heverleee War Cemetery, Belgium

460 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES

Date of Death : 15 June 1943

Source:

AWM 64 (1/293) AWM 64 (1/294) AWM 237 (63) (64)
NAA : A705, 166/9/110

Aircraft Type: Lancaster
Serial number: LM 324
Radio call sign: AR - O
Unit: 460 Sqn RAAF

Summary:

Lancaster LM 324 took off from RAF Binbrook at 2254 hours on 14 June 1943 to attack
Oberhausen, Germany. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb bomb, 56 x 30lb and 690 x 4lb
incendiaries. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take-off and it did not return to
base. Twenty two aircraft from the squadron took part in the raid.

Crew:

RAAF 413178 FO Dennett, William James Captain (Pilot) +
RAAF 413079 FO Flashman, Alfred Charles Ronald (Navigator) +
RAAF 412785 Flt Sgt Williams, Thomas (Bomb Aimer) +
RAF 1127216 Sgt Bogle, Ernest Anthony (Wireless Operator) +
RAF 1336115 Sgt Watson, Reginald Ernest (Flight Engineer) +
RAAF 410593 FO Emery, William Edward (Air Gunner) +
RAAF 14228 Flt Sgt Birk, Doric Phillip (Air Gunner) +

It was established post war that all the crew were killed. They are all interred in the
Heverlee War Cemetery, Louvain, Belgium, having first been laid to rest on 16 June at St-Truiden.

RAAF 413178 FO Dennett, William James Captain (Pilot)
Aged 31, Son of John Jacob and Ethel Dennett; husband of Marie Dennett, of Bondi Beach, New South Wales, Australia.

RAAF 413079 FO Flashman, Alfred Charles Ronald (Navigator)
Aged 22, Son of Alfred John Lawrence Flashman and Gladys Jessie Flashman, of Nyngan, New South Wales, Australia.

RAAF 412785 Flt Sgt Williams, Thomas (Bomb Aimer)
Aged 24, Son of Charles and Elizabeth Williams, of Port Glasgow, Scotland. Enlisted in Sydney NSW.

RAF 1127216 Sgt Bogle, Ernest Anthony (Wireless Operator)
Aged 20, Son of ? Bogle (Mother nee Carbery) – Sgt Bogle birth registered at Prescot, Lancashire.

RAF 1336115 Sgt Watson, Reginald Ernest (Flight Engineer)
Aged 21, Son of Frank Reginald and Alice May Watson, of Ruislip, Middlesex.

RAAF 410593 FO Emery, William Edward (Air Gunner)
Aged 24, Son of William Thomas Emery and Sadie Sarah Emery, of Wangaratta, Victoria, Australia.

RAAF 14228 Flt Sgt Birk, Doric Phillip (Air Gunner)
Aged 23, Son of the Revd. George Phillip Birk and Elvy Grace Birk, of Croydon, New South Wales, Australia.

View attachment 135629 View attachment 135630

 

Remembered Ruislip War Memorial
RAF 1336115 Sgt Watson, Reginald Ernest (Flight Engineer)
Aged 21, Son of Frank Reginald and Alice May Watson, of Ruislip, Middlesex.

 

6/05/1942 - 12sq RAF - Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany.

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, 163/55/163 Commonwealth War Graves records
W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Page 87
Volume 1942
Aircraft Type: Wellington
Serial number: Z 8495
Radio call sign: PH -
Unit: ATTD 12 SQN RAF

Summary:

Wellington Z8495 took off from RAF Binbrook at 2204 hours in the night of 5/6th May 1942 to bomb Stuttgart, Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take-off and it failed to return to base.

Crew:

RAAF 404522 FO Richardson, Norman Worsley (DFC) Captain (Pilot) +
RAF 109016 PO Hersey, Alan George (Observer) +
RAF 921915 Sgt Ody, Herbert John (Wireless Air Gunner) +
RAAF 407178 Sgt MacGregor-King, Thomas Freer (Air Gunner) +
RAF 644998 Sgt Webb, Edward Frederick (Air Gunner) +

A 1948 report by a Missing Research & Enquiry team stated “The aircraft crashed near Reuth presumably as a result of enemy aircraft. Olzheimj and Reuth are situated 5 and 6 miles respectively north east of Prum, which is approx 53 miles south west of Koblenz.
All the crew were killed and they are buried in the Rheinberg War Cemetery Locality Kamp-Lintfort, Nordrhein-Westfal, Germany. Rheinberg is 24kms north of Krefeld and 13kms south of Wesel. The cemetery is 3kms south of the centre of the town of Rheinberg on the road to Kamp Lintfort.

Citation :

FO Richardson’s citation for the award of DFC is as follows :

On 12 February 1942 PO Richardson was detailed to participate in an attack on the German battle cruisers passing through the Straits of Dover. In spite of extremely adverse weather conditions PO Richardson displaying great perseverance, finally located the
objective off the Belgian coast.. Whilst manoeuvring to attack the Gneisnau in the face of a terrific barrage, PO Richardson was wounded in the arm by a fragment of shell. In spite of this he continued to press home his attack and diving to 400 feet, released his bombs which were observed to fall just in front of the cruiser. Although the aircraft was again hit by ack-ack fire, PO Richardson flew his aircraft safely back to base.

(London Gazette 3/3/1942, P1012)

He was killed in action on 6 May 1942.

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RAAF 404522 FO Richardson, Norman Worsley (DFC) Captain (Pilot)
Aged 25, Son of Worsley and Elsie Margaret Richardson, of South Johnstone, Queensland, Australia.

RAF 109016 PO Hersey, Alan George (Observer)
Aged 30, Son of Arthur William and Florence Hersey; husband of Phyllis Aline Hersey, of Finchley, Middlesex.

RAF 921915 Sgt Ody, Herbert John (Wireless Air Gunner)
Aged 26, Son of Herbert and Mary Ody; husband of Margaret Jessie Ody, of Hove, Sussex.

RAAF 407178 Sgt MacGregor-King, Thomas Freer (Air Gunner)
Aged 24, Son of Freer Barnes King and Isabella Mary King, of Echunga, South Australia.

RAF 644998 Sgt Webb, Edward Frederick (Air Gunner)
Aged 20, Son of Frederick and Edith May Webb, of Upminster, Essex.

There are 3173 burials or memorials at Rheinberg War Cemetery of which 2,781 are Commonwealth Airmen of which 247 are Australian. 158 of the burials are unidentified.