I am seeking information on a Lancaster, ND699, PH-P, which was lost over Stuttgart on the night of 29th July 1944, as one of the crew, Sgt Gerald Price, RAF(VR), S/N: 1507522, was my great uncle. Other members of the crew were: Sgt T Waring, Sgt AT White, A/F/O WL White, Sgt T.Kelso, Sgt AW Baskott and P/O JW Collister. I already have the ORBs for the relevant dates and Collister's service record as he was a member of the RCAF. I have applied for Sgt Price's service record from the MOD but would be interested to know if any forum members knew of other sources of information or possibly where I would be able to get a picture of the plane or crew. Any help would be really appreciated. regards, Stuart Price.
Picture here suggests its your Lanc Avro Lancaster III (ND699 PH-P) on a mission to Stuttgart on 1944-07-29 where in the UK was he from? Sergeant (Air Gunner)PRICE, GERALD Service Number 1507522 Died 29/07/1944 12 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Casualty
No 12 / No 626 Squadrons have a Squadron Association known as the Wickenby Register....over 1000 aircrew FTR from Wickenby....(No 626 Squadron was formed from No 12 Squadron C Flight in November 1943.) The airfield is still used for private flying, albeit from a shortened runway.There is an excellent memorial to those who FTR out of Wickenby. There was a museum in the Control Tower when I last visited. The Association Secretary is as below and might be able to help with information on the squadron. Mr G.A.G. Monk 25 Orchard Gardens Effingham Surry KT24 5NR
No it doesn’t, It’s just a generic picture of a Lancaster. It’s the same photo as loads of other Lancasters on that website.
Last post here may add some information: A/G Sgt Gerald Price, service number 1507522, 12 Sqdn. - Bombercrew.com Forum
Hi, Thanks for replying. He was born in Wrexham but was most likely living in Manchester at the time of his enlistment. regards, Stuart
Harry, Thanks for the info. The Wickenby Register has now been incorporated into the archives at Wickenby and I have been in contact with the very helpful lady there. I am hoping to visit Wickenby in the next few weeks and near by bomber memorial as well regards, Stuart.
Many many thanks for the info as I had not seen that post. I will now get in contact with my Ozzie relative. regards, Stuart
Closer inspection....... The Lancaster shown appears to have its bomb doors open.The aircraft does not have H2S bombing gear fitted while from January 1944 the aid became a standard fitting for the bomber force. There was also a limit on air speed of 170 mph for bomb door operation which could mean that the photograph frame may be a shot of a Lancaster demonstration or a shot of a day operation.
The wording is the same style for every entry, it is not a caption for the photograph. All these Lancaster entries, and hundreds more, have the same photo. There is no suggestion that the photograph on the page is of the aircraft being detailed. Avro Lancaster III (ND699 PH-P) on a mission to Stuttgart on 1944-07-29 Avro Lancaster I (ME318 AS-E) on a mission to Karlsruhe on 1945-12-05 Avro Lancaster I (LM716 AS-X) on a mission to Karlsruhe on 1945-12-05 Avro Lancaster I (NX585 AR-M) on a mission to Berchtesgaden on 1945-04-24 Avro Lancaster I (RF150 QB-W) on a mission to Harburg on 1945-04-05 Avro Lancaster I (PD320 BQ-H) on a mission to Dortmund on 1945-03-23 Avro Lancaster III (ED860 QR-N) on a mission to Bergen on 1944-10-29 Avro Lancaster III (JB719 MG-B) on a mission to Karlsruhe on 1944-04-25 Also all the Halifax entries have a photo of a 35 Squadron aircraft, coded TL, no matter which squadron the aircraft was with. It’s obvious the aircraft being discussed on the website isn’t the one in the photo. Handley Page Halifax III (LW633 KW-O) on a mission to Düsseldorf on 1944-04-23 Handley Page Halifax II (HR945 NP-Y) on a mission to Hannover on 1943-10-09