I've been to the church yard at Castle Eaton many times but not seen this plaque until today. Either it's relocated or a bush has been cut down. The two chaps mentioned are here. I'll look into the aircrew later. CWGC :: Casualty Details Name: FRANKLYN, JOHN BELFIELD EDMUND Initials: J B E Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Captain Regiment/Service: Green Howards (Yorkshire Regiment) Unit Text: 6th Bn. Age: 22 Date of Death: 27/09/1944 Service No: 249200 Additional information: Son of General Sir Harold Edmund Franklyn, K.C.B., C.B., D.S.O., M.C., and Lady Franklyn, of Charing, Kent. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: 10. B. 1. Cemetery: ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY CWGC :: Casualty Details Name: MILLS, KENNETH PERCY Initials: K P Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Hampshire Regiment Unit Text: 1/4th Bn. Age: 24 Date of Death: 01/09/1944 Service No: 5120553 Additional information: Son of Percy Edward and Ethel Louisa Mills, of Water Eaton, Wiltshire. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: II. J. 12. Cemetery: MONTECCHIO WAR CEMETERY
A little more info on the loss of the aircraft....... 13 May 1943 24 OTU Whitley V Z9510 Training. Crew. Sgt. E E. Russell + Sgt. A H. Burn + Sgt. G F. Broadbent + Sgt. E G. Cooper + Sgt. H. Millward + The aircraft took off at 1105 hrs from Long Marston for a cross country exercise . While in flight, the port engine suddenly burst into flames, resulting in the bomber crashing to the ground at 1340 hrs at Castle Eaton, some 7 miles NNW from Swindon, Wiltshire. All were claimed by their next of kin. Bomber Command Losses Vol.7 W R. Chorley.
I am surprised by the amount of RAF casualties which have been sustained during training ops. Are there any statistics to show how many were killed this way?
Franklyn was the son of Maj-Gen Franklyn who commanded 5th Div in 1940 campaign. Franklyn probably died in this attack. From Monty's Northern Legions by Delaforce page 96 ...the two Green Howard battalions tried on the 26th and 27th to take Haalderen, a village with factories whose tall chimneys made excellent observation points for the enemy. Panzer tanks and 88mm anti-tank guns dominated all the approaches.
Mills was killed in the day after Norton won his VC. GERARD NORTON VC http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article501770.ece
Sgt Russell. CWGC :: Casualty Details Sgt. A H. Burn CWGC :: Casualty Details Sgt. G F. Broadbent + CWGC :: Casualty Details Sgt. E G. Cooper CWGC :: Casualty Details Sgt. H. Millward CWGC :: Casualty Details Thanks Peter
Nice bit of research Owen. It is difficult to resist finding out the stories behind plaques and memorials such as these.
Today I have been back out to Castle Eaton . Thought I'd add new photos to replace the missing images from post #1.
In respect of Capt. JBE Franklyn and from the book: The story of the Green Howards 1939 -1945 (Synge). When previously mentioned in the book, on the 11 June 1944, Capt. Franklyn had been 2nd in-command of ‘C’ Company, but had just taken over command of ‘C Company on the death of its commanding officer. On the morning of 26 September 1944, the 6th Bn Green Howards was situated just due north of Bemmel (see map); which was its start point. Words in square brackets added by me to aid understanding. The advance commenced again at sometime between 6 am and 8 am on 27 September 1944.
Connected with my posting at message No.9... For background information on what was happening in the Nijmegen Bridgehead at this time, please read the first two messages in Pieter’s (forum name ‘stolpi’) excellent thread on this battle(s); here: NIJMEGEN BRIDGEHEAD: II.SS Pz Corps' counterattack in October 1944 He has inserted some excellent maps in there too!
