WAAF casualty Hilda Alway

Discussion in 'The Women of WW2' started by worrals, Feb 4, 2011.

  1. worrals

    worrals Junior Member

    I'm hoping someone can help with some info. ACW1 Hilda Alway was a Flight Mechanic and killed on 4 Nov 1944 after being struck by a glider wing, she died in Horton Hospital, Banbury.
    Any idea where she would have been based or any more detail about the incident. Thanks.
     
  2. rememberthem

    rememberthem ex member

    Service no 470272
    22 at death
    Daughter of Hugh and Annie Alway of Wembley
     
  3. Harry Ree

    Harry Ree Very Senior Member

    I think the unit might have been an airfield controlled by No 23 Training Group,whose HQ were located at South Cerney.

    The nearest glider unit to Banbury in this Group was at Brize Norton,being the No 21 Heavy Glider Conversion Unit which used the Whitley as a tug for the Horsa.

    There were other glider units in this group but were remote from Banbury.

    It appears that AC1 Alway,WAAF, was taken home for burial
     
    Last edited: Nov 26, 2017
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  4. RAFCommands

    RAFCommands Senior Member

    No.1 GTS at Croughton

    Hotspur HH535 Pilot F/O Watchorn on first solo - glider swung on take off.

    WAAF was on rope laying party and was facing away from takeoff strip.

    The tug took off slightly off line and glider swung before controls became effective. C of I noted that pilot should have cast off but recognised pilot inexperience.

    It was also noted that the normal procedure of klaxon warning of take off did not take place due to shortage of airfield controllers and manpower demands of course starting at Watchfield.

    Ross
     
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  5. harkness

    harkness Well-Known Member

    1939 REGISTER TRANSCRIPTION
    25 Highmead Crescent , Wembley M.B., Middlesex
    NAME DOB OCCUPATION
    Hugh Alway 08 Jul 1892 Milk Salesman
    Annie L Alway 27 Dec 1897 Charwoman

    (1 entry hidden)
     
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  6. CL1

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

    from my collection of photos

    Aircraftwoman 1st Class ALWAY, HILDA MURIEL
    Service Number 470272

    Died 04/11/1944

    Aged 22

    Women's Auxiliary Air Force

    Daughter of Hugh and Annie Louisa Alway, of Wembley.


    INSCRIPTION
    HER LIFE A BEAUTIFUL MEMORY HER ABSENCE A SILENT GRIEF. MUM AND DAD

    upload_2017-11-26_11-45-53.png

    upload_2017-11-26_11-44-52.png
     
  7. CL1

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

    I have sent message to worrals
     
  8. worrals

    worrals Junior Member

    Thanks everyone for all the information and photos, much appreciated, very interesting.
     

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