Wath - Part 4
John Lawrence Baxter (629458)
John Lawrence Baxter was born in Rotherham in the second quarter of John Baxter and his wife of five years Emma Eliza (nee Fish). The couple lived at 185 High Street in West Melton where John was a cowman on a farm.
John Lawrence Baxter joined the Royal Air Force, service number 629458, and after training was a Sergeant with 37 Squadron. The Squadron moved to the Middle East in November 1940 and was flying the Vickers Wellington medium bomber. It was initially at Malta and then went to Egypt and was based at Shallufa from17 December 1940. On 21 February 1941 Sgt Baxter was on board Wellington IC serial number T2575/T which was on a transit flight from Luqa, Malta, it blew up in mid-air. Burning wreckage was reported falling into the sea 110 miles south east of Malta. John Lawrence Baxter was 26 years old when he died, along with the other five crew, all are commemorated on the Alamein Memorial. Note The other crew were: HOUGH Fg Off Alban Gordon William 42228 RAF BROAD Fg Off Ronald Charles William 42188 RAF SCOTT Fg Off Arthur Alexander 42943 RAF VALLER Sgt John Etheridge 624357 RAF MUIR Plt Off George Connell 82212 RAFVR |
Arthur Beaumont - 1107864
Halifax
Arthur Beaumont was the son of Harry and Florence May Beaumont. He was married in the Rother Valley Registration District in mid 1943.
Arthur enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 1107864 and was Flight
Sergeant (Wireless Operator). He served with 432 Squadron, No 6 Group, Royal Canadian Air Force which was operated by Bomber Command from airfields in Yorkshire. In 1944 the squadron was based as East Moor, about 7 miles north of York, and converted to the Handley Page Halifax heavy bomber in February 1944. On 22 March 1944 a major raid on Frankfurt with 816 aircraft - 620 Lancasters, 184 Halifaxes and 12 Mosquitos was carried out as a follow up to a raid four days previously. An indirect route was employed, time crossing the Dutch coast north of the Zuider Zee and then flying almost due south to Frankfurt. This, and the Kiel minelaying diversion, confused the Germans for some time; Hannover was forecast as the main target. Arthur’s aircraft that night was Halifax serial number LK779 with squadron markings of QO-W, and was airborne at 18:55. The
aircraft was thought to have been attacked by a night fighter, one of only a few fighters that eventually found the bomber stream. The Halifax crashed at 22:00 about 20 miles north of Frankfurt in a position 1 mile north of Philippstein and 8 miles south west of Wetzlar. It was one of 33 aircraft - 26 Lancasters and 7 Halifaxes which failed to return.
Arthur Beaumont was killed, one of five of the crew of seven who died, he now rests in Hanover War Cemetery.
Note
Other crew were:
F/L Douglas Earl Cawker RCAF J/8759 - KIA
Sgt Harold Victor John Thorne 2202529 - KIA
F/O F. R. Storen RCAF - PoW
Sgt A. K. McNeill RCAF - PoW
Sgt Harvey Albert Frizzell RCAF J/90080 - KIA
Sgt James Campbell 1821979 - KIA
Arthur enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 1107864 and was Flight
Sergeant (Wireless Operator). He served with 432 Squadron, No 6 Group, Royal Canadian Air Force which was operated by Bomber Command from airfields in Yorkshire. In 1944 the squadron was based as East Moor, about 7 miles north of York, and converted to the Handley Page Halifax heavy bomber in February 1944. On 22 March 1944 a major raid on Frankfurt with 816 aircraft - 620 Lancasters, 184 Halifaxes and 12 Mosquitos was carried out as a follow up to a raid four days previously. An indirect route was employed, time crossing the Dutch coast north of the Zuider Zee and then flying almost due south to Frankfurt. This, and the Kiel minelaying diversion, confused the Germans for some time; Hannover was forecast as the main target. Arthur’s aircraft that night was Halifax serial number LK779 with squadron markings of QO-W, and was airborne at 18:55. The
aircraft was thought to have been attacked by a night fighter, one of only a few fighters that eventually found the bomber stream. The Halifax crashed at 22:00 about 20 miles north of Frankfurt in a position 1 mile north of Philippstein and 8 miles south west of Wetzlar. It was one of 33 aircraft - 26 Lancasters and 7 Halifaxes which failed to return.
Arthur Beaumont was killed, one of five of the crew of seven who died, he now rests in Hanover War Cemetery.
Note
Other crew were:
F/L Douglas Earl Cawker RCAF J/8759 - KIA
Sgt Harold Victor John Thorne 2202529 - KIA
F/O F. R. Storen RCAF - PoW
Sgt A. K. McNeill RCAF - PoW
Sgt Harvey Albert Frizzell RCAF J/90080 - KIA
Sgt James Campbell 1821979 - KIA
Reginald Kerin Hanley - 1059834
Reginald Kerin Hanley was born in Rotherham in the first quarter of 1922, son of Kathleen Mary hanley. He lived at 3 William Street, Wath and was educated at Wath Grammar School.
He enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and became a sergeant with service number 1059834. On 21 May 1942 he was front gunner on Wellington serial number Z8589 of OADU – Overseas Aircraft Delivery (or Despatch Unit which was in transit from Gibraltar to Malta. The aircraft was lured off course by Italian 'Beam Benders'. It was then attacked by two night fighters and had to ditch. Sergeant Hanley was killed, but the rest of the crew escaped, although injured. The five survivors were adrift for six days and nights, eventually reaching Filicudi Island, a small island north of Sicily, they were then taken into captivity. Reginald Kerin Hanley was 20 years old when he died and is commemorated on the Malta Memorial.
He enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and became a sergeant with service number 1059834. On 21 May 1942 he was front gunner on Wellington serial number Z8589 of OADU – Overseas Aircraft Delivery (or Despatch Unit which was in transit from Gibraltar to Malta. The aircraft was lured off course by Italian 'Beam Benders'. It was then attacked by two night fighters and had to ditch. Sergeant Hanley was killed, but the rest of the crew escaped, although injured. The five survivors were adrift for six days and nights, eventually reaching Filicudi Island, a small island north of Sicily, they were then taken into captivity. Reginald Kerin Hanley was 20 years old when he died and is commemorated on the Malta Memorial.
Bernard James Hargreaves - 1222132
Bernard James Hargreaves was born in Rotherham on 9 August 1913 to Albert Hargreaves and his wife of eight years Ida. Albert was an underground bricklayer in a colliery and lived with his family at 57 York Street, West Melton. After leaving school Bernard was employed as Wireless Manager at Thurnscoe. Bernard James
lived at 72 Winterwell Road, West Melton, and after his marriage in 1939 to Margaret (nee Bell) lived at 10 Whyn View, Thurnscoe.
Bernard enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 1222132, and was a Flight Sergeant. He was killed on active service in a road accident at Catterick on 14 July 1942, aged 29 and is buried in Wath-Upon-Dearne Cemetery.
lived at 72 Winterwell Road, West Melton, and after his marriage in 1939 to Margaret (nee Bell) lived at 10 Whyn View, Thurnscoe.
Bernard enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 1222132, and was a Flight Sergeant. He was killed on active service in a road accident at Catterick on 14 July 1942, aged 29 and is buried in Wath-Upon-Dearne Cemetery.
William Harvey - 1596012
William Harvey was born in 1923 and his birth was registered in Rotherham in the last quarter of the year. William was the second of six children of Joshua Harvey and Constance (nee Grimshaw), who had married in 1921. William married in Staincross in 1944.
He joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 1596012 and became a Sergeant (Air Gunner) in 514 Squadron based at RAF Waterbeach in Cambridgeshire. On the night of 2/3 February 1945 Sgt Harvey was on board Avro Lancaster NN772 with squadron markings JI-C2 tasked with bombing Wiesbaden, Germany. They were one of 495 Lancasters and 12 Mosquitos of Nos 1, 3, 6 and 8 Groups to attack the city in Bomber Command's one and only large raid on Wiesbaden during the war. NN772 was on its first key operation with only 21 hours in total when it carried it’s crew over a dark hostile Europe. Airborne at 20:50 from Waterbeach they were hit by Flak and crashed at Springen, about 19 km north west from the centre of Wiesbaden. William Harvey, aged 21, was one of five of the crew who died as a result of the crash. Those killed were initially buried at Springen and have been subsequently re-interred in the Durnbach War Cemetery.
Notes
Other crew members were:
F/O W.E.McLean RCAF - J35287 - KIA
Sgt F.G.Maunder - 1851647 - KIA
F/S N.W.Nightingale – 1583975 - KIA
Sgt S.W.Moore - PoW
Sgt A.T.Blackshaw – 2204969 - was captured upon landing by parachute and executed 3 Feb 45
Sgt G.H.Berridge - was injured and confined to hospital until Liberation
Further details of the circumstances of the crash can be found in the recommendation for the pilot of a Victoria Cross:
McLEAN, F/O William Eugene (J35287) - Mention in Despatches - No.514 Squadron (deceased) - Award effective 13 June 1946 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 726/46 dated 26 July 1946. Born in Toronto, 10 January 1920; home there (aircraft assembly worker); enlisted there 25 July 1941. Trained at No.3 ITS, 2 September to 25 October 1941 (graduated 9 October 1941 when promoted to LAC), No.21 EFTS, 26 October to 20 December 1941 (graduated 19 December 1941) and No.9 SFTS, 21 December 1941 to 25 April 1942 (graduated 24 April 1942 when promoted Sergeant). Posted to No.10 AOS, Chatham, 1 June 1942; to No.9 BGS, 9 October 1942; promoted Flight Sergeant, 24 October 1942; promoted WO2, 24 April 1943; commissioned 13 September 1943; to "Y" Depot, Halifax, 29 September 1943;
arrived in Britain, 30 October 1943; considerable further training at Beam Approach and OTU units until posted to No.514 Squadron, 2 January 1945.
Killed in action 2/3 February 1945 (Lancaster NN772). Certificate sent to his mother, 21 January 1949. Public Records Office Air 2/5867 has recommendation for a Victoria Cross dated 17 June 1945 and signed by Wing Commander P.L.B. Morgan, Commanding Officer of No.514 Squadron. McLean had flown five sorties (20 hours
35 minutes).
On the night of the 2nd/3rd February 1945, the above named officer was detailed as pilot and captain of a four engined heavy bomber to attack Wiesbaden. The target was a heavily defended one, and just after the bombs had been released there was a loud explosion in the aircraft. Flying Officer McLean was then heard to ask the Flight
Engineer if the starboard inner engine had been hit. He got no reply but almost immediately he himself confirmed that it was the starboard inner engine and that it was now out of action. At this moment the Mid-Upper Gunner saw that the starboard inner engine was on fire. The air bomber, who was down in the bomb aimer's position when the explosion occurred, then came up to see if he could give any assistance. At this moment, a large piece of white-hot metal came into the aircraft and lodged between the pilot's feet just aft of the rudder bar. The Air Bomber attempted to remove this with the aid of a flying jacket, but was unable to do so. Seeing this, Flying Officer McLean ordered the crew to carry out the emergency procedure for abandoning the aircraft. Flying Officer McLean continued to control the aircraft in spite of the white hot metal, which by now was quickly setting fire to everything in its vicinity, including Flying Officer McLean's boots and clothing. Just prior to leaving his turret, the Mid-Upper
Gunner saw that the whole of the front part of the aircraft was on fire but the aircraft was still being kept steady which enabled him to reach the emergency exit and abandon the aircraft. The Air Bomber, on his way to the emergency exit, noticed the Flight Engineer lying on the floor, apparently wounded or killed, so he called for a parachute pack, which he fastened to the Flight Engineer's harness. The pilot then told them to get out quickly. The Air Bomber then noticed that Flying Officer McLean was enveloped from head to foot in flames and that the whole cockpit was on fire. He then received a blow to the stomach and fell out of the aircraft. The Air Bomber and the Mid-Upper Gunner were the only two survivors of the crew but they undoubtedly owe their lives to the outstanding bravery of the captain, Flying Officer McLean, who remained at the controls in order to steady the aircraft sufficiently to let his crew abandon it, completely disregarding his own safety and enduring what must have been extreme agony. Had he chosen, Flying Officer McLean was in a position to save himself but, crippled as the aircraft was, it is unlikely that any other members of the crew would have survived. By his action, Flying Officer McLean set the highest example for outstanding bravery and courage, sacrificing his own life in attempting to save the lives of his crew and comrades. It is a very strongly recommended that this outstanding example of heroism be recognized by the posthumous award of the Victoria Cross to Flying Officer W.E. McLean.
He joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 1596012 and became a Sergeant (Air Gunner) in 514 Squadron based at RAF Waterbeach in Cambridgeshire. On the night of 2/3 February 1945 Sgt Harvey was on board Avro Lancaster NN772 with squadron markings JI-C2 tasked with bombing Wiesbaden, Germany. They were one of 495 Lancasters and 12 Mosquitos of Nos 1, 3, 6 and 8 Groups to attack the city in Bomber Command's one and only large raid on Wiesbaden during the war. NN772 was on its first key operation with only 21 hours in total when it carried it’s crew over a dark hostile Europe. Airborne at 20:50 from Waterbeach they were hit by Flak and crashed at Springen, about 19 km north west from the centre of Wiesbaden. William Harvey, aged 21, was one of five of the crew who died as a result of the crash. Those killed were initially buried at Springen and have been subsequently re-interred in the Durnbach War Cemetery.
Notes
Other crew members were:
F/O W.E.McLean RCAF - J35287 - KIA
Sgt F.G.Maunder - 1851647 - KIA
F/S N.W.Nightingale – 1583975 - KIA
Sgt S.W.Moore - PoW
Sgt A.T.Blackshaw – 2204969 - was captured upon landing by parachute and executed 3 Feb 45
Sgt G.H.Berridge - was injured and confined to hospital until Liberation
Further details of the circumstances of the crash can be found in the recommendation for the pilot of a Victoria Cross:
McLEAN, F/O William Eugene (J35287) - Mention in Despatches - No.514 Squadron (deceased) - Award effective 13 June 1946 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 726/46 dated 26 July 1946. Born in Toronto, 10 January 1920; home there (aircraft assembly worker); enlisted there 25 July 1941. Trained at No.3 ITS, 2 September to 25 October 1941 (graduated 9 October 1941 when promoted to LAC), No.21 EFTS, 26 October to 20 December 1941 (graduated 19 December 1941) and No.9 SFTS, 21 December 1941 to 25 April 1942 (graduated 24 April 1942 when promoted Sergeant). Posted to No.10 AOS, Chatham, 1 June 1942; to No.9 BGS, 9 October 1942; promoted Flight Sergeant, 24 October 1942; promoted WO2, 24 April 1943; commissioned 13 September 1943; to "Y" Depot, Halifax, 29 September 1943;
arrived in Britain, 30 October 1943; considerable further training at Beam Approach and OTU units until posted to No.514 Squadron, 2 January 1945.
Killed in action 2/3 February 1945 (Lancaster NN772). Certificate sent to his mother, 21 January 1949. Public Records Office Air 2/5867 has recommendation for a Victoria Cross dated 17 June 1945 and signed by Wing Commander P.L.B. Morgan, Commanding Officer of No.514 Squadron. McLean had flown five sorties (20 hours
35 minutes).
On the night of the 2nd/3rd February 1945, the above named officer was detailed as pilot and captain of a four engined heavy bomber to attack Wiesbaden. The target was a heavily defended one, and just after the bombs had been released there was a loud explosion in the aircraft. Flying Officer McLean was then heard to ask the Flight
Engineer if the starboard inner engine had been hit. He got no reply but almost immediately he himself confirmed that it was the starboard inner engine and that it was now out of action. At this moment the Mid-Upper Gunner saw that the starboard inner engine was on fire. The air bomber, who was down in the bomb aimer's position when the explosion occurred, then came up to see if he could give any assistance. At this moment, a large piece of white-hot metal came into the aircraft and lodged between the pilot's feet just aft of the rudder bar. The Air Bomber attempted to remove this with the aid of a flying jacket, but was unable to do so. Seeing this, Flying Officer McLean ordered the crew to carry out the emergency procedure for abandoning the aircraft. Flying Officer McLean continued to control the aircraft in spite of the white hot metal, which by now was quickly setting fire to everything in its vicinity, including Flying Officer McLean's boots and clothing. Just prior to leaving his turret, the Mid-Upper
Gunner saw that the whole of the front part of the aircraft was on fire but the aircraft was still being kept steady which enabled him to reach the emergency exit and abandon the aircraft. The Air Bomber, on his way to the emergency exit, noticed the Flight Engineer lying on the floor, apparently wounded or killed, so he called for a parachute pack, which he fastened to the Flight Engineer's harness. The pilot then told them to get out quickly. The Air Bomber then noticed that Flying Officer McLean was enveloped from head to foot in flames and that the whole cockpit was on fire. He then received a blow to the stomach and fell out of the aircraft. The Air Bomber and the Mid-Upper Gunner were the only two survivors of the crew but they undoubtedly owe their lives to the outstanding bravery of the captain, Flying Officer McLean, who remained at the controls in order to steady the aircraft sufficiently to let his crew abandon it, completely disregarding his own safety and enduring what must have been extreme agony. Had he chosen, Flying Officer McLean was in a position to save himself but, crippled as the aircraft was, it is unlikely that any other members of the crew would have survived. By his action, Flying Officer McLean set the highest example for outstanding bravery and courage, sacrificing his own life in attempting to save the lives of his crew and comrades. It is a very strongly recommended that this outstanding example of heroism be recognized by the posthumous award of the Victoria Cross to Flying Officer W.E. McLean.
Frank Hart (631366)
Frank Hart was born in Rotherham in the last months of 1921, first child of Charles W Hart and his wife Sarah A (nee Darby). He was educated at Wath Park Road School and also Mexbro Junior Instruction Centre.
Frank joined the Royal Air Force, service number 631366, and was a Aircraftman 2nd Class (Wireless Operator) with 99 Squadron. Wellington mk IA serial number N3006 was airborne at 18:30 from Newmarket on a leaflet dropping mission, known as a “nickel” flight. It was recalled due to adverse weather but crashed 22:25 at Chalk Hill, Barton Mills, Suffolk, 11 miles SW of Thetford, Norfolk, and burst into flames. All six crew on were killed, Frank Hart was just 18 years old and is buried in Wath-Upon-Dearne Cemetery.
Frank joined the Royal Air Force, service number 631366, and was a Aircraftman 2nd Class (Wireless Operator) with 99 Squadron. Wellington mk IA serial number N3006 was airborne at 18:30 from Newmarket on a leaflet dropping mission, known as a “nickel” flight. It was recalled due to adverse weather but crashed 22:25 at Chalk Hill, Barton Mills, Suffolk, 11 miles SW of Thetford, Norfolk, and burst into flames. All six crew on were killed, Frank Hart was just 18 years old and is buried in Wath-Upon-Dearne Cemetery.
Harry Reginald Hollings - 1433950
Harry Reginald Hollings was born in Rotherham in the third quarter of 1923. He had a twin sister, and they were born to Harry Hollings and Ann Elizabeth (nee Booth) who
had married in 1910. His father was employed as a colliery deputy and the couple initially lived at 23 High St, West Melton, and later moved to Glencairn, Racecourse
Road, Swinton, Mexborough.
Harry Reginald Hollings enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 1433950. He attained the rank of Flight Sergeant and was a pilot. He was based at Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire with No 12 Ferry Unit. On 6 March 1945 Harry was ferrying a Supermarine Spitfire, serial number JK620 to the Middle East. During the flight over the Limousin region of west-central France Flt Sgt Hollings’ aircraft had engine trouble and he decided to make an emergency landing near the village of Etivaux. Unfortunately the weather was extreme with very thick fog, and the wing tip caught the ground causing the Spitfire to crash and catch fire. Harry Reginald Hollings was 21 years old and was buried in Limoges (Louyat) Communal Cemetery.
had married in 1910. His father was employed as a colliery deputy and the couple initially lived at 23 High St, West Melton, and later moved to Glencairn, Racecourse
Road, Swinton, Mexborough.
Harry Reginald Hollings enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 1433950. He attained the rank of Flight Sergeant and was a pilot. He was based at Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire with No 12 Ferry Unit. On 6 March 1945 Harry was ferrying a Supermarine Spitfire, serial number JK620 to the Middle East. During the flight over the Limousin region of west-central France Flt Sgt Hollings’ aircraft had engine trouble and he decided to make an emergency landing near the village of Etivaux. Unfortunately the weather was extreme with very thick fog, and the wing tip caught the ground causing the Spitfire to crash and catch fire. Harry Reginald Hollings was 21 years old and was buried in Limoges (Louyat) Communal Cemetery.
Kenneth Kendall - 2207084
Kenneth Kendall was the son of John and Annie Kendall, the family was originally from Everton, Nottinghamshire.
Kenneth enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 2207084, and became Sergeant with 1662 Heavy Conversion Unit. On 14 August 1943 he was part of the crew of Lancaster III serial number ED378 which took off at 14:00 from its base at Blyton for bombing practice and cross-country. The route was Blyton – Alston – Mull of Galloway – St David’s Head – 53 40’N 3 35’W – Newbury - Bury St Edmunds – Blyton, it was last heard from off the Mull of Galloway at 16:15. Weather conditions were reported as good, although another pilot reported some icing above 8,000 feet. The Lancaster then went missing without trace and the eight man crew are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. Kenneth Kendal was 19 years old when he went missing.
Note
The other crew members are:
37580 W/C A W T Traill DFC
1670757 Sgt E Middleton
R/110876 F/S P Tomchyshyn RCAF
411383 F/O S J Ricketts DFC RAAF
1435614 Sgt D Smith
656822 Sgt W K Witham
1296693 Sgt D E Griffiths
W/C Traill's DFC was awarded in 1939 for service in the North West Frontier; F/O Ricketts was the air bomber instructor; his DFC was gained with 460 Squadron.
Kenneth enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 2207084, and became Sergeant with 1662 Heavy Conversion Unit. On 14 August 1943 he was part of the crew of Lancaster III serial number ED378 which took off at 14:00 from its base at Blyton for bombing practice and cross-country. The route was Blyton – Alston – Mull of Galloway – St David’s Head – 53 40’N 3 35’W – Newbury - Bury St Edmunds – Blyton, it was last heard from off the Mull of Galloway at 16:15. Weather conditions were reported as good, although another pilot reported some icing above 8,000 feet. The Lancaster then went missing without trace and the eight man crew are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. Kenneth Kendal was 19 years old when he went missing.
Note
The other crew members are:
37580 W/C A W T Traill DFC
1670757 Sgt E Middleton
R/110876 F/S P Tomchyshyn RCAF
411383 F/O S J Ricketts DFC RAAF
1435614 Sgt D Smith
656822 Sgt W K Witham
1296693 Sgt D E Griffiths
W/C Traill's DFC was awarded in 1939 for service in the North West Frontier; F/O Ricketts was the air bomber instructor; his DFC was gained with 460 Squadron.
Thomas Leo Lyons - 624994
Thomas Leo Lyons was born in Barnsley in the final months of 1914 to Patrick Lyons and Mary Ellen (nee Timlin). The couple who were originally from Ireland had married in The Wirral in 1909 and by 1911 were living at 9 Bond St Wombwell. Patrick was a coal miner, and later lived with his family at 38 Beech Road, Wath. Thomas was educated at Wath St Joseph’s RC School and Mexbro Secondary School.
Thomas enlisted in the Royal Air Force, service number 624994, and became as Flight Sergeant (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) flying with 15 Operational Training Unit. In 1942 Arthur Harris, the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Bomber Command decided that we wanted to send the biggest force ever assemble to one target. This prompted the Thousand bomber raid when on the night of 30/31 May 1942 a total of 1,047 aircraft were dispatched to Cologne. To achieve this number he needed to get just about every available bomber aircraft in the air. Over one third of the force come from the Operational Training Units, this included Thomas and his fellow crew members in Wellington serial number R1791. The aircraft was airborne from Harwell at 23:14, and was believed to have been shot down at 02:46 by Lt Niklas, 6./NJG1, crashing at Marchienne (Hainaut), in the SW outskirts of Charleroi, Belgium. Two of the crew survived, the pilot became a prisoner of war, and another crew member managed to evade. Thomas Leo Lyons was 27 years old when he died and was buried in Charleroi Communal Cemetery.
Note
1000 Bomber Raid on Cologne
Aircraft totals: 602
Wellingtons, 131 Halifaxes, 88 Stirlings, 79 Hampdens, 73 Lancasters, 46 Manchesters, 28 Whitleys = 1,047 aircraft
The exact number of aircraft claiming to have bombed Cologne is in doubt; the Official History says 898 aircraft bombed but Bomber Command's Night Bombing Sheets indicate that 868 aircraft bombed the main target with 15 aircraft bombing other targets. The total tonnage of bombs was 1,455, two-thirds of this tonnage being incendiaries. German records show that 2,500 separate fires were started, of which the local fire brigade classed 1,700 as large. Property damage in the raid totalled 3,330 buildings destroyed, 2,090 seriously damaged and 7,420 lightly damaged. More than 90 per cent of this damage was caused by fire rather than high-explosive bombs. Among the above total of 12,840 buildings were 2,560 industrial and commercial buildings, though many of these were small ones. However, 36 large firms suffered complete loss of production, 70 suffered 50-80 per cent loss and 222 up to 50 per cent. The estimates of casualties in Cologne are, unusually, quite precise. Figures quoted for deaths vary only between 469 and 486. The 469 figure comprises 411 civilians and 58 military casualties, mostly members of Flak units. 5,027 people were listed as injured and 45,132 as bombed out.
The RAF lost 41 aircraft which were: 29 Wellingtons, 4 Manchesters, 3 Halifaxes, 2 Stirlings, 1 Hampden, 1 Lancaster, 1 Whitley, 3.9 per cent of the bombing force.
Bomber Command later estimated that 22 aircraft were lost over or near Cologne - 16 shot down by Flak, 4 by night fighters and 2 in a collision; most of the other losses
were due to night-fighter action in the radar boxes between the coast and Cologne.
Thomas enlisted in the Royal Air Force, service number 624994, and became as Flight Sergeant (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) flying with 15 Operational Training Unit. In 1942 Arthur Harris, the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Bomber Command decided that we wanted to send the biggest force ever assemble to one target. This prompted the Thousand bomber raid when on the night of 30/31 May 1942 a total of 1,047 aircraft were dispatched to Cologne. To achieve this number he needed to get just about every available bomber aircraft in the air. Over one third of the force come from the Operational Training Units, this included Thomas and his fellow crew members in Wellington serial number R1791. The aircraft was airborne from Harwell at 23:14, and was believed to have been shot down at 02:46 by Lt Niklas, 6./NJG1, crashing at Marchienne (Hainaut), in the SW outskirts of Charleroi, Belgium. Two of the crew survived, the pilot became a prisoner of war, and another crew member managed to evade. Thomas Leo Lyons was 27 years old when he died and was buried in Charleroi Communal Cemetery.
Note
1000 Bomber Raid on Cologne
Aircraft totals: 602
Wellingtons, 131 Halifaxes, 88 Stirlings, 79 Hampdens, 73 Lancasters, 46 Manchesters, 28 Whitleys = 1,047 aircraft
The exact number of aircraft claiming to have bombed Cologne is in doubt; the Official History says 898 aircraft bombed but Bomber Command's Night Bombing Sheets indicate that 868 aircraft bombed the main target with 15 aircraft bombing other targets. The total tonnage of bombs was 1,455, two-thirds of this tonnage being incendiaries. German records show that 2,500 separate fires were started, of which the local fire brigade classed 1,700 as large. Property damage in the raid totalled 3,330 buildings destroyed, 2,090 seriously damaged and 7,420 lightly damaged. More than 90 per cent of this damage was caused by fire rather than high-explosive bombs. Among the above total of 12,840 buildings were 2,560 industrial and commercial buildings, though many of these were small ones. However, 36 large firms suffered complete loss of production, 70 suffered 50-80 per cent loss and 222 up to 50 per cent. The estimates of casualties in Cologne are, unusually, quite precise. Figures quoted for deaths vary only between 469 and 486. The 469 figure comprises 411 civilians and 58 military casualties, mostly members of Flak units. 5,027 people were listed as injured and 45,132 as bombed out.
The RAF lost 41 aircraft which were: 29 Wellingtons, 4 Manchesters, 3 Halifaxes, 2 Stirlings, 1 Hampden, 1 Lancaster, 1 Whitley, 3.9 per cent of the bombing force.
Bomber Command later estimated that 22 aircraft were lost over or near Cologne - 16 shot down by Flak, 4 by night fighters and 2 in a collision; most of the other losses
were due to night-fighter action in the radar boxes between the coast and Cologne.
© IWM (C 2615) Vertical aerial photograph taken during Operation MILLENNIUM, the 'Thousand-bomber' raid on Cologne, Germany 30/31 May 1942. The tracks of a mass of concentrated searchlights and tracer bullets from anti-aircraft fire cover the larger area of the picture as the first bombs explode on the city (lower left).
Thomas Herbert Myers - 39893
Thomas Herbert Myers was granted short service commissions in the Royal Air Force as anActing Pilot Officer on probation with effect from 5 July 1937. His appointed to Pilot officer was confirmed on 10 August 1938 and to Flying Officer 10 May 1940. Eventually Thomas Herbert Myers, service number 39893, was promoted to Flight Lieutenant. Thomas Herbert Myers flew with 114 Squadron in the Bristol Blenheim, part of Coastal Command. On 18 April 1941 Blenheim serial number T2276 took off from its base at Thornaby for an attack on shipping off the Norwegian coast, it failed to return and is believed to have been shot down by Me110 off Farsund. The body of one of the crew was found and buried at Sola Churchyard, Thomas Myers was commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Frank George Peploe - 1549732
Halifax
Frank George Peploe was born on 18 December 1921 in Wath-on-Dearne, first child of Frank George Peploe and Ethel May (nee Staveley) who had married the year before.
Frank joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 1549732, and was a Sergeant with 158 Squadron. The squadron had been equipped with the Handley Page Haliax since mid-1942 and had been based at Lissett, just
south of Bridlington from February 1943. On the 27 September 1943 Bomber Command sent 678 aircraft (312 Lancasters, 231 Halifaxes, 111 Stirlings, 24 Wellingtons and 5 B-17s) to Hannover. Sgt Peploe was part of the seven man crew of Halifax JN905 with squadron markings of NP-L, which was airborne at 19:34. The aircraft was lost without trace and Frank George Peploe, aged 21, and the rest of the crew are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Note
The other crew members were:
Sgt Peter Henry Payne – 1231503, aged 21
Sgt William Joseph Patterson -644823
F/O William Jerome Erly RCAF – J/9574
F/O Milton Horkheimer – 132659
Sgt James Reid Murray - 979186
Sgt Leslie John Dawkins – 1811130, aged 19
Frank joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 1549732, and was a Sergeant with 158 Squadron. The squadron had been equipped with the Handley Page Haliax since mid-1942 and had been based at Lissett, just
south of Bridlington from February 1943. On the 27 September 1943 Bomber Command sent 678 aircraft (312 Lancasters, 231 Halifaxes, 111 Stirlings, 24 Wellingtons and 5 B-17s) to Hannover. Sgt Peploe was part of the seven man crew of Halifax JN905 with squadron markings of NP-L, which was airborne at 19:34. The aircraft was lost without trace and Frank George Peploe, aged 21, and the rest of the crew are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Note
The other crew members were:
Sgt Peter Henry Payne – 1231503, aged 21
Sgt William Joseph Patterson -644823
F/O William Jerome Erly RCAF – J/9574
F/O Milton Horkheimer – 132659
Sgt James Reid Murray - 979186
Sgt Leslie John Dawkins – 1811130, aged 19
Jack Picton - 658095
Jack Picton was born in Rotherham in the fourth quarter of 1917 to miner Horace Picton and Lucy (nee Tasker). The couple who married in 1904 lived at 8 West Street, Wath On Dearne, Yorkshire. He was married in late 1940 in the Rother Valley registration district and lived at 95 Oak Road, Wath.
Jack enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and became a Sergeant, service number 658095. After training as an air bomber he joined 90 Squadron, which was based at West Wickham (later in 1943 to be known as Wratting Common), Cambridgeshire. The squadron part of 3 Group operated the Short Stirling heavy bomber on night raids. On 22 June 1943 Sgt Picton was part of the crew of a mk III Stirling serial number BK804 with squadron marking of WP-J which was tasked to Mulheim in Germany. That night 557 aircraft - 242 Lancasters, 155 Halifaxes, 93 Stirlings, 55 Wellingtons, 12 Mosquitos were dispatched to the city. Picton’s aircraft was airborne at 23:26 and crashed at near the railway station at Duisburg-Beek with four of the crew still in it, although the cause of the loss was not established. It was one of two aircraft from 90 Squadron that were lost that night out of a total of 35 aircraft – 12 Halifaxes, 11 Stirlings, 8 Lancasters, 4 Wellintons – that did not return. Jack Picton was one of the four crew members that did not get out of the aircraft and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, aged 25.
Note
F/S James Allan Robson, 1044114 – Pilot – KIA, aged 23
Sgt Newell Graham, 1289237 - Flight Engineer – Murdered, aged 33
Sgt Guy Kipling, 657159 – Navigator– KIA, aged 24
Sgt Daniel Sanders, 1196410 - Wireless Operator) Murdered, aged 23
Sgt Clifford Richard Fenwick, 522339 - Mid Upper Gunner - KIA
Sgt Reginald Hammond, 1335044 - Air Gunner - Murdered
Sergeants Graham, Hammond and Sanders parachuted to what they must have thought was safety but were captured and then shot by Ortsgruppenleiter Willi Lugger assisted by Willi Henk and a man called Bollert.
Jack enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and became a Sergeant, service number 658095. After training as an air bomber he joined 90 Squadron, which was based at West Wickham (later in 1943 to be known as Wratting Common), Cambridgeshire. The squadron part of 3 Group operated the Short Stirling heavy bomber on night raids. On 22 June 1943 Sgt Picton was part of the crew of a mk III Stirling serial number BK804 with squadron marking of WP-J which was tasked to Mulheim in Germany. That night 557 aircraft - 242 Lancasters, 155 Halifaxes, 93 Stirlings, 55 Wellingtons, 12 Mosquitos were dispatched to the city. Picton’s aircraft was airborne at 23:26 and crashed at near the railway station at Duisburg-Beek with four of the crew still in it, although the cause of the loss was not established. It was one of two aircraft from 90 Squadron that were lost that night out of a total of 35 aircraft – 12 Halifaxes, 11 Stirlings, 8 Lancasters, 4 Wellintons – that did not return. Jack Picton was one of the four crew members that did not get out of the aircraft and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, aged 25.
Note
F/S James Allan Robson, 1044114 – Pilot – KIA, aged 23
Sgt Newell Graham, 1289237 - Flight Engineer – Murdered, aged 33
Sgt Guy Kipling, 657159 – Navigator– KIA, aged 24
Sgt Daniel Sanders, 1196410 - Wireless Operator) Murdered, aged 23
Sgt Clifford Richard Fenwick, 522339 - Mid Upper Gunner - KIA
Sgt Reginald Hammond, 1335044 - Air Gunner - Murdered
Sergeants Graham, Hammond and Sanders parachuted to what they must have thought was safety but were captured and then shot by Ortsgruppenleiter Willi Lugger assisted by Willi Henk and a man called Bollert.
George Edward Rawson - 572735
George Edward Rawson was born in Rotherham in late 1921, fourth child of Joseph Edward Rawson and Elsie Edith (nee Bailey). The family originally lived at 54 York Street, West Melton and later at 84 High Street, West Melton.
George enlisted in the Royal Air Force, service number 572735. He was part of the 36th entry of apprentices at RAF Halton in August 1937 and graduated in December 1939, and after further training as a Flight Engineer served with 76 Squadron. The squadron operated as part of Bomber Command’s 4 Group from Linton-on-Ouse near York flying the Handley Page Halifax. On 20 November 1942 the largest raid to Italy during this period of the war was sent to Turin. A total of 232 aircraft - 86 Lancasters, 54 Wellingtons, 47 Halifaxes, 45 Stirlings – were dispatched to the city. George, who was a Sergeant at that time, was part of the crew of Halifax mk II serial number DT571 with squadron codings of MP-M which was airborne at 17:19. The aircraft crashed at Bardonecchia, close to the Italy/French border, and roughly 75 km west of Turin. Although the cause of loss has not been definitively established, it was claimed shot down by Capitano Scaglierini belonged to the 233 Squadriglia, 59 Gruppo BT flying a Fiat CR 42CN night-fighter. It was one of only three aircraft lost, 1 Halifax, 1 Stirling, 1 Wellington. George Edward Rawson and the rest of the crew were all killed in the crash, he was 21 years old and is now buried in Milan War Cemetery. Notes The other crew member on the aircraft were: F/S Bruce Alexander Wisely RNZAF 412779 – Pilot , aged 29 P/O Peter James Morice 120569 – Navigator, aged 37 Sgt Joseph Warren 1199627 – Observer (Air Bomber) Sgt William Grant Stewart McAsh 1128271 - Wireless Operator, aged 26 Sgt Terence William Henry Casbolt 1467115 – Air Gunner, aged 21 Sgt John Murchison 1126541 – Air Gunner |
Percy Stamper - 1492841
Percy Stamper was born in Rotherham in the second quarter of 1921, son of Clarence Stamper and his wife of three years Mary (nee Haley). Bertha Greenall in early 1940, the marriage produced a son and daughter.
Percy enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 1492841, and was a Sergeant (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner). He flew with 102 Squadron which in mid-1944 was based at Pocklington near York flying the Handley Page Halifax heavy bomber. On 16 June 1944 he was part of the crew of Halifax MZ652 with squadron markings on DY-Z, which was airborne at 23:04 to attack the synthetic-oil plant at Sterkrade/Holten despite a poor weather forecast. It was part of a force of 321 aircraft - 162 Halifaxes, 147 Lancasters, 12 Mosquitos - of Nos 1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups. The RAF sent another large force of 405 aircraft to attack flying bomb sites in the Pas-de-Calais that same night.
The synthetic-oil plant target was found to be covered by thick cloud and the Pathfinder markers quickly disappeared. The Main Force crews could do little but bomb on to the diminishing glow of the markers in the cloud. RAF photographic reconnaissance and German reports agree that most of the bombing was scattered, although some bombs did fall in the plant area, but with little effect upon production. Unfortunately, the route of the bomber stream passed near a German night-fighter beacon at Bocholt, only 30 miles from Sterkrade. The German controller had chosen this beacon as the holding point for his night fighters. Approximately 21 bombers were shot down by fighters and a further 10 by flak. 22 of the lost aircraft were Halifaxes, these losses being 13.6 percent of the 162 Halifaxes on the raid.
Percy Stamper’s aircraft was lost that night, 17 June 1944 with the death of all seven crew. The cause of loss and the crash site have not established, but Percy was buried Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, aged 23.
Percy enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 1492841, and was a Sergeant (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner). He flew with 102 Squadron which in mid-1944 was based at Pocklington near York flying the Handley Page Halifax heavy bomber. On 16 June 1944 he was part of the crew of Halifax MZ652 with squadron markings on DY-Z, which was airborne at 23:04 to attack the synthetic-oil plant at Sterkrade/Holten despite a poor weather forecast. It was part of a force of 321 aircraft - 162 Halifaxes, 147 Lancasters, 12 Mosquitos - of Nos 1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups. The RAF sent another large force of 405 aircraft to attack flying bomb sites in the Pas-de-Calais that same night.
The synthetic-oil plant target was found to be covered by thick cloud and the Pathfinder markers quickly disappeared. The Main Force crews could do little but bomb on to the diminishing glow of the markers in the cloud. RAF photographic reconnaissance and German reports agree that most of the bombing was scattered, although some bombs did fall in the plant area, but with little effect upon production. Unfortunately, the route of the bomber stream passed near a German night-fighter beacon at Bocholt, only 30 miles from Sterkrade. The German controller had chosen this beacon as the holding point for his night fighters. Approximately 21 bombers were shot down by fighters and a further 10 by flak. 22 of the lost aircraft were Halifaxes, these losses being 13.6 percent of the 162 Halifaxes on the raid.
Percy Stamper’s aircraft was lost that night, 17 June 1944 with the death of all seven crew. The cause of loss and the crash site have not established, but Percy was buried Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, aged 23.