Remembering Today, 22 November 1945. The crew and passengers of Liberator GR.VIII KH126

Discussion in 'The War In The Air' started by Peter Clare, Nov 22, 2012.

  1. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    Wednesday, 22 November 1945

    Liberator GR.VIII KH126
    53 Squadron
    Op. Trooping Flight

    The aircraft was taking off from RAF Merryfield on a trooping flight to India but it crashed into a hillside 41/2 miles from the airfield from a height of 900 feet.

    Crew.

    Flight Lieutenant Leopald MIELECKI Pilot
    Flying Officer Gordon Jenkins MYERS Co-Pilot
    Flying Officer Stanislaw KLEYBOR DFC Navigator
    Flying Officer Antoni WIZE Wireless Operator
    Flight Sergeant Jan BREZEZINSKI Flight Engineer

    Passengers

    Lieutenant Arthur George QUICK 26 Indian Army Signals Corps
    Lieutenant Peter James BILES Indian Army Service Corps
    Captain Herbert Cecil BUCK 28 1st Punjab Regiment
    Major Henry William Gilbert STAUNTON 37 Indian Army Medical Corps
    Signalman Anthony John BIRCH 20
    Signalman Robert Charles ANDERSON 19 Royal Corps of Signals
    Signalman Roland Oswin ANDERSON
    Signalman James Henry ATTWOOD 22
    Signalman Donald Bernard BENJAMIN 19
    Signalman John William Alexander BREWIS 22
    Signalman William Armstrong CHARLTON 21
    Signalman Arthur Edwin CLARK 18
    Signalman Laurence James CURRY 24
    Signalman Herbert DONOVAN 20
    Signalman Leonard Henry DOWNS
    Signalman Leslie Raymond DYER 19
    Signalman Peter Brown FAIRBAIRN
    Signalman Ronald Douglas FARRANCE
    Signalman Frederick Walter GENT
    Signalman Owen WILLIAMS 18
    Signalman Roy E C WILLIAMS 18
    Driver Bryan William FOX 19

    Source – The Price Of Peace – C. Cummings


    Movement history of Liberator VIII KH126

    Ex.44-10691
    Delivered Dorval 22 August 1944
    Gander to Prestwick 29 August 1944
    To Scottish Aviation Ltd 29 August 1944
    To 120 Squadron 29 December 1944
    To 1 Transport Aircraft Modification Unit for conversion to C.VIII troop-transport.
    To 53 Squadron 3 September 1945
    Lost height after take-off from RAF Merryfield on trooping flight and flew into the ground at Broadway Pound, Somerset on 22 November 1945
    Struck Off Charge 29 November 1945
     
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  2. JimHerriot

    JimHerriot Ready for Anything

    Travelled to The West Country yesterday and met up with a couple of good chaps, former colleagues from a previous part of life.

    Headed up into the Blackdown Hills to the south side of Taunton to visit a memorial that we'd promised ourselves years ago that we would visit one day.

    A quiet country lane, just below the crest of a hill, in brilliant evening Somerset sunshine. Toasts were made to all.

    Always remember, never forget,

    Jim.

    B & D KH126 Memorial.jpg

    Memorial KH126 1.jpg

    Memorial KH126 2.jpg

    Memorial KH126 3.jpg
     
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  3. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Fom my photo collection
    SIGNALMAN JAMES HENRY ATTWOOD
    Service Number: 14216739
    Regiment & Unit/Ship
    Royal Corps of Signals

    Date of Death
    Died 22 November 1945

    Age 22 years old

    Buried or commemorated at
    MARLOW CEMETERY

    Sec. A. Row E. Grave 5.

    United Kingdom
    • Country of Service United Kingdom
    • Additional Info Son of James Henry and Violet Maud Attwood; husband of Winnifred Adalaide Ivy Attwood, of Marlow.



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    Last edited: Jan 13, 2024
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  4. JimHerriot

    JimHerriot Ready for Anything

    I seem to have been travelling, visiting, seeing for some time these past few weeks. Catching up with people and places that may not be visited again.

    Nearly three years since last here. Castle Farm/Neroche memorial, and this time Ilminster Cemetery too, looking back across to the fateful site on The Blackdowns. Chaps such a long way from home.

    A privilege to be in such company.

    Always remember, never forget,

    Jim.

    HCBV 1.jpg

    HCBV 3.jpg

    HCBV 5.jpg

    HCBV 6.jpg

    HCBV 7.jpg

    HCBV 9.jpg
     
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  5. JimHerriot

    JimHerriot Ready for Anything

    A trip to the westcountry a couple of days back. Time made for remembrance.

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    To all, always remembered.

    Jim.
     
  6. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    As always Jim. Thank you.
     

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