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In memory of the R. A. F. (V. R.) airmen who died as a result of a crash at Glascoed farm on 23rd January 1944. The Handley Page Halifax bomber n.. DG 358 of 116 Heavy Conversion Unit from Faldingworth was struck by lighting.
Paul Kenneth Ernest Bennett, Pilot, aged 20 of Herne Bay Albert Arthur Clark, Air Gunner, aged 22 of Little Hulton Norman Fisher, Bomb Aimer, aged 22 of Cleckheaton E. R. Gawler, Flight Engineer, aged 27 of Aberdeen David Ramsey, Flight Engineer, aged 21 of Bentley, Doncaster John Stanley Spriggs, Navigator, aged 31 of Leicester William Henry Wareham, Wireless Operator and Air Gunner, aged 20 of Chelmsford William George Wyatt, Air Gunner, aged 20 of Islington |
With the introduction of new heavy bombers, the four-engined Short Stirling, Avro Lancaster, and Handley Page Halifax, the Royal Air Force introduced heavy conversion units (HCU). These HCUs began forming in late 1941, to qualify crews trained on medium bombers to operate the heavy bombers before final posting to the operational squadrons. Some of the HCUs were involved in bombing operations over Germany.
Remark: On the panel is described the plane would belong to the 116 Heavy Conversion Unit. Most other sources tell about the 1667 HCU which was stationed in RAF Faldingworth between October 1943 until February 1944. Information about a 116 HCU couldn't be found.
Narrative:
Halifax Mk. V DG 358 "J": Written off (destroyed) on 23/01/1944 when crashed on a cross country navigation exercise in poor weather conditions. Engine failure led to a mid-air break up in cloud. Aircraft came down at Cwm Farm, Bryn y Groes, Bwlch y Fridd, Caesws, Montgomeryshire. All nine crew were killed.
Accident occurred at 14.40 hours. The official accident report form (Air Ministry Form 1180) states: "Assumed lost control in storm with icing, lightning and engine trouble, followed by structural failure, during the inquiry it was also noted that the starboard outer engine showed signs of failure, starboard wing failed upwards, starboard tail smashed, icing present.
AIB stated aircraft was flying at 20,000 feet, before crash hail storm at time, probably engine failure. Pilot descended into cloud which turned out to be storm clouds. |
Paul Kenneth Ernest Bennett |
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Rank: Service No.: Date of Birth: Date of Death: Age: Regiment: Cemetery: Add. Information: |
Flight Sergeant (Pilot) 1334810 abt. 1924 23 January 1944 20 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Herne Bay Cemetery, Kent, UK Son of Kenneth Leslie and Kathleen Anne Bennett, nee Webber,of Herne Bay. |
Albert Arthur Clark |
© Len |
Rank: Service No.: Date of Birth: Date of Death: Age: Regiment: Cemetery: Add. Information: |
Sergeant (Air Gunner) 2210061 abt. 1922 23 January 1944 22 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Salford (Weaste) Cemetery, Lancashire, UK Son of Albert Henry and Ellen Mary Clark, of Little Hulton. |
Norman Fisher |
© Martin Bentley |
Rank: Service No.: Date of Birth: Date of Death: Age: Regiment: Cemetery: Add. Information: |
Sergeant (Bomb Aimer) 1451885 abt. 1922, Bradford, West Yorkshire 23 January 1944 22 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Cleckheaton New Cemetery, Yorkshire, UK Son of Harold and Jane Ellen Fisher, of Cleckheaton. |
Ellis Robert Gawler |
© saligee |
Rank: Service No.: Date of Birth: Date of Death: Age: Regiment: Cemetery: Add. Information: |
Sergeant (Flight Engineer) 1193341 03 September 1916, Turnworth, Dorset 23 January 1944 27 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Canford Magna Church Cemetery, Dorset, UK Son of Harry and Caroline Alberta Gawler, nee Snook, of Wimborne. |
David Ramsey |
Rank: Service No.: Date of Birth: Date of Death: Age: Regiment: Cemetery: Add. Information: |
Sergeant (Flight Engineer) 1684235 abt. 1921 23 January 1944 21 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Bentley-with-Arksey New Cemetery, Yorkshire, UK Son of Joseph and Mary Ramsay, of Bentley, Doncaster. |
John Stanley Spriggs |
© Stan Murphy |
Rank: Service No.: Date of Birth: Date of Death: Age: Regiment: Cemetery: Add. Information: |
Flight Sergeant (Navigator) 1449550 abt. 1913 23 January 1944 31 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Chester (Blacon) Cemetery, Cheshire, UK Son of Dr. Neville Ivens Spriggs and Emily Jane Spriggs, nee Gimson, of Leicester, husband of Eleanor Myfanwy Spriggs. |
William Henry Wareham |
© Lost Archives Project |
© julia&keld |
Rank: Service No.: Date of Birth: Date of Death: Age: Regiment: Cemetery: Add. Information: |
Sergeant (Wireless Operator
and Air Gunner) 1319125 15 February 1923, Chelmsford, Essex 23 January 1944 20 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Chelmsford (Writtle Road) Cemetery, Essex, UK Son of William Henry and Ellen Adelaide Wareham, nee Moore, of Chelmsford. |
William George Wyatt |
Rank: Service No.: Date of Birth: Date of Death: Age: Regiment: Cemetery: Add. Information: |
Sergeant (Air Gunner) 1893144 03 March 1923, Hackney, London 23 January 1944 20 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Abney Park Cemetery, London, UK Son of William George and Florence Ethel Wyatt, nee Mills, of Islington. |
The war memorial "1914 - 1918" can be found on Lost Ancestors' Aberhafesp WW I.
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