"Knowledge not shared....is history lost forever!"

626 Squadron's Lost Lancasters

An alphabetical list of the Squadron's lost aircraft

"I don't want any grieving over me, for what better way can a man die, than fighting for the people and the things he loves."  Edinburgh born F/O William David Wilson, a pilot of 626 Squadron, who died on the 21st of July 1944.

DV177  UM-K2    24/25th April 1944   

WO2 M.L. McPherson RCAF,  F/Sgt J.D. Mayger,  P/O F.W. Gunn,  F/Sgt J.L. Shell, Sgt D. Randle, WO1 R.E.H. Cameron RCAF, Sgt E.J. Fancy  

DV177 was a Mk.111 and was delivered to No.12 Sqdn 24 Jun 43. Took part in the following Key Operations. With No.12 Sqdn as PH- K2, Cologne 3/4Jul43; Turin 12/13Jul43; Hamburg 24/25Jul43; Hamburg 2/3Aug43; Peenemunde 17/18Aug43; Berlin 3/4Sep43; Mannheim 23/24Sep43; Hanover 18/19Oct43. 

No operations until with No.626 Sqdn as UM-K2 against Karlsruhe 24/25Apr44. Lost on return. 626 Sqdn was formed from a nucleus of 12 Sqdn 'C' Flight and personnel 7 Nov 43. DV177 was one of three 626 Sqdn Lancasters lost on this operation. See: DV244; ED424. Airborne 2152 24 Apr 44 from Wickenby. Homebound, regained the East Anglia coast, only to be intercepted and shot down by an Intruder, crashing 0410 25Apr44 close to Boxted Airfield, some 5 miles N of Colchester, Essex. F/Sgt Mayger is buried in Glasgow Western Necropolis and Sgt Fancy in Lytchett Minster Churchyard. The rest were taken to Brookwood Military Cemetery. WO2 M.L. McPherson RCAF KIA, F/Sgt J.D. Mayger KIA, P/O F.W. Gunn KIA, F/Sgt J.L. Shell KIA, Sgt D. Randle KIA, WO1 R.E.H. Cameron RCAF KIA, Sgt E.J. Fancy KIA.

Hi Tom,   I found the following Luftwaffe claim for Lancaster DV177, from Theo Boiten's Nachtjagd War Diaries Vol 2.
Uffz Beier   6./KG51      5-15 km. S Diss (1357)   0.358.      Best Wishes,  Mike Harrison Jan 4th 2011

DV190 UM-B2     Berlin 1st/2nd January 1944  

Sgt E. Berry, Sgt E. Atkinson, Sgt J.B. Edwards, Sgt R.H. Doull, Sgt S. Henderson, Sgt V.N.Trayler, Sgt J. Waters

DV190 was initially delivered to No.12 Sqdn (PH-B2) 7Jul43. Took part in the following Key Operations. Turin 12/13Jul43; Hamburg 24/25Jul43; Hamburg 2/3Aug43 on which the aircraft was forced into a spin by a violent storm, Flight Engineer was knocked out and ailerons torn off but returned to base safely. Berlin 3/4Sep43; Mannheim 23/24Sep43. To No.626 Sqdn (no date), Berlin 1/2Jan44 - Lost. Airborne 0016 2Jan44 from Wickenby. Cause of loss not established, crashed at Gardelegen. Those killed are buried in the 1939-1945 Charlottenburg War Cemetery, Berlin. Sgt E.Berry KIA, Sgt E.Atkinson KIA, Sgt J.B.Edwards Inj, Sgt R.H.Doull KIA, Sgt S.Henderson KIA, Sgt V.N.Trayler KIA, Sgt J.Waters KIA. Sgt J.B.Edwards was confined in Hospital due to injuries. 

DV244  UM-L2      24/25th April 1944   

WO2 V.H. Bernyk RCAF, Sgt J. Wilson,  WO2 G.H. Bainbridge RCAF,  F/O P.F. Korbyl RCAF, Sgt J.G. Hodge, F/S G.H. Davies,  F/S R.H. Crystal 

DV244 was a Mk.111 and was delivered to 12 Sqdn Aug43, to the newly formed 626 Sqdn 7Nov43. Took part in the following Key Operations: With No.12 Sqdn as PH-E, Berlin 3/4Sep43; Mannheim23/24Sep43; Hannover 18/19Oct43. With No.626 Sqdn as UM-L2 Karlsruhe 24/25Apr44-Lost 626 Sqdn was formed at Wickenby from 12 Sqdn 'C' Flight 7Nov43. When lost this aircraft had a total of 205 hours. DV244 was one of three 626 Sqdn Lancasters lost on this operation. See: DV177; ED424. Airborne 2123 24Apr44 from Wickenby. Shot down by a night-fighter and crashed at Plittersdorf, 6 km NW of Rastatt. all are buried in Durnbach War Cemetery. WO2 V.H. Bernyk RCAF KIA, Sgt J.Wilson KIA, WO2 G.H.Bainbridge RCAF KIA, F/O P.F.Korbyl RCAF KIA, Sgt J.G.Hodge KIA, F/S G.H.Davies KIA, F/S R.H.Crystal KIA. "

DV281  UM-D2   3rd May 1944  

F/S P.J.W. Barkway RCAF,  Sgt F.W. Burton, WO2 R.D. Weller RCAF,  Sgt G.A. Coote, Sgt J.W. Hooper, Sgt O. Molzan RCAF, Sgt R.E. Hogan 

DV281 was one of three 626 Sqdn Lancasters lost on this operation. See: LL753; EE148. Airborne 2157 3May44 from Wickenby to attack the military camp. Crashed, a few minutes after bombing, at the village of St-Remy- sous-Barbuise (Aube), 22 km N of Troyes. All are buried in the little churchyard at St-Rmy-sous-Barbuise alongside nine other Bomber Command airmen who were killed on the same operation. F/S P.J.W. Barkway RCAF KIA, Sgt F.W. Burton KIA, WO2 R.D. Weller RCA KIA, Sgt G.A. Coote KIA, Sgt J.W. Hooper KIA, Sgt O. Molzan RCAF KIA, Sgt R.E. Hogan KIA "

Barkway, Percy James William - 626 (RAF) Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force - St. Remy Sous Barbuise Churchyard

Burton, Frederick William - 626 Sqdn. - St. Remy-Sous-Barbuise Churchyard

Coote, George Alfred - 626 Sqdn. - St. Remy-Sous-Barbuise Churchyard

Forden, Hilton Hardcastle - Royal Australian Air Force - St. Remy-Sous-Barbuise Churchyard

Hogan, Russell Eugene - 626 Sqdn. - St. Remy-Sous-Barbuise Churchyard

Hooper, John William - 626 Sqdn. - St. Remy-Sous-Barbuise Churchyard

Weller, Ronald Duncan - 626 (RAF) Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force - St. Remy Sous Barbuise Churchyard

DV295 26/27th November 1943   

F/S K.N. Windus RAAF, Sgt R. Lloyd, Sgt C.F. Martin, Sgt F.W. Thompson,  F/S M.A. Macfarlane RAAF, Sgt J. Welsh,  Sgt R.G. May 

DV295 was a Mk.1 and was delivered to 12 Sqdn 27Aug43, to 100 Sqdn 1Sep43, to the newly formed No.626 Sqdn 7Nov43. Took part in the following Key Operations. With No.12 Sqdn no operations. With No.100 Sqdn as HW-L; Berlin 3/4Sep43; Hannover 18/19Oct43. With No.626 Sqdn as UM-M2, Berlin 26/27Nov43-crashed on return. DV295 was one of three 626 Sqdn Lancasters lost on this operation. See: DV388; LM362.These three aircraft were the first casualties suffered by the Sqdn since its formation. Airborne 1715 26Nov43 from Wickenby. On return, overshot and crashed 0113 27Nov43 at Barton Bendish while trying to land at RAF Marham, Norfolk. Five, including both Commonwealth airmen, are buried in Cambridge City Cemetery. Sgt Thompson and Sgt Welsh were taken to their homes for burial. F/S K.N.Windus RAAF KIA Sgt R.Lloyd KIA Sgt C.F.Martin KIA Sgt F.W.Thompson KIA F/S M.A.Macfarlane RAAF KIA Sgt J.Welsh KIA Sgt R.G.May KIA "

To the south, in rural Norfolk, at RAF Marham, F/Sgt Windus tried to bring Lancaster DV295 in to land. Whether he was wounded, tired or the aircraft was shot up and hard to handle will never be known ... He overshot the runway and crashed at 1:14 in the morning; he and all his crew were killed. 

From 'To Strive and not to Yield' by Dennis West

Memorials in Portsmouth War Graves - Kingston Cemetery

THOMPSON, Frederick William, Sergeant (Air Bomber) 658258,  626 Sqdn., Royal Air Force. Died: 27 November 1943. Age 25.  Son of Fred and Adelaide Georgia Thompson, of Portsmouth. 

DV388  26th November 1943  - 626 Squadron's first casualties

F/S C.J.E Kindt RCAF,  Sgt J.A. Callaway, F/s J.R.R. Small RCAF, Sgt A.S. MacDonald RCAF, Sgt T.G. Brady, Sgt C. Johnson,  Sgt F. Matthews

DV388 was a Mk.1 and was delivered to the newly formed 626 Sqdn 19Nov43. Lost on its first operation with a total of 7 hours. DV388 was one of three 626 Sqdn Lancasters lost on this operation. See: DV295; LM362. These three aircraft were the first losses suffered by 626 Sqdn since it formed 7Nov44. Airborne 1723 26Nov43 from Wickenby. Crashed at Finow, where all were buried 29Nov43. They have been subsequently re-interred in the Berlin 19939-45 War Cemetery. their average age was 22, with Sgt MacDonald, who held a BSc Degree in Forestry from the University of New Brunswick, the eldest. F/S C.J.E Kindt RCAF KIA, Sgt J.A.Callaway KIA, F/s J.R.R.Small RCAF KIA, Sgt A.S.MacDonald RCAF KIA, Sgt T.G.Brady KIA, Sgt C.Johnson KIA, Sgt F.Matthews KIA

F/Sgt Kindt took off with the rest of the Squadron at 1723Hrs in DV388 and was never to return. All crewmembers were killed when their Lancaster was shot down either by flak or a night-fighter near Finow, about 20 miles northeast of Berlin. They must have bombed the target but been caught as they turned to port and westwards to start the flight home.   'To Strive and not to Yield' by Dennis West

DV390  29th November 1943

Lost on cross-country training flight - Crashed at RAF Coltishall in Norfolk and was written off. No injuries reported.

ED424 UM-E2    24/25th April 1944 

F/S F.B. Baker, Sgt F.C. Kimber,  F/S E.G.M. Eyres, Sgt J.H. McVey,  F/S R.G. Craddock,  Sgt B.M. Kimber, Sgt F. Skelly 

ED424 was a Mk.111 and was delivered to No.12 Sqdn 14May43. To 626 Sqdn, newly formed from 12 Sqdn 'C'Flight, 7Nov43. Took part in the following Key Operations: With No.12 Sqdn as GZ-E, Dortmund 23/24may43; Dusseldorf 25/26may43; Oberhausen 14/15Jun43; As PH-E2, Turin 12/13Jul43; Peenemunde 17/18Aug43; Mannheim 23/24Sep43. To No.626 Sqdn, lost on its first operation to Karlsruhe 24/25 Apr44. ED424 was one of three 626 Sqdn Lancasters lost on this operation. See: DV177; DV244. Airborne 2113 24apr44 from Wickenby. shot down by a night-fighter and crashed at Hagenau (Bas-Rhin), a large town on the southern fringes of the Forest de Hagenau at about 14 km of its nearest point to the Rhine and the Franco-German border. 

All are buried in Hagenau French National Cemetery. Pilot F/S F.B. Baker KIA, Flight Engineer Sgt F.C. Kimber KIA, Navigator F/S E.G.M. Eyres KIA, Bomb Aimer Sgt J.H. McVey KIA, Wireless Operator F/Sgt R.G. Craddock KIA, Mid Upper Gunner Sgt B.M. Kimber KIA, Rear Gunner Sgt F. Skelly KIA   

F/Sgt Ronald Gerrard Craddock's wife Vera of Fulwell, Sunderland, Co. Durham, was on duty in Wickenby Control Room that night. This crew was only posted in to RAF Wickenby from 1667 Conversion Unit on April 16th. 

Buried at Haguenau French National Cemetery (Bas Rhin France)

BAKER FREDERICK BASIL
United Kingdom Flight Sergeant (Pilot) Royal Air Force 626 Sqdn. Age: 25 Date of Death: 25/04/1944 Service No: 656153

CRADDOCK RONALD GERRARD
United Kingdom Flight Sergeant (W.Op./Air Gnr.) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 626 Sqdn. Age: 21 Date of Death: 25/04/1944 Service No: 1575892

EYRES ERIC GORDON MORRICE
United Kingdom Flight Sergeant (Nav.) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 626 Sqdn. Date of Death: 25/04/1944 Service No: 1394192

KIMBER BERNARD MICHAEL
United Kingdom Sergeant (Air Gnr.) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 626 Sqdn. Age: 19 Date of Death: 25/04/1944 Service No: 1592750

KIMBER FREDERICK CHARLES
United Kingdom Sergeant (Flt. Engr.) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 626 Sqdn. Date of Death: 25/04/1944 Service No: 1835657

McVEY JOHN HAROLD
United Kingdom Sergeant (Air Bomber) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 626 Sqdn. Age: 21 Date of Death: 25/04/1944 Service No: 1556369

SKELLY FRANK
United Kingdom Sergeant (Air Gnr.) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 626 Sqdn. Age: 31 Date of Death: 25/04/1944 Service No: 1629697

City of Dundee Roll of Honour World War II – 1939 to 1945

1629697 Sergeant Frank Skelly, age 31 of 13 Ogilvie's Road. Son of John and Mary Skelly; husband of Lilian Ada Skelly of Luton.

My great uncle Frederick (Freddy) Charles Kimber flew with 626 Sqn as a flight engineer and was downed and killed on the 25th April 1944 (I believe it was 626 Sqn's last operational sortie!) while trying to bomb Baden-Baden. It would be great to hear from anyone who has a relation who flew with my great uncle in Lancaster ED424 UM-E2.

Paul Trickett, Scotland.      July 30, 2008     p_trickett@hotmail.com

EE148  UM-S2     3rd May 1944 

P/O N.J. Fisher,  Sgt J. Waites, Sgt N. Hatton,  F/O K.T. Larman, Sgt V.R. Roper,  Sgt H.M. Crooks,  Sgt R.F. Godfrey 

EE148 was a Mk.111 and was delivered to No.617 Sqdn 4Jun43, transferred to the newly formed 626 Sqdn 10Nov43. Took part in the following Key Operations. With 617 Sqdn as AJ- U, San Polo D'Enza (flown by F/L J.C.McArthy, DSO, DFC, RCAF); Leghorn 24/25Jul43. With No.626 Sqdn as UM-S2. No other operations, Mailley-le-Camp 3/4May44-Lost. EE148 was one of three 626 Sqdn Lancasters lost on this operation. See: DV281; LL753. Airborne 2208 

3May44 from Wickenby to attack the military camp. Shot down by a night-fighter whilst homebound, and crashed at Montigny-le-Guesdier (Seine-et-Marne) some 4 km SSE of Bray-sur- Seine. All are buried in Montigny-le-Guesdier Communal Cemetery. The brother of P/O Fisher, Kenneth George Fisher, also lost his life on Active Service. P/O N.J.Fisher KIA, Sgt J.Waites KIA, Sgt N.Hatton KIA, F/O K.T.Larman KIA, Sgt V.R.Roper KIA, Sgt H.M.Crooks KIA, Sgt R.F.Godfrey KIA.

MONTIGNY le GUESDIER Communal Cemetery (Seine et Marne France)

CROOKS, HOWARD MEASOR
United Kingdom Sergeant (Flt. Engr.) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 626 Sqdn. Age: 19 Date of Death: 04/05/1944 Service No: 1591244 (3)

FISHER, NORMAN JAMES
United Kingdom Pilot Officer (Pilot) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 626 Sqdn. Age: 29 Date of Death: 04/05/1944 Service No: 170281 (7)

GODFREY, ROBERT FREDERICK
United Kingdom Sergeant (Air Gnr.) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 626 Sqdn. Age: 20 Date of Death: 04/05/1944 Service No: 1893355 (2)

HATTON, NOEL
United Kingdom Sergeant (Nav.) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 626 Sqdn. Age: 21 Date of Death: 04/05/1944 Service No: 1396651 (6)

LARMAN, KENNETH THOMAS
United Kingdom Flying Officer (Air Bomber) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 626 Sqdn. Age: 21 Date of Death: 04/05/1944 Service No: 151847 (4)

ROPER, VICTOR RONALD
United Kingdom Sergeant (W. Op. [Air]) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 626 Sqdn. Age: 22 Date of Death: 04/05/1944 Service No: 1515925 (5)

WAITES, JOHN
United Kingdom Sergeant (Air Gnr.) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 626 Sqdn. Date of Death: 04/05/1944 Service No: 2209456 (1)

See 'Crews' page

HK539  UM-A2    24th/25th March 1944 

W/C Q.W.A. Ross, Sgt H. Watt, WO2 J. Gibson RCAF, F/S C. Nathanson, F/Sgt C.C. Christie, Sgt T.W. Bint, F/Sgt S.W. Jones RAAF 

HK539 was delivered to 626 Sqdn Oct43 No other Key Operations; No record of total hours. HK539 was one of two 626 Sqdn lancasters lost on this operation. See: LM393. Airborne 1841 24Mar44 from Wickenby. Homebound. crashed and burst into flames at Neuwarendorf, 4 km W of Warendorf. All are buried in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. W/C Q.W.A.Ross KIA, Sgt H.Watt KIA, WO2 J.Gibson RCAF KIA, F/S C.Nathanson KIA, F/S C.C.Christie KIA, Sgt T.W.Bint KIA, F/S S.W.Jones RAAF KIA "  ** see Tom Bint in main menu

JA864  2nd/3rd December 1943

S/L G.A. Roden DFC,  Sgt J.W.Stewart, Sgt H.A. Van Hal, Sgt L.C.J. Street,  Sgt T.R. Jackson, Sgt G.H. Brittle, Sgt H.W. Whitmore, Sgt A.G. Luke. 

JA864 was delivered to No.12 Sqdn 6Jul43, to No.626 Sqdn newly formed from 'C'Flight No.12 Sqdn 7Nov43. Took part in the following Key Operations: With No.12 Sqdn as PH-B, Turin 12/13Jul43; Hamburg 24/25Jul43; Hamburg27/28Jul43; Hamburg 2/3Aug43-aborted; Peenem_nde 17/18Aug43. With No.626 Sqdn as UM-D2, Berlin 2/3Dec43-Lost. No record of total hours. airborne 1657 2Dec43 from Wickenby. Believed crashed at Glienicke some 14 km NNW from the centre of Berlin, where six are buried in the 1939-45 War Cemetery. Sgt Whitmore has no known grave. S/L Roden was a New Zealander from Tauranga; he had joined the Regular RAF in 1937. S/L G.A.Roden DFC KIA Sgt J.W.Stewart Inj Sgt H.A.Van Hal KIA SAgt L.C.J.Street KIA Sgt T.R.Jackson KIA Sgt G.H.Brittle KIA Sgt H.W.Whitmore KIA Sgt A.G.Luke KIA Sgt J.W.Stewart was confined in Hospital due injuries. No PoW No. "

JB141   UM-N2  14/15th January 1944

F/Sgt N.E. West,  Sgt G.E. Powell, Sgt A. Bell, Sgt J.F. Stanley, Sgt C.F. Wheatstone, Sgt J.J. Smith, Sgt G. Upfold 

JB141 was delivered to 100 Sqdn 22Aug43. To No.626 Sqdn, newly formed from No.12 Sqdn 'C'Flight 7Nov43. Took part in the following Key Operationss. With 100 Sqdn as HW-C, Berlin 3/4Sep43; Mannheim 23/24Sep43; Hannover 18/19Oct43. With No.626 Sqdn, lost on its first operation, Brunswick 14/15Jan44. No record of total hours. JB141 was one of two 626 Sqdn Lancasters lost on this operation: See, ME576. Airborne 1638 14Jan44 from Wickenby. Crashed at Heiningen, 2 km W of Borssum. Six are buried in Hannover War Cemetery; Sgt Wheatstone is commemorated on Panel 240 of the Runnymede Memorial. F/S N.E.West KIA Sgt G.E.Powell KIA Sgt A.Bell KIA Sgt J.F.Stanley KIA Sgt C.F.Wheatstone KIA Sgt J.J.Smith KIA Sgt G.Upfold KIA "

JB409  UM-P2   11/12 May 1944

P/O C.R. Marriott DFM RNZAF, Sgt R.S. Hollingum, F/Sgt J.H. Barton RNZAF, Sgt C.R. Todd, Sgt W.A. Palmer, P/O A.J. Muir RCAF, WO2 C.W. Smith RCAF 

JB409 was delivered to 12 Sqdn 7Oct43, joining 626 Sqdn, formed from 12 Sqdn 'C'Flight, Dec43. Took part in the following Key Operations: With No.12 Sqdn as PH-P, Hannover 18/19Oct43; Berlin 18/19Nov43; Berlin 26/27Nov43; Berlin 2/3Dec43; Berlin 16/17Dec43. To No.626 Sqdn. No Key Operations until Hasselt 11/12May44-Lost. No record of total hours. Airborne 2156 11May44 from Wickenby to bomb the railyards. Exploded and fell at the sea dike near Krabbendijke on Zuid Beveland. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. P/O Marriott had won an an immediate DFM for showing outstanding devotion to duty while on recent operations to Frankfurt. The citation was Gazetted 11 April 1944, jointly with that for his Rear Gunner on that occasion, Sgt J.V.Brewer. 

P/O C.R. Marriott DFM RNZAF KIA, Sgt R.S. Hollingum KIA, F/Sgt J.H. Barton RNZAF KIA, Sgt C.R.Todd KIA, Sgt W.A. Palmer KIA, P/O A.J. Muir RCAF KIA, WO2 C.W. Smith RCAF KIA "

421742 Pilot Officer MARRIOTT, COLIN RUPERT  DFM, Royal New Zealand Air Force age 20.  Son of Rupert Vance Marriott and Jessie Marriott, of Christchurch, New Zealand.  

A German pilot from 1./NJG 1 flying an He 219A claimed the shooting down of 626 Sqdn. Lancaster JB 409. 

JB595  UM-B2  15th February 1944  

F/S J. Jacques, Sgt A.A. Phillips, Sgt G.C. Farran, Sgt J.G. Morton, Sgt F. Seddon, Sgt J.E. Holford, Sgt D.C. O'Donnell

JB595 was delivered to No.626 Sqdn 12Nov43 . Lost on its first operation with a total of 23 hours. Airborne 1728 15Feb44 from Wickenby. Shot down by a JU88 over Erfurt. Sgt Phillips was critically injured and died from his wounds 15May44, he is buried in the Berlin 1939-45 War Cemetery. Sgt Farran and Sgt O'Donnell were repatriated, both arriving in Liverpool aboard the Letitia 2Feb45 F/S J.Jacques PoW Sgt A.A.Phillips Inj Sgt G.C.Farran Inj Sgt J.G.Morton PoW Sgt F.Seddon PoW Sgt J.E.Holford PoW Sgt D.C.O'Donnell Inj Sgt G.C.Farran and Sgt D.C.O'Donnell were confined in Hospital due injuries until repatriation (see above). Sgt J.E.Holford was interned in Camps L6/357, PoW No.1465 with F/S J.Jacques, PoW No.2133 (wounded), Sgt J.G.Morton, PoW No.1619 and Sgt F.Seddon, PoW No.1469. "

JB599  UM-Q2     22nd March 1944 

F/O G.D. Kewley, Sgt C. Craigie, F/O T.H. Prickett, F/O P.P. Dowd RCAF, Sgt C. Saunders, Sgt C.B. Mills, Sgt W.B. Dixon 

JB599 was delivered to 626 Sqdn 12Nov43. Also took part in the Key Operation against Stuttgart 15/16Mar44. No other Key Operations. No record of total hours. Airborne 1859 22 March 1944 from Wickenby. Shot down by a night-fighter and crashed at Blasheim, 3 km WSW of Lubbecke. The force of the crash, coupled with the fire that followed, totally destroyed the Lancaster. all were buried at Blasheim. They have been subsequently re-interred in the Hannover War Cemetery. At 18, Sgt Dixon was amongst the youngest airmen killed on operations. F/O G.D. Kewley KIA, Sgt C. Craigie KIA, F/O T.H. Prickett KIA, F/O P.P. Dowd RCAF KIA, Sgt C. Saunders KIA, Sgt C.B. Mills KIA, Sgt W.B. Dixon KIA "

DETAILS OF SERVICEMEN FROM  ECCLES SECONDARY SCHOOL WHO DIED FOR THEIR COUNTRY

KEWLEY, GEORGE DOUGLAS – Flight Officer (Pilot) - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 626 Sqdn. Died 22/03/1944. Killed in air operations over Germany.

Of Westbrook Drive, Swinton. Employed as a policeman before joining up.

WHITCHURCH CENOTAPH

Flying Officer TERRENCE HELYER PRICKETT 151337, 626 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve who died age 23 on 22 March 1944.  Son of Horace Frank and Sarah Elizabeth Prickett, of Whitchurch, Glamorgan. 

On the way to the target, the city of Frankfurt, the Lancaster was attacked by night fighters over the city of Bielefeld and badly damaged.  It crashed near the village Blasheim, 3km from Lubbecke and exploded and burned completely. All seven crew members were killed. They were buried in the Blasheim cemetery and later reburied after the war at the British Military Cemetery in Hanover.

The downing of the Lancaster was claimed by Lieutenant Colonel Helmut Lent, Knight's Cross, NJG 3 and stationed in Stade. Flying a Junkers Ju 88 G-6 his attack was at Bielefeld at 21:35.

Just nine minutes earlier he had shot down a different Lancaster over Bielefeld. This was LL647 of  426 Squadron. This aircraft crashed a short time later near the small town Greffen, 17 km northwest of the city of Gütersloh, down.  

JB661  7/8th January 1945 

F/O K.A. Stroh RCAF, Sgt E. Leather, WO2 D.R. Hutchins RCAF, F/O J.H. Clark RCAF,  F/O J.P.H. Terreau RCAF,  F/Sgt W.J. Rahkola RCAF, F/Sgt K.R. Joslin RCAF  

JB661 was delivered to No.7 Sqdn Nov43, to No.300 Sqdn Jun44, to No.626 Sqdn 15Dec44. Took part in the following Key Operations: With No.7 Sqdn as MG-Z, Berlin 16/17dec43; Berlin 23/24Dec43; Berlin 29/30Dec43; Berlin 2/3Jan44; Brunswick 14/15jan44; Berlin 27/28Jan44; As MG-T, Berlin 30/31Jan44; Berlin 15/16Feb44; Leipzig 19/20feb44; Stuttgart 15/16Mar44; Nuremburg 30/31Mar44; As MG-L, Schweinfurt 26/27Apr44; Duisburg 21/22May44; To No.300 Sqdn training duties only, no operations; 

With 626 Sqdn as UM-C2, Munich 7/8Jan45-Lost. No record of total hours. JB661 was one of two 626 Sqdn Lancasters lost on this operation. See: LL961. Airborne 1847 7Jan45 from Wickenby. All are buried in Durnbach War cemetery. all were older than the average bomber crew with two in their 30s and the rest, with the exception of 23 year old WO2 Hutchins, in their middle to late 20s. F/O K.A.Stroh RCAF KIA Sgt E.Leather KIA WO2 D.R.Hutchins RCAF KIA F/O J.H.Clark RCAF KIA F/O J.P.H.Terreau RCAF KIA F/S W.J.Rahkola RCAF KIA F/s K.R.Joslin RCAF KIA "

LL753  UM-Z2   3rd May 1944 

P/O D.S. Jackson DFC, Sgt J.A.I. Sutton, P/O H.A. Riddle, WO2 J.M.B. Liebscher RCAF, F/S R.H. Watts RAAF, Sgt A.G. Brooks, F/S R.E. MacFarlane RCAF

LL753 was a mk.1 and was delivered to 626 Sqdn 26Mar44. No other Key operations. No record of total hours. LL753 was one of three 626 Sqdn Lancasters lost on this operation. See: DV281; EE148. Airborne 2211 3May44 from Wickenby to attack the military camp. Shot down while closing on the AP and exploded with great force near Breuvery-sur-Coole (Marne), 12 km SSW of Cholons-sur-Marne. P/O Jackson and his Canadian Rear Gunner are buried in Breuvery-sur- Coole Churchyard. The others are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. P/O D.S.Jackson DFC KIA Sgt J.A.I.Sutton KIA P/O H.A.Riddle KIA WO2 J.M.B.Liebscher RCAF KIA F/S R.H.Watts RAAF KIA Sgt A.G.Brooks KIA F/S R.E.MacFarlane RCAF KIA "

Lancaster LL 753 of 626 Sqn RAF took off from RAF Station Wickenby, Lincolnshire, at 2211 hours on 3 May 1944 to attack a target at Mailey-Le-Camp, France. Nothing further was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base.

Crew:

RAF P/O Jackson, D S, Captain (Pilot)

RAF P/O Riddle, H A (Navigator)

RCAF W/O Liebscher, J M B (Air Bomber)

RAAF  P/O Watts, R H (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner)

RAF Sgt Sutton, J A Y (Flight Engineer)

RAF Sgt Brooks, A G (Mid Upper Gunner)

RCAF Flt Sgt MacFarlane, R E (Rear Gunner)

In 1947, following post war enquiries and interrogations of local authorities of Breuverysur-Coole, France, it was established that an aircraft exploded and crashed near that village on the night of 3/4th May 1944, and that two bodies were recovered viz. PO Jackson (RAF) and Flt Sgt McFarlane (RCAF).

It was recorded that the remaining missing crew members had no known grave.

It was another early start for everyone and after an eventful 1st day, I thought I knew what to expect, but I was wrong. First we were at Breuvery sur Coole for a ceremony and wreath laying at the graves of PO D S Jackson DFC and his rear gunner Sgt RE Macfarlane  RCAF. We were there on behalf of the family of Sgt Arthur Brooks (20) who was one of the five members of P/O Jackson’s 626 Sqdn crew who remain missing, with no known grave.

Report by a cadet on the visit by the ATC cadets to the 2010 commemoration ceremonies for the air raid on Mailly-le-camp

LL797  UM-B2     24/25th February 1944 

F/O Jack Pierce Hutchinson DFC RAAF (Pilot), Sgt Brian R.Bowditch (2nd Pilot), Sgt Arthur Hodgson (Flight Engineer), P/O Leonard E. Goodkey RCAF (Navigator),  F/O Peter Henry Wilson Young (Bomb Aimer), Sgt R (Bob) Edgeworth (Wireless Operator), F/Sgt Hector Binder RCAF (Mid Upper Gunner),  F/Sgt Ken J. Macey (Rear Gunner) 

LL797 was a Mk.1 and was delivered to 626 Sqdn 8Feb44. Took part in the Key Operations against Berlin 15/16Feb44 and Leipzig 19/20Feb44. When lost against Schweinfurt 24/25Feb had a total of 21 hours. Airborne 1810 24Feb44 from Wickenby for the final sortie of their first tour of operations and carrying a second pilot for operational experience. Crashed at Marsal (Moselle), 10 km SE of Chateau-Salins, France. All are buried in the churchyard at Marsal. Pilot F/O J.P. Hutchinson DFC RAAF KIA, 2nd Pilot Sgt B.R. Bowditch KIA, Flight Engineer Sgt A. Hodgson KIA, Navigator P/O L.E. Goodkey RCAF KIA, Bomb Aimer F/O P.H.W. Young KIA, Wireless Operator Sgt R. Edgeworth KIA, Mid Upper Gunner F/S H.F. Binder RCAF KIA,  Rear Gunner F/S K.J.Macey KIA 

LL839  UM-X2     26th March 1944 

F/O D.B. Laidlaw, Sgt D.S. Lockett, F/O K.W. Gordon RCAF, Sgt C. Banks, Sgt G.Burrows, Sgt H.S. Parsons, F/S A.F. Drummond RAAF

LL839 was a Mk.1 and was delivered to No.626 Sqdn Feb44. Also took part in the Key Operations against Stuttgart 15/16Mar44 and Berlin 24/25Mar44. Total of 24 hours when lost. Airborne 1900 26Mar44 from Wickenby. Cause of loss not established. Crashed at Bousignies-sur-Roc (Nord), 25 km NE of Avesnes-sur-Helpe and practically on the French/Belgium border. Those killed are buried in Maubeuge Central Cemetery. F/O D.B.Laidlaw KIA Sgt D.S.Lockett KIA F/O K.W.Gordon RCAF PoW Sgt C.Banks KIA Sgt G.Burrows Evd Sgt H.S.Parsons KIA F/S A.F.Drummond RAAF KIA Sgt Burrows was hidden for four weeks by Yvan Hellendorf, a Belgian, before being taken over by Comete. In Apr97, George Burrows met his helper for the first time after 53 years. F/O K.W. Gordon was interned in Camp L1, PoW No.4704. "

LL895  UM-Y2   Stuttgart  28th July 1944 

F/S G.T. Ryan, Sgt J.A. Stone, Sgt J.E. Palmer,  Sgt G.E. Ross, Sgt L.A. Pointer, Sgt J. Purves, Sgt K.S. Eddie 

 LL895 delivered to No.626 Sqdn Mar 44. Took part in the following Key Operations: Schweinfurt 26/27Apr44; Mailly-le-Camp 3/4May44; Duisburg 21/22May44; Caen 7Jul44-Daylight; Stuttgart 28/29Jul44-Lost. 

When lost this aircraft had a total of 203 hours. Airborne 2144 28Jul44 from Wickenby on their first operational sortie. Shot down by a night-fighter and crashed 0230 29 Jul 44 at Vaihingen, 8 km SW of Stuttgart. Those killed are buried in Durnbach War Cemetery. F/S G.T. Ryan KIA, Sgt J.A. Stone KIA, Sgt J.E. Palmer PoW,  Sgt G.E. Ross KIA, Sgt L.A. Pointer KIA, Sgt J. Purves KIA, Sgt K.S. Eddie KIA, Sgt J.E. Palmer was interned in Camp L7, PoW No.528. 

LL959  Leuna 14th January 1945 

F/Lt Don  Nelson RCAF (Pilot), Sgt Oliver Old (Flight Engineer), F/O Thomas R Murray DFC RCAF (Navigator), F/O Vernon H Halstead RCAF (Bomb Aimer), F/O Robert Joseph Lacey (Wireless Operator), F/Sgt Andrew Morrison (Scotty) Walker RCAF (Mid Upper Gunner), F/Sgt Cyril Clinton Merriman RCAF (Rear Gunner)

LL959 was a Mk.1 and was delivered to No.300 Sqdn May44, joining No.626 Sqdn 2Jun44. Took part in the following Key Operations: With No.300 Sqdn no operations. With No.626 Sqdn, Ach_res 10/11Jun44; Stuttgart 28/29Jul44; Kiel 26/27Aug44; Frankfurt 12/13Sep44; Merseburg 14/15Jan45-Lost. No record of total hours. Airborne 1905 14Jan45 from Wickenby to attack the Leuna synthetic oil plant at Mersenburg. Exploded S of the target area, ejecting F/L Nelson. Of the six men killed, three are buried in the Berlin 1939-45 War Cemetery and the other three are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. F/L D.S. Nelson RCAF Inj, Sgt O. Old KIA, F/O T.R. Murray DFC RCAF KIA, F/O V.H. Halstead RCAF KIA, F/O R.J. Lacey KIA, F/Sgt A.M.O. Walker RCAF KIA, F/Sgt C.C. Merriman RCAF KIA, F/Lt D.S. Nelson was blown clear of his aircraft, injured, and confined in hospital due those injuries until Liberation.

At 1905 on the night of 14th Jan 1945 Lancaster LL959 took off from RAF Wickenby in Lincolnshire on a bombing raid of the synthetic oil installation at Leuna south of Berlin. 

It was the aircraft's 41st operational sortie and its crew's 30th operational sortie together. They joined 626 Squadron on the 13th of August 1944 and had flown their first mission on the 25th of August 1944 to Russelsheim in Lancaster ND864 (UM-M2).      See 'Crews' page.

LL961 Munich  7th January 1945 

Sgt C.J. Lane, F/O J.K. Yeaman RCAF, F/O D. Rymer, F/S G.M. Magee RAAF, F/S D.F. Crowe RCAF, Sgt W. McLean 

Airborne 1844 7Jan44 from Wickenby. Outbound, collided with a 150 Sqdn Lancaster and abandoned just to the south of Laon (Aisne). F/O Smith is now buried in the Canadian War Cemetery at Dieppe, while Sgt McLean is buried in Clichy New Communal Cemetery. The other Lancaster, PB781, flown by F/L R. Rose RCAF, returned safely to Hemswell and was little damaged.  KIA Sgt C.J. Lane, F/O J.K.Yeaman RCAF, F/O D. Rymer, F/S G.M. Magee RAAF, F/S D.F. Crowe RCAF, Sgt W. McLean KIA

LM102  UM-Z2   22nd June 1944 

Sgt R.A. Woolley, Sgt A.D. Hawkins, Sgt F. Goddard, Sgt E.G. Lewis, Sgt H.J. Browne, Sgt P.A.D. Lawrence, Sgt E.R.S. Kirby

LM102 was a Mk.1 and was delivered to 626 Sqdn May44 No operational history. However, it is recorded that LM102 had a total 59 hours when lost. Airborne 2222 22nd June 1944 from Wickenby to bomb rail facilities at Reims. Crashed at Belloy (Oise), where all were buried in the local churchyard 24th June 1944. Situated in wooded countryside, the village is 6 km SE of Tricot. Their average age was 22. Sgt R.A. Woolley KIA, Sgt A.D. Hawkins KIA, Sgt F. Goddard KIA, Sgt E.G. Lewis KIA, Sgt H.J. Browne KIA, Sgt P.A.D. Lawrence KIA, Sgt E.R.S. Kirby KIA "

Belloy is a village situated in the Department of the Oise on the west side  of N17 (Senlis/Roye) Some 26 kilometers south-south-west of Roye, turn right on to the D938 and after 1 kilometre turn left. Pass through Lataule and Belloy is 1 kilometre further on. The church is in the centre of the village. There are seven WW2  airmen buried in the churchyard. They died on the 23 June 1944

Sgt. Herbert John BROWNE. 626 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, aged 23. Husband of Maureen Olive Browne of Erith, Kent

Sgt. Frank GODDARD. 626 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, aged 23. Son of Mr. & Mrs. C. Goddard of Birmingham

Sgt. Alfred David HAWKINS. 626 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, aged 28. Son of Henry Gransby and Edith Mary Hawkins; husband of Dorothy Phyllis Hawkins of Hanwell, Middx.

Sgt. Eric Raymond Sidney KIRBY. 626 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, aged 21. Son of Sydney and Elizabeth Kirby of Herne Hill, London

Sgt. Percival Alfred Dowding LAWRENCE. 626 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, aged 20. Son of Percival Henry and Evalina Annie Lawrence of Great Bedwyn, Wiltshire

Sgt. Ernest George LEWIS. 626 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, aged 21. Son of William Ewart and Sadie Gwendoline Lewis of Pembroke Dock

Fl. Sgt. Robert Arthur WOOLLEY. 626 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, aged 20. Son of Jack and Emily Woolley of Hildenborough, Kent

Ernest George Lewis, Sergeant (Air Bomber), 1585091, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Ernest was the son of William Ewart Lewis and Sadie Gwendoline Lewis, Of Pembroke Dock, and was educated at Pembroke Dock Grammar School. He served with 626 Squadron, RAF, which was a heavy bomber squadron, equipped with the Avro Lancaster. Ernest was killed when his Lancaster was shot down over France on 23 June 1944. He was 21 years old, and is buried at Belloy Churchyard, Oise, France, alongside his fellow crew members.     Pembroke Dock War Memorial

LM105   21st February 1945

F/O D. Rodger, Sgt H.B. King, F/O R.W. Donner, F/O T.J. O'Neill RCAF, F/Sgt C.R. Badger, Sgt R.Thomson, WO1 R.S. Pyatt RCAF 

LM105 was a Mk.1 and was delivered to 626 Sqdn May44. Took part in the following Key Operations: Rheims 22/23Jun44; Courtrai 20/21Jul44; R_sselsheim 25/26Aug44; Bochum 4/5Nov44; Duisburg 21/22Feb45-Lost No record ot total hours. Airborne 1929 21Feb44 from Wickenby. The first six named are buried in the Reichswald Forest war cemetery, but WO1 Pyatt RCAF is buried in Holland ar Nederweert War Cemetery. This suggests his body was found by an American Graves Inspection Unit. F/O D.Rodger KIA Sgt H.B.King KIA F/O R.W.Donner KIA F/O T.J.O'Neill RCAF KIA F/Sgt C.R.Badger KIA Sgt R.Thomson KIA WO1 R.S.Pyatt RCAF KIA "

LM112  UM-A2    7th July 1944

P/O J.C. Oram RAAF, Sgt T.E. Jenkins, Sgt J.B. Bright, F/S L.S. Curtain RAAF, F/Sgt D.E. Just RAAF, Sgt J.W. Wood, Sgt F.J. Webb

LM112 was a Mk.1 and was delivered to 626 Sqdn 15Jun44. Also took part in the operation against Rheims 22/23June 1944. When lost this aircraft had a total of 20 hours. Airborne 1937 from Wickenby to bomb strong points. Ditched 2203, having been hit by Flak and set on fire while exiting the target area. Three of the five survivors were picked up within seven minutes, uninjured. Both Air Gunners are commemorated on Panel 240 of the Runnymede memorial. P/O J.C. Oram RAAF, Sgt T.E. Jenkins Sgt J.B. Bright, F/S L.S. Curtain RAAF, F/Sgt D.E. Just RAAF, Sgt J.W. Wood KIA, Sgt F.J. Webb KIA "

WWII War Memorial, St. Mary's Church, Bucklebury, Berkshire

FREDERICK JAMES WEBB    Service No: 1474327

Rank: Sergeant   Age: 26   Date of Death: 07/07/1944.    Son of Frederick A. and Charlotte E. Webb, of Cold Ash, Berkshire.  

Station narrative relating to the loss of 626 Squadron UM-A2. 

Firstly it is interesting to relate that P/O Oram was evacuated from Singapore in March 1942 in a Short Empire Flying Boat. This was shot down by a Zero fighter off the North West shores of Australia. Fortunately his swimming prowess enabled him to swim ashore after the aircraft crash landed in the sea. 

The Lancaster reached the target without incident, and at 21.09hrs the bombs were released from 6,000’ on an excellent concentration of Red T.I.'s.  This was the first operational mission that the crew had carried out together, though they had each had one previous trip. 

Flak appeared to be very heavy, especially to the South West of Caen.  Immediately the bombs were released the captain turned off to avoid these heavy flak defences. Suddenly a sharp crack was felt underneath the aircraft which tore a hole in the wireless operator’s seat. The wireless operator believed he had been hit in the foot, which became strangely numb.  He had in fact stopped a fragment of shrapnel with his boot, although no bodily injury was caused. 

Despite the unpleasant thud the performance of the aircraft did not convey to the captain that any serious damage had been caused.  The bomb aimer however reported “Bomb doors not closed”. The captain reselected a couple of times and finally instructed the bomb aimer to use emergency air.  This method proved abortive. 

A few seconds later the mid upper gunner reported holes in the fin, rudder, and tail plane. The navigator then reported that he thought that petrol was swilling around inside the aircraft.  Simultaneously the wireless operator reported that hydraulic fluid was emerging from beneath him.  The flight engineer then inspected the header tank and found it intact. 

The captain had by now levelled out and was heading for the coast.  Below and to Starboard at 22.02hrs a Lancaster was seen with its Port inner engine on fire and apparently out of control.  Before it was lost to view it appeared to be once again under control, and the fire had died away. 

As he was now a satisfactory distance from the Caen area and no longer receiving the attention of the German gunners, the captain decided to make a detailed check of the aircraft.  To his dismay he saw that outboard of the Port outer engine there was a jagged hole of 8 to 10 inches diameter with a flicker of flame, and as he believed the petrol tank to be on fire ordered an emergency jump.  The crew with the exception of the rear gunner acknowledged the instruction and started to act upon it.  The mid upper gunner asked if he should jump from the rear hatch to which the captain replied “Yes go now”.  The bomb aimer immediately donned his chute and jettisoned the front hatch. 

The aircraft was by this time 2 to 3 miles off the French coast and the captain remembering that the rear gunner could not swim, and that the mid upper gunner was a poor swimmer decided to turn to Port to give the a chance to bale out over land.  Actually his intention was to put in “George” and head the aircraft towards the German lines, in the hope that it would crash there and not endanger Allied lives. Unfortunately “George” was U/S so the aircraft continued turning so that it headed towards the Channel again. 

The bomb aimer, flight engineer, and navigator were now queuing up to bale out, and the wireless operator intimated that he was going to the rear door to bale out. 

By this time the fire in the Port wing had the appearance of a blowlamp, emitting a fierce red jet of flame.  To the captain’s dismay he found a similar fire on the Starboard wing.  Despite the damage, the engines were still behaving normally and the captain’s one concern was to abandon the aircraft so that it would clear the numerous ships off shore, He therefore left the engines on full power. 

As previously stated the rear gunner had not replied to the order to abandon aircraft, and in the light of the report from the mid upper gunner of the damage to fin, rudder, and tail plane he assumed he had been hit by shrapnel. 

By now the aircraft was becoming difficult to control, and the captain realised that it was high time he left.  He got out of his seat, controlling the aircraft with his left hand, and buckled on his chute with his right hand.  He reports the operation was one of the most complicated he had ever undertaken.  He repeatedly called the rear gunner on the intercom.  With parachute on he had a good look round to see the aircraft was untenanted, felt confident the aircraft would clear the shipping, centralised the controls and baled out through the forward hatch at 3,000’. 

For reasons of clarity the crew reports are separate after baling out. 

Captain. After leaving the aircraft the parachute opened normally, but unfortunately his boots fell off.  He eventually landed in the sea just beyond the outer line of shipping without any violent impact.  He was picked up by a small launch after only 2 mins. in the briny, and transferred to the Albatross (A Navy Depot Ship) where he was put to bed in the sick bay with numerous hot water bottles and plenty of Navy rum.  The Navy fitted him out with clothes, and he was transferred by Air Sea Rescue launch to Normandy, where he spent the night at a Royal Marines establishment.  There was a particularly vicious air attack during the night, but he had been so liberally supplied with rum that it hardly mattered.  He returned to England the following day by Anson.  The Lancaster incidentally had performed numerous evolutions before hitting the sea clear of the shipping. 

Navigator.  Landed in the sea about 2 miles off shore and was picked up by an A.R.L. after 2 mins.  Eventually joining the captain ashore and returning to this country in the same aircraft. 

Bomb Aimer. Landed in the sea 400 to 600yds off shore and was rescued after 2 mins by a Marine Landing Craft.  After excellent treatment by the Marines he was handed over to the R.A.F. in Normandy, and spent the night in a S/L's tent erected in a ditch.  He also returned in the same Anson as the captain and navigator. 

Flight Engineer. Baled out without incident and landed in the sea near the wireless operator.  His experiences thereafter being the same. 

Wireless Operator. Upon receiving orders to bale out, acknowledged them, took up his logs, and with the assistance of the oil in the aircraft slithered to the main door.  There he found both gunners (Off the intercom) with their chutes on and obviously dazed, and unable to make up their minds to jump.  He shouted at them to get going but they made no move.  He then thought that his good example might have the desired effect on them.  He therefore jumped, his parachute only opening after he had clawed off its cover.  He does not remember hitting the water or seeing any shipping, but his dousing revived him, and he was picked up within a minute or so by a landing craft and transferred to the cruiser Adventure.  He spent a very disturbed night on the cruiser, his sleep being punctuated by a series of violent explosions.  The personnel of the cruiser did everything they could to make him comfortable.  He was landed at Calshot by an Air Sea Rescue launch. 

For this operation P/O J.C. Oram was immediately awarded the D.F.C.  

LM136  UM-D2  20/21st July 1944

Lancaster LM 136 of 626 Sqn RAF took off from RAF Station Wickenby, Lincolnshire, 
UK, at 2355 hours on 20 July 1944 to bomb Courtrai, West Belgium. LM136 was one of two 626 Sqdn Lancasters lost on this operation. See: LM633.The aircraft crashed in the North Sea, and all the crew were killed. 
Crew:
RAF FO Wilson, W D, Captain (Pilot) 
RAF Sgt Stevens, H L (Navigator) 
RAAF 432602 FO Binnie, K C (Air Bomber) 23 years old.
RAF Sgt Meaney, J (Flight Engineer) 19 years old.
RAF Sgt Clark, D J S (Wireless Air Gunner) 
RAAF 428608 Flt Sgt Robertson, F L (Mid upper Gunner) . 
RAF Sgt Woodhouse, W T (Rear Gunner) 
Flt Sgt Robertson body was washed ashore and he is buried in the Longuenesse (St Omer) Souvenir Cemetery, France. St Omer is a large town 45kms south east of Calais. Sgt Clarke is buried in the Middlekerke Communal Cemetery, Belgium. The cemetery is 9kms south west of Ostend. 

LM137  UM-G2    12th/13th September 1944 

F/O D.R.B. Thorpe, F/O G.T. Bolderston RCAF,  Sgt F.C. Foster, P/O A.C.L. Cox, F/Sgt S.E. Dunnett, Sgt J. Peart, F/Sgt R.H. Cross, F/Sgt L.F. Beattie

LM137 was delivered to No.12 Sqdn May44, joining No.626 Sqdn 15Aug44. Took part in the following operations: With No.12 Sqdn Siracourt 29Jun44-Daylight; With No.626 Sqdn Russelsheim 25/26Aug44; Frankfurt 12/13 Sep44-Lost. When lost this aircraft had a total of 181 hours Airborne 1825 12Sep44 from Wickenby. Cause of loss not established. Crashed 2240 at Plittersdorf, 4 km NW of Rastatt. Those killed are buried in Durnbach War Cemetery. F/O D.R.B.Thorpe PoW, F/O G.T. Bolderston RCAF (2nd Pilot) murdered by civilians. Sgt F.C. Foster murdered by civilians. P/O A.C.L. Cox KIA, F/Sgt S.E. Dunnett murdered by civilians. Sgt J. Peart PoW, F/S R.H. Cross PoW, F/S L.F. Beattie KIA, F/O G.T. Bolderston RCAF baled out and landed without injury to be murdered by German civilians 12Sep44.  F/S R.H. Cross was interned in Camp L7, PoW No.1099 with Sgt J. Peart, PoW No.940. F/O D.R.B.Thorpe in Camp L1.  On his 31st Operation flying with 626 Squadron F/Lt Dennis Thorpe from Wickenby  was shot down by a night fighter. All of the crew escaped injury but not everyone survived to be taken prisoner of war. Three of his crew were murdered by German civilians. Dennis was captured and interned at Stalag Luft I

WOLVERHAMPTON ROLL OF HONOUR WORLD WAR 11   Foster Francis Charles Sergeant (Flt. Engr.) 1414503 626 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Son of Francis and Ellen Elizabeth Foster, of Wednesfield, Wolverhampton. Died - 12 September, 1944. Aged - 23. Memorial - Durnbach War Cemetery, - Bayern, Germany. Coll. Grave 3. H. 14-16. 

LM140  UM-O2     25th/26th August 1944

F/O Leonard Whetton (Pilot), Sgt Harry W. Brotherhood (Flight Engineer), F/O Derrick Laycock (Navigator), F/O Sydney Brown (Bomb Aimer), Sgt Herbert W. Douglas (Wireless Operator), Sgt Peter Corrigan (Mid Upper Gunner), Sgt George S. Lowson (Rear Gunner)

LM140 was a Mk.1 and was delivered to No.626 Sqdn Jun44. Incomplete operational history. However, it is recorded that LM140 took part in the operation against Courtrai 20/21Jul44 and that when lost a total of 199 hours. LM140 was one of two 626 Sqdn Lancasters lost on this operation. See: PA989 Airborne 2029 25Aug44 from Wickenby. Cause of loss and crash-site not established. Those killed are buried in Durnbach War Cemetery. Unusually, both Air Gunners were in their 30s. F/O L.Whetton KIA, Sgt H.W.Brotherhood KIA, F/O D.Laycock KIA, F/O S. Brown PoW, Sgt H.W.Douglas KIA, Sgt P.Corrigan KIA, Sgt G.S.Lowson KIA. F/O Sydney Brown was interned in Camp L1. PoW No.5854. 

LM270 UM-D2        8th September 1944

P/O D E Vidler RAAF, Sgt E A Madge, F/Sgt G I Horner RAAF, F/Sgt K B Guy RAAF, W/O J F Fincher RAAF, F/Sgt D R Hooker RAAF, F/Sgt Griffiths.

Training flight. Lost control when avoiding a collision and crashed near the airfield. Three were taken to Lincoln Military Hospital and three to Station Sick Quarters. Sgt Madge died of his injuries and is buried in a Plymouth cemetery.

Destruction of training aircraft which crashed on return from a cross country exercise.

626/D2                 LM270                                Crash site - Wickenby

Pilot.                     P/O D.E. Vidler                  Fractured ribs.                                   

Nav.                      F/S G.J. Horner                  Fractured nose.

W.T.                     F/S J.F. Fincher                  Lacerated face.                                  

B.A.                      F/S K.B. Guy                      Contused nose and both legs.           

Engineer               Sgt. Madge                         Killed

M.U.G.                  F/S Hooker                         Internal injuries.

R.G.                      F/S Griffiths                       Compound fractures.

Aircraft returning to WIckenby from operations were diverted to Faldingworth due to this training aircraft crashing and blocking the runway in use.  Crews landing at Faldingworth were treated to typical Polish hospitality.  This included a large tot of rum for each crew member.  On one unnamed 626 crew, flying LL961  UM-S2, the pilot was the only rum drinker.  Immediately after finishing his 7th tot, Wickenby aircraft were cleared to return to base.  The flight engineer kept a close watch on him during start up and taxiing but he seemed all right.  On the runway full power was applied and the aircraft proceeded down the runway in a straight line with the tail up at the right time.  Well down the runway the engineer looked across to see the pilot in a daze, nodding off.  He reached over pulled the stick back and yelled for the bomb aimer who had had pilot instruction.  The aircraft was now safely in the air and under control, but the pilot had to be sobered up to get it down again.  He was made to drink all the cold stale coffee dregs from the flasks, and eventually made a better than usual touch down at Wickenby.

LM290 UM-W2    4th November 1944  

F/O D.R.L Cook DFC RCAF (Pilot), Sgt D.W. Garside (Flight Engineer), F/S H. Sulz RCAF (Navigator), F/S K.C. McCormick RCAF (Bomb Aimer), Sgt L.A. Rolfe (Wireless Operator), Sgt J. Fulton (Mid Upper Gunner), F/Sgt E. Smith RCAF (Rear Gunner)

LM290 was a Mk.1 and was delivered to 626 Sqdn Jul44. Incomplete operational history. However, it is recorded that UM-W2 also took part in the operation against Russelsheim 25/26Aug44 and that when lost against Bochum 4/5Nov44 had a total of 193 hours. Airborne 1726 4Nov44 from Wickenby. Crashed near Menin in the Belgian province of West-Vlaanderen and on the border with France NNW from the town of Tourcoing. All are buried in St-Jean Communal Cemetery at Courtrai. F/O W. le R Cook DFC, RCAF KIA, Sgt D.W. Garside KIA, F/Sgt H. Sulz RCAF KIA, F/Sgt K.C. McCormick RCAF KIA, Sgt L.A. Rolfe KIA, Sgt J. Fulton KIA, F/S E. Smith RCAF KIA "

I came across these 6 graves of 7 members of a bomber crew in a cemetery in Kortrijk, Belgium the other day and was wondering if anyone can tell me anything about where they may have been shot down and what sort of bomber they would have been flying.
The names are:
Flying Officer D.R.L.Cook DFC  RCAF 27 years old
Sgt. John Fulton, Air Gunner RAFVR
Sgt. Douglas Whitehead Garside, Flight Engineer RAFVR 22 years old of Oswestry, Shropshire
Flt./Sgt. Kenneth Corbett McCormick, Air Bomber RCAF 21 years old
Sgt. Leonard Alfred Rolfe, Wireless Op/Air Gunner RAFVR 21 years old of Woolwich, London
Pilot Officer E. Smith, Air Gunner RCAF 20 years old of West Summerland, BC, Canada
Pilot Officer Henry Sulz, Navigator, RCAF 24 years old of Sunnybrook, Alberta, Canada
All 7 were killed on 4.11.44.                       Source not recorded.

LM362  26/27th November 1943

F/Lt V. Wood, F/O J. Wilkinson, Sgt C.G. Davis, P/O L.N. Kirby, F/S G.H. Wood, Sgt W. Cruickshank, Sgt S.F. Hare, F/S R. Hornby

LM362 was delivered to No.12 Sqdn 20Aug44, joining 626 Sqdn 20Nov43. Took part in the following Key Operations: With No.12 sqdn as PH- A/F, Berlin 3/4Sep43; Hannover 18/19Oct43. With No.626 Sqdn, Berlin 26/27Nov43-crashed on return. LM362 was one of three 626 Sqdn Lancasters lost on this operation. See: DV295; DV388. These three aircraft were the first casualties since 626 Sqdn was formed 7 Nov43. Airborne 1712 26 Nov43 from Wickenby. Undershot on return to Wickenby and crashed 0010 at Lissington, 4 miles NNW of Wragby, Lincolnshire. No injuries. F/L V.Wood F/O J.Wilkinson (2nd Pilot) Sgt C.G.Davis P/O L.N.Kirby F/S G.H.Wood Sgt W.Cruickshank Sgt S.F.Hare F/S R.Hornby "

F/Lt Wood, captain of LM362, when bombing the target from 22,000 feet, saw none of the cirrus cloud P/O Hutchinson reported. His bomb-aimer and namesake, Flight Sgt Wood, found the target at 2l:l6hrs and bombed it three minutes later, having seen the target indicators and Wanganui sky-markers together. This was all keenly observed by F/O Wilkinson, flying 'second-dickey' on his inaugural trip. Now it was time to turn the long arc to port and back home over Northern Germany between Bremen and Hanover, across Holland and the North Sea. On approaching Lincolnshire and Wickenby the weather was found to have clamped in, but this was F/Lt Wood's last mission on his operational tour and he was determined to land at his home airfield. As pilot he brought the Lancaster round carefully, lining up with Wickenby's runway, flying in from the east. The checklist for landing had been gone through, autopilot disengaged, superchargers were in low 'M' ratio, brake pressure was checked at over 250psi, flaps brought down from twenty-five degrees when first in circuit to now fully down, undercarriage down and locked and the engines at 2,800rpm or so to give the Lancaster about 110 mph flying speed for landing. Due to the weather, F/Lt Wood was using the radio aid Beam Approach Landing System. Unfortunately, unknown to him, it was off calibration. The first thing he knew about it was when the aircraft touched down in the middle of the WAAF site, just north of the village of Holton and about half a mile short of the airfield boundary. One wing came within a foot of one of the huts, the other narrowly missing a haystack. Further on the bomber and luck separated. Slithering at about a hundred miles an hour across the fields, ditches and fences quickly took the undercarriage legs clean off and the nose parted from the body of the 24-ton bomber. LM326 had flown its last flight and was a complete write-off, but miraculously the crew walked away from the wreck with no serious injury.

From 'To Strive and not to Yield' by Dennis West

LM380  UM-S2   27th January 1944  

F/L W.N. Belford RAAF, Sgt H. Hill, F/Sgt A.J.P. Lee, Sgt J.C. Lee, Sgt T.S.Trinder, Sgt H.H. Mewburn, F/Sgt R.Gould RAAF

LM380 was delivered to No.460 Sqdn Oct43, transferring to No.626 Sqdn Nov43. Undertook no operations with No.460 Sqdn, with No.626 Sqdn lost on its first Key Operation. No record of total hours. Airborne 1728 27Jan 1944 from Wickenby. Homebound, attacked and shot down by a night-fighter, crashing at Katzenelnbogen, 8 km SW of Hahnstatten. Those killed are buried in Rheinberg War cemetery. This crew had survived a ditching 5/6 Jan 1944. See ME577. F/L W.N.Belford RAAF KIA, Sgt H.Hill KIA, F/S A.J.P.Lee PoW, Sgt J.C.Lee KIA, Sgt T.S.Trinder KIA, Sgt H.H.Mewburn KIA, F/Sgt R.Gould RAAF KIA, F/S A.J.P. Lee was interned in Camps L6/357, PoW No.1284. "

Hugh Harrison Mewburn   Sergeant (Air Gnr.),  Son Of Bowyer Bell Mewburn And Annie Brown Mewburn, Of North Shields, Northumberland

LM393  UM-W2   24th March 1944  

F/Sgt K.H. Margetts, Sgt R.W. Chandler, F/O H.L. Shortliffe RCAF, Sgt D.F. Brooker, Sgt G.T. Probert, Sgt R.C. Waters, Sgt C.G.G. Bateman

LM393 was delivered to 626 Sqdn 26Nov43. Also took part in the operations against Berlin 23/24Dec43 and 1/2Jan44. No record of total hours. LM393 was one of two 626 Sqdn Lancasters lost on this operation. See: HK539. Airborne 1844 24Mar44 from Wickenby. Homebound, shot down by a night-fighter crashing at Lieb_tz, 6 km NNE of Luckenwalde. Six are buried in the Berlin 1939-45 War Cemetery. Sgt Probert is commemorated on Panel 236 of the Runnymede Memorial. F/S K.H. Margetts KIA Sgt R.W.Chandler KIA F/O H.L. Shortliffe RCAF KIA Sgt D.F.Brooker KIA Sgt G.T.Probert KIA Sgt R.C.Waters KIA Sgt C.G.G.Bateman KIA "

Rushden Evening Telegraph April 4 1944
Flight Sergeant Geoffrey Gordon Bateman RAF, 19 years old, only son of Mr & Mrs Charles Bateman of 129 Irchester Road Rushden has recently been listed as 'missing from operations'. Sgt Bateman has been with the RAF since May 1943 and this was his ninth 'op' as a rear gunner of the plane. He joined the local squadron of the ATC at the commencement and after leaving Intermediate School worked at the Higham Road Branch of the Rushden Industrial Co-operative Society. He was a member of the Mission Church and Sunday School, belonged to the Mission Tennis Club and was a keen sportsman in general. Sgt Bateman has two sisters younger than himself.

LM596  UM-V2      14/15th October 1944

(See Duisburg Raid on Crews page)

LM599 UM-A2      12/13th August 1944  

F/O R.S. Bennett RCAF, F/Sgt J.P. Slattery, F/O A.V. Clifford, F/S L.E. Paradise, Sgt K.W. Molyneux, Sgt J.K. Slack, F/S J.M. Reid 

LM599 was delivered to No.626 Sqdn May44. Took part in the operation against Vierzon 30Jun/1Jul44. No record of total hours. Airborne 2139 12Aug44 from Wickenby. Shot down by a night-fighter crashing at 0025 13Aug44 in the southern outskirts of Celle at Westercelle. Those killed are now buried in Hanover War Cemetery. F/O R.S.Bennett RCAF PoW F/S J.P.Slattery PoW F/O A.V.Clifford Inj F/S L.E.Paradise PoW Sgt K.W.Molyneux KIA Sgt J.K.Slack KIA F/S J.M.Reid KIA F/O R.S.Bennett RCAF was interned in Camp L3. PoW No.7336. F/S J.P.Slattery was confined in Hospital due to injuries. (No PoW No.) F/S L.E. Paradise in Camp L7, PoW No.617 with F/S J.P. Slattery, PoW No.629. "

F/O R. S. Bennett. Lancaster. Fighter quarter attack from below with front gun. 18000ft. Aircraft on fire in air, abandoned in air. Ultimate cause of loss due to fire and loss of control. Condition unknown. Radio apparatus on except when shot down

Information from Prisoner of War in Stalag Luft III August 1944

LM633  UM-T2     Courtra  20th July 1944 

F/O J. Bowen RAAF (Pilot), Sgt J.S.M. Fyfe (Flight Engineer), F/Sgt R.C. Clarke RAAF (Navigator),  F/Sgt K.D. Ferguson RAAF (Bomb Aimer), F/Sgt W.A. Purnell RAAF (Wireless Operator), F/Sgt C.M. Beattie RAAF (Mid Upper Gunner), F/Sgt J.W. Houseman RAAF (Rear Gunner) 

LM633 was one of two No.626 Sqdn Lancasters lost on this operation. See: LM136. Airborne 2346 20Jul44 from Wickenby to attack railway yards. Crashed 0100 21Jul44 at Lampernisse (West-Vlaanderen) 6 km W of Dijksmuide. 

F/L Houseman is commemorated on Panel 260 of the Runnymede Memorial. Three of the evaders were aided by Bruno Vanbelleghem who was honoured for his courage after the war. Information on Vanbelleghem is credited to Wim Govaerts of Lier in Belgium. F/O J. Bowen RAAF PoW, Sgt J.S.M. Fyfe Evd,  F/S R.C. Clarke RAAF Evd,  F/S K.D. Ferguson RAAF Evd,  F/S W.A. Purnell RAAF PoW, F/S C.M. Beattie RAAF Evd,  F/S J.W. Houseman RAAF KIA, F/O J. Bowen was interned in Camp L1. PoW No.4964. F/S W.A. Purnell initially evaded but was betrayed and captured in Brussels 30 Jul  44 and interned in Camp L7, Pow No.486. 

LM726  20th/21st February 1945  

F/O W.N. Patterson RCAF, Sgt A.T. Dixon, F/O A.J. Beck RCAF, F/O J. Crawford, Sgt K.J. Etherington, Sgt T.Whitby, Sgt H.D. Rutt 

LM726 was delivered to No.626 Sqdn 9 Sep 1944. Took part in the following Key Operations: Duisburg 14 Oct 1944-daylight; Osterfeld 31Dec44-Daylight; Dortmund 20/21Feb45-Lost. No record of total hours. Airborne 2128 20Feb45 from Wickenby. Crashed 0130 21 Feb 1945 into a wood near Hagen-Haspe. Those killed were buried in the Hauptfriedhof at Dortmund. They have been subsequently re-interred in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Panels 279 and 266 respectively commemorate F/O Patterson and F/O Crawford. F/O W.N.Patterson RCAF KIA, Sgt A.T.Dixon KIA, F/O A.J.Beck RCAF KIA, F/O J.Crawford KIA, Sgt K.J. Etherington KIA, Sgt T.Whitby Inj, Sgt H.D.Rutt KIA, Sgt T.Whitby was confined in hospital due to injuries until Liberation. No PoW No. "

ETHERINGTON  Kenneth Joseph  - Sergeant (2209136)

Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (626 Sqdn.)    Age 21     - Parents – William and Theresa Mary Etherington of Lytham, Lancashire

ME576   UM-A2    14th January 1944 

F/Sgt K.N. Elkington, Sgt B.G. Martin, Sgt R.C. McLaren, F/Sgt A.M. Goodall RCAF, Sgt L.J. Pasfield, Sgt M.A. Brooks, Sgt A.A. Johnson 

ME576 was delivered to 626 Sqdn 1Jan44. Lost on its first operation with a total of 7 hours. ME756 was one of two 626 Sqdn lancasters lost on this operation. See: JB141 Airborne 1645 14Jan44 from Wickenby. Crashed near Halberstadt, where all were initially buried. They have been subsequently re- interred in the Berlin 1939-45 War cemetery. F/S K.N.Elkington KIA, Sgt B.G.Martin KIA, Sgt R.C.McLaren KIA, F/S A.M.Goodall RCAF KIA, Sgt L.J.Pasfield KIA, Sgt M.A.Brooks KIA, Sgt A.A.Johnson KIA "

ME577  UM-T2   5th January 1944

F/L W.N. Belford RAAF, Sgt H. Hill, F/Sgt A.J.P. Lee, Sgt J.C. Lee, Sgt T.S.Trinder, Sgt H.H. Mewburn, F/Sgt R.Gould RAAF

ME577 was delivered to 626 Sqdn 1Jan44 Lost on its first operation with a total of 5 hours. Airborne 2340 5Jan44 from Wickenby. Returning to base, ditched 1000 6Jan44 in the North Sea approximately 100 miles off Withernsea on the Yorkshire coast. The crew had been airborne for over ten hours and the Lancaster was completely out of petrol. all were rescued and there were no injuries. Sadly, just three weeks late this entire crew were killed. See LM380. F/L W.N.Belford RAAF Sgt H.Hill F/S A.J.P.Lee Sgt J.C.Lee Sgt T.Trinder Sgt H.Mewburn F/S R.Gould RAAF "

ME587  UM-X2  30th January 1944

F/O J Wilkinson (Pilot), Sgt W A M Anderson, F/Sgt C A S Noad, F/Sgt E A Lafferty RCAF, F/Sgt A J Neeson RAAF, Sgt J S Pomeroy, Sgt R E Allan RCAF.        Crew posted to Wickenby from 1662 Heavy Conversion Unit on the 18th of November 1943.

Take off 5.18 pm Wickenby. Lost without trace. Believed to have crashed into the North Sea or Baltic. Crew commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. 

ME589 UM-D2   19/20th February 1944

F/Sgt A. McG Matheson RCAF, Sgt H. Dunn, Sgt H. Cook, Sgt A.W. Mitton, Sgt M. Latham, Sgt G.H. Bodycot, Sgt T.J. Pullman 

ME589 was delivered to 626 Sqdn 21Jan44 Took part in the following Key Operations: Berlin 27/28Jan44; Berlin 30/31Jan44; Berlin 15/16Feb44; Leipzig 19/20Feb44-Lost. When lost this aircraft had a total of 50 hours. Airborne 2333 19Feb44 from Wickenby. Presumed crashed in the sea off the Dutch Frisian Islands chain. The grave of Sgt Mitton is on Ameland in Nes general Cemetery, while Sgt Bodycot is buried on Schiermonnikoog in Vredenhof Cemetery. The rest are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. F/S A.McG Matheson RCAF KIA, Sgt H.Dunn KIA, Sgt H.Cook KIA, Sgt A.W.Mitton KIA, Sgt M.Latham KIA, Sgt G.H.Bodycot KIA, Sgt T.J.Pullman KIA. "

Mitton, Arthur Westwood -   Rank: Sergeant (Air Bomber)   Official Number: 657731. Age 23. Son of Arthur and May Mitton of Chorlton-cum-Hardy Manchester. 

ME742  UM-B2    29th August 1944

F/O R.C. Hawkes RCAF, F/O H.D. McPhail RCAF, Sgt C.G. Ockwell, F/O R.J. Williams, F/O R.M. Mackay, F/S G. Langdon, F/S H.D.C. Allison RCAF

ME742 was delivered to 12 Sqdn 22Apr44, joining 626 Sqdn 24Jun44. Took part in the following Key Operations: With No.12 Sqdn as PH-O, mailly-le-Camp 3/4May44; With No.626 sqdn as UM-B2, Vierzon 30Jun/1Jul44; Stettin 29/30Aug44-Lost. When lost this aircraft had a total of 246 hours. Airborne 2051 29Aug44 from Wickenby. Shot down by a pair of Ju88s. With no hydraulics at the turret the mid-upper gunner, observing one Ju88 flying parallel at a range of 75 yards, hand-cranked his guns on to it and gave a burst of fire. The Ju88 was seen to catch fire and dive into clouds. ME742 was abandoned successfully and crashed in Sweden. F/O R.C. Hawkes RCAF Int, F/O H.D. McPhail RCAF Int, Sgt C.G. Ockwell Int, F/O R.J. Williams Int, F/O R.M. Mackay Int, F/S G. Langdon Int, F/S H.D.C. Allison RCAF Int. The crew was interred in Sweden and repatriated in October 1944 "

The mid-upper gunner F/Sgt Harry Allison was promoted to Pilot Officer on his return from Sweden and his DFC citation reads- 

 "Pilot Officer Allison has throughout his operational career displayed great courage, skill and initiative. In August 1944 he was detailed for an attack against Stettin. Whilst approaching the target his aircraft was attacked by two Junkers 88s and severely damaged. The rear turret was rendered completely unserviceable and Pilot Officer Allison's turret could only be worked by hand. Despite this, with outstanding determination, this officer managed to fire a long burst into the enemy aircraft which caught fire and exploded. This officer's gallantry and presence of mind have always been of the highest order."

ME774  UM-L2   30th June 1944

P/O W.F. Pocock RCAF (Pilot), Sgt H.C. Greb (Flight Engineer), F/O L.J. Bernaski RCAF (Navigator), Sgt J.O. Smith RCAF (Bomb Aimer), Sgt N.D. Bishop (Wireless Operator), Sgt J.N. Gordon RCAF (Mid Upper Gunner), Sgt A.C.S. Barker RCAF (Rear Gunner)

ME774 (L2) was delivered to 626 Sqdn Apr44. Took part in the following Key Operations: Duisburg 21/22May44; Rheims 22/23Jun44; Courtrtai 20/21Jul44; Crash site Vierzon 30Jun/1Jul44-Lost. No record of total hours. ME774 was one of two 626 Sqdn Lancasters lost on this operation. See: ND952. Airborne 2155 30Jun44 from Wickenby to bomb the railway yards. Lost without trace. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. At 18, Sgt Gordon was amongst the youngest Canadians to be killed on Bomber Command duties. P/O W.F. Pocock RCAF KIA, Sgt H.C. Greb KIA, F/O L.J. Bernaski RCAF KIA, Sgt J.O. Smith RCAF KIA, Sgt N.D. Bishop KIA, Sgt J.N. Gordon RCAF KIA, Sgt A.C.S. Barker RCAF KIA 

ND952  UM-E2    30th June 1944

P/O A. Orr (Pilot), Sgt T. White (Flight Engineer), WO2 B.A.J. Solberg RCAF (Navigator), Sgt C.E.F. Fisher (Bomb Aimer), F/S W.G. Hammond (Wireless Operator), Sgt S. Stone (Mid Upper Gunner), Sgt D.C. Brown RCAF (Rear Gunner)

ND952 was one of two No.626 Sqdn Lancasters lost on this operation. See: ME774 Airborne 2210 30Jun44 from Wickenby to bomb the railway yards. Cause of loss not established. Crashed at Theillay (Loire-et-Cher), a village just to the W of the rail link between Salbris and Vierzon, the latter being in the neighbouring Department of Cher. Those killed are buried in Theillay Communal Cemetery. P/O A. Orr KIA, Sgt T. White KIA, WO2 B.A.J. Solberg RCAF PoW, Sgt C.E.F. Fisher PoW, F/S W.G. Hammond Evd, Sgt S. Stone KIA, Sgt D.C. Brown RCAF KIA, Sgt C.E.F. Fisher was interned in Camps 9C/L7, PoW No.53210. WO2 B.A.J. Solberg in Camp L7, PoW No.370. 

ND964  UM-K2   21st May 1944

P/O R.R. Brant, Sgt R.W. Kemp, P/O F.L. Peck, Sgt K.L.D. McCoy RCAF, Sgt G.A. McEwan, Sgt A.A. Short, Sgt E.R. Read 

ND964 was delivered to 626 Sqdn Apr44. No other operational history. No record of total hours. Airborne 2237 21May44 from Wickenby . Crashed at Tongerlo (Antwerpen), 8 km SW of Geel. Those killed were buried 23May44 at Antwerpen-Deurne. They have been subsequently re-interred in the Schoonselhof Cemetery. Sgt McCoy made a successful evasion and returned to flying duties only to lose his life at the very end of the war. (See LM750) P/O R.R. Brant KIA, Sgt R.W. Kemp KIA, P/O F.L. Peck KIA, Sgt K.L.D. McCoy RCAF Evd, Sgt G.A. McEwan KIA, Sgt A.A. Short KIA, Sgt E.R. Read KIA "

 WO2 McCoy, the sole survivor, had resumed operational flying, and was on a 'gardening' (mine-laying) mission in the Baltic, out of RAF Scampton, and part of the crew of Lancaster LM750 with 153 Squadron, when he and the rest of his crewmates were lost without trace on the 3rd of March 1945.

Saturday, May 24, 1998 a plaque was unveiled to-Blauberg Herselt. It commemorated the crews of three aircraft in the town during World War II on the territory Blouberg (borough of Herselt) crashed. It is about Spitfire MJ534 of 331 (N) Sqn, the Halifax III MZ529 of 431 Sqn and the Canadian Lancaster ND964 of 626 Sqn. Nearly 50 family members and survivors took part in the celebrations. It was a four-day commemoration activity, which took place on May 20 to 24, 1998.

ND985  UM-W2     27th/28th May 1944

P/O R.F. Ayres, Sgt V.B. Foy, F/Sgt D.N. Ede, F/O S.P. Barter, Sgt W.C.L. Western, Sgt S. Hartley, Sgt C.C.A. Gardner

ND985 was delivered to No.626 Sqdn 29May44 Lost on its first operation with a total of 6 hours. Airborne 2352 27May44 from Wickenby. Shot down by a night-fighter and crashed at Zingem (Oost-Vlaanderen) about 8 km NNE of Oudenaarde. Sgt Foy and Sgt Gardner were buried in Oudenaarde Communal Cemetery, probably 1 June 1944, while the others who were killed are buried at Courtrai (St-Jean) Communal Cemetery Note. Most of the wreckage has been cleared away, but part of the main spar was salvaged and presented by Jacques De Vos to the Brussels Air Museum. P/O R.F. Ayres KIA, Sgt V.B. Foy KIA, F/Sgt D.N. Ede PoW, F/O S.P. Barter KIA, Sgt W.C.L. Western Evd, Sgt S. Hartley KIA, Sgt C.C.A. Gardner KIA, F/S D.N. Ede was interned in Camp L7, PoW No.79. "

On May 28, 1944, the Lancaster III ND985 UM W2 of the 626 Sqn was shot down in Zingem, 8 km north-northeast of Oudenaarde. During a mission to Aachen, it was shot down by a night fighter. Crew - P/O Robert F. Ayres (pilot, killed) Sgt B. Foy (F/engineer killed) F/O Stuart P. Barter (bomb-aimer, killed) Sgt WCL "Claude" Western (W/Op, escaped) F/Sgt Denzil N. Ede (prisoner), Sgt Sylvester Hartley (air gunner killed) and CA Sgt Charles "Cliff" Gardner (air gunner killed ). Sgts Foy and Gardner are buried in Oudenaarde, the others in Kortrijk. Some of the main spar was recovered and given to the Air Museum in Brussels.

The graves are located on the ereperk of the old cemetery in the Dijkstraat Oudenaarde.

NE118  UM-U2    22nd/23rd May  1944

F/Sgt E. Grisdale, Sgt R.A.J. Sindall, F/O J.B. Morritt RCAF, F/S R.H. Punter RCAF, Sgt I.A. Pretswell, F/S R.J. Turtle, Sgt R.W. Richardson 

NE118 was delivered to No.626 Sqdn 16May44. Lost on its first operation with a total of 4 recorded hours. Airborne 2237 22 May 1944 from Wickenby. Crashed in Holland at Asten (Noord-Brabant), 10 km SE from the centre of Helmond. Those killed were buried at Venlo. They have been subsequently re-interred in the Jokerbos War Cemetery. F/S E. Grisdale Evd, Sgt R.A.J. Sindall PoW, F/O J.B. Morritt RCAF KIA, F/S R.H. Punter RCAF Evd, Sgt I.A. Pretswell KIA, F/S R.J. Turtle PoW, Sgt R.W. Richardson KIA, Sgt R.A.J. Sindall was interned in Camp L7, PoW No.53 with Sgt R.J. Turtle, PoW No.65. "

22-23 May 1944      Lancaster III NE118 UM-U Op. Dortmund

The aircraft took off from Wickenby at 2237 hrs and crashed in Holland at Aasten (Noord-Brabant 10 km south east from the centre of Helmond.

F/S. E. Grisdale evaded (Arrived Hendon 13-09-1944. Author of 'One Of Many')

Sgt. R A J. Sindall pow (Luft 7 POW No.53)

F/O. J B. Morritt RCAF (KIA)

F/S. R H. Punter RCAF evaded (Arrived Hendon 13-09-1944)

Sgt. I A. Pretswell (KIA)

F/S. R J. Turtle pow (Luft 7 POW No. 65)

Sgt. R W. Richardson (KIA)

'Bomber Command Losses' Vol.5 - W R. Chorley. The Dortmund raid of 22/23 May 1944 - 361 Lancasters and 14 Mosquitos of Nos 1, 3, 6 and 8 Groups carried out the first large raid on Dortmund for a year. 18 Lancasters were lost, 4.8 per cent of the force. The attack fell mainly in the south-eastern districts of Dortmund, mostly in residential areas.

NE163  UM-T2  14th October 1944

F/Lt Reginald .M. Aldus (Pilot) Sgt V. Sheppard (Flight Engineer), F/O Thurston Culshaw RCAF (Navigator), F/O John Mervyn Macmillan RCAF (Bomb Aimer), F/O Ronald Ernest Blake (Wireless Operator), Sgt H. Jeffries (Mid Upper Gunner), Sgt Joseph Marks (Rear Gunner) 

NE163 was delivered to 460 Sqdn May44, joining 626 Sqdn 15Aug454. Incomplete operational history. However, it is recorded that NE163 with No. 460 Sqdn took part in the operation against Vire 6/7Jun44, and with No.626 Sqdn Russelsheim 25/26Aug44 and when lost against Duisburg 14Oct44 had a total of 242 hours. Airborne 0634 14Oct44 from Wickenby. All are buried in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. F/L R.M.Aldus KIA Sgt V.Sheppard KIA F/O T.Culshaw RCAF KIA F/O J.M.Macmillan RCAF KIA F/O R.E.Blake KIA Sgt H.Jeffries KIA Sgt J.Marks KIA " (See Duisburg on Crews page)

NF907  UM-K2    18th February 1945

F/O K.G. Hollaway RAAF, Sgt R.F. Edwards, Sgt T.W. Gascoigne, Sgt J.T. Jones, W/O R.D. Gill RAAF, Sgt E. Harrison, Sgt D.W. Hughes

NF907 UM-K2 was delivered to 626 Sqdn 21 Jul 1944. Took part in the operations against Stuttgart 28/29Jul44, Russelsheim 25/26Aug44, Bochum 4/5Nov44. No record of total hours. NF907 was one of two 626 Sqdn Lancasters lost on Gardening sorties in the German Bight on this night. See: PA126.  Airborne 1753 18Feb45 from Wickenby for mining operations in the German Bight. Lost without trace. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. Their average age was 21. F/O K.G. Hollaway RAAF KIA, Sgt R.F. Edwards KIA, Sgt T.W. Gascoigne KIA, Sgt J.T. Jones KIA, W/O R.D. Gill RAAF KIA, Sgt E. Harrison KIA, Sgt D.W. Hughes KIA. 

Two claims for this encounter were put in by German Night Fighters. They were; Hptm Johann Dreher of IV./NJG3  and Oblt Heinz Reuter of IV./NJG3

Both pilots claimed a Lancaster each. For Dreher it was his 2nd victory and his last as he was killed on 4.3.45. For Reuter who survived the war, it was his 11th victory and he would claim 1 more before the war finished. 

Crew:

RAAF 418276 FO Hollaway, K G, Captain (Pilot)

RAF Flt Sgt Gascoigne, T W (Navigator)

RAF Sgt Jones, J T (Air Bomber)

RAAF 417360 WO Gill, R D (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner)

RAF Sgt Edwards, R F (Flight Engineer)

RAF Sgt Harrison, E (Mid Upper Gunner)

RAF Sgt Hughes, D W (Rear Gunner)

In 1949 it was reported that all efforts to find any trace of the aircraft and crew had been unsuccessful, and the crew had been recorded as missing lost at sea

NG244  UM-E2   22nd December 1944

F/O R.R. Preece, Sgt A.F. Liddle, F/Sgt A.G. Mace, F/O F.E. Gurden, Sgt W.T.Stapleton, Sgt P.L.Waldon, Sgt P.Radley 

NG244 was delivered to 626 Sqdn 22Oct44. No operational history No record of total hours. Airborne 1623 22Dec44 from Wickenby but was obliged to turn back after the failure of the port inner engine. approaching base, the crew were told to divert to Leeming, Yorkshire, but in the circumstances the pilot continued his approach, only to stall and crash. On impact, the Lancaster exploded. all are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.. F/P R.R.Preece KIA, Sgt A.F.Liddle KIA, F/S A.G.Mace KIA, F/O F.E.Gurden KIA, Sgt W.T.Stapleton KIA, Sgt P.L.Waldon KIA, Sgt P.Radley KIA. Both the Bingen and Coblenz on the same date were aimed at rail communications now of key importance to the enemy in supporting their offensive in the Ardennes. The Coblenz attack was only partially successful, but reports in respect of the Bingen operation describe the bombing as being extremely accurate "

F/O Frederick Gurden was only 23 when he died. He had married Joy Denise Wiles in 1943.

PA190 UM-G2  3rd April 1945

F/O L K Driver RNZAF, Sgt A W Scott, W02 E J O'Rourke RCAF, F/O Joseph Gordon Hallowell, Sgt G W E Keeble, F/Sgt J L Cooke RCAF, F/Sgt L Cockerham RCAF. 

Op: Nordhausen. Took off from RAF Wickenby to bomb a military barracks. Presumed lost off the Dutch coast. The average age of the crew was 22 years.
3 April 1945  - 247 Lancasters and 8 Mosquitos of Nos 1 and 8 Groups to attack what were believed to be military barracks near Nordhausen. Unfortunately, the barracks housed a large number of concentration-camp prisoners and forced workers of many nationalities who worked in a complex of underground tunnels where various secret weapons were made. The camp and the tunnel workshops had been established immediately after Bomber Command attacked the rocket-research establishment at Peenemünde in August 1943.The bombing was accurate and many people in the camp were killed; the exact number is not known. The men working in the tunnels were unhurt. 2 Lancasters were lost.
HALLOWELL, JOSEPH GORDON, Flying Officer, 154684, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 626 Squadron

Enlisted 1942 - Received Probationary Commission as Pilot Officer 10th December 1943, which was confirmed on the 10th June 1944 as Flying Officer. Son of Thomas and Elspeth May Hallowell, of Widnes, Lancashire. Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 267.  Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

PA216   18th February 1945

F/O H.L. Lucas, Sgt A.M. Watson, F/Sgt G.P. Holmes, F/Sgt R.L. Lewis, F/Sgt E.E. Jenkins, Sgt F.W. Underhill, F/S J. Webber 

PA216 was delivered to 626 Sqdn 31Dec44. No operational history. No record of total hours. PA216 was one of two 626 Sqdn Lancasters lost on this mining sortie. Airborne 1754 18Feb45 from Wickenby for mining operations over the German Bight. Lost without trace. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. F/O H.L.Lucas KIA Sgt A.M.Watson KIA F/S G.P.Holmes KIA F/S R.L.Lewis KIA F/S E.E. Jenkins KIA Sgt F.W.Underhill KIA F/S J.Webber KIA "

Two claims for this encounter were put in by German Night Fighters. They were; Hptm Johann Dreher of IV./NJG3  and Oblt Heinz Reuter of IV./NJG3

Both pilots claimed a Lancaster each. For Dreher it was his 2nd victory and his last as he was killed on 4.3.45. For Reuter who survived the war, it was his 11th victory and he would claim one more before the war finished. 

PA989 UM-U2    Russelheim 25th August 1944

F/O R.L. Harris RCAF, Sgt A. Loveridge, F/O H.R. Good RCAF, F/O J.T. Farrell RCAF, Sgt J.A. Perdue RCAF, Sgt J. Keil, Sgt A.G. Kerr,

PA989 was delivered to No.626 Sqdn 27May44. PA989 was one of two No.626 Sqdn Lancasters lost on this operation. See: LM140. Airborne 2027 25 Aug 44 from Wickenby. Cause of loss and crash-site not established. Those killed are buried in Rheinberg War Cemetery. F/O R.L. Harris RCAF, PoW Sgt A. Loveridge PoW, F/O H.R. Good RCAF KIA, F/O J.T. Farrell RCAF PoW, Sgt J.A. Perdue RCAF KIA, Sgt J. Keil PoW, Sgt A.G. Kerr KIA, F/O J.T. Farrell was interned in Camp L1, PoW No.5461. F/O R.L. Harris in Camps 9C/L3, PoW No.52673 Sgt J. Keil in Camp L7, PoW No.710, Sgt A. Loveridge in Camp 9C, PoW No.52691.

PA993  UM-H2   19th/20th  October 1944

F/O R.S. Clements, Sgt R.J. Terry, Sgt J. Air, Sgt L.T.A. Gardner RCAF, Sgt J.M. Hill, Sgt R. Richmond RCAF, Sgt T. Studney RCAF 

PA993 was delivered to 626 Sqdn 30May44. No operational history. No record of total hours. Airborne 1659 19Oct44 from Wickenby. On return to base overshot the runway and crashed 0013 20Oct44 amongst trees near Stainton by langworth, a village on the Lincoln to Market Rasen railway and just to the N of the main road leading from Lincoln to Horncastle. Sgt Terry died while being treated in Lincoln Hospital; he was taken to his home town for burial. F/O R.S. Clements Inj, Sgt R.J. Terry Inj, Sgt J. Air Inj, Sgt L.T.A. Gardner RCAF Inj, Sgt J.M. Hill Inj, Sgt R. Richmond RCAF Inj, Sgt T. Studney RCAF Inj. The aircraft was a Lancaster III, Serial No. PA993, of No. 626 Squadron, Wickenby, with a Canadian crew. It was returning from operations and was on approach to base, when it had to overshoot for some reason. The aircraft did not climb quickly enough and struck a tree at the edge of a field, ripping off one of the wheels.

PB411  4th/5th April 1945

F/O H.W. Reid RCAF, F/Sgt H.G. Reed, F/O D.H. Semeniuk RCAF, F/O D.H. Johnson RCAF,  F/O B.E.S. Stagg, F/O M.F.E. Sergeant RCAF, Sgt J.W. Churms RCAF

PB411 was a Mk.111 and was delivered to 626 Sqdn Aug44 Took part in the following Key Operations: Duisburg 14Oct44- Dalight; Osterfeld 31Dec44-Daylight; Dortmund 20/21Feb45. L_tzkendorf 4/5Apr44-Lost. No record of total hours PB411 was one of two 626 Sqdn Lancasters lost on this operation. See: PD295 Airborne 2055 to strike the Wintershall synthetic-oil plant. all are buried in the Berlin 1939-45 War cemetery. F/O H.W.Reid RCAF KIA F/S H.G.Reed KIA F/O D.H.Semeniuk RCAF KIA F/O D.H.Johnson RCAF KIA F/O B.E.S.Stagg KIA F/O M.F.E.Sergeant RCAF KIA Sgt J.W.Churms RCAF KIA "

PB412 UM-Z2  4th-5th  October 1944

F/O G.A. Green RNZAF, Sgt C.F. Farley, F/Sgt W.A.Stephens RAAF, F/O K.E.F.Taylor, F/S E.A. Dickson RAAF, Sgt W.C. Norman, Sgt L. Cohen 

PB412 was a Mk.111 and was delivered to 626 Sqdn Aug44. No operational history. No record of total hours. Airborne 1716 4th Oct 1944 from Wickenby for mine-laying duties in the Kattegat (Silverthorn Region). Lost without trace. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. F/O G.A.Green RNZAF KIA Sgt C.F.Farley KIA F/S W.A.Stephens RAAF KIA F/O K.E.F.Taylor KIA F/S E.A.Dickson RAAF KIA Sgt W.C.Norman KIA Sgt L.Cohen KIA "

PB561 UM-X2    Osterfeld 31st December 1944

F/O W.a.t. White RCAF, Sgt J.W. Adamson, F/O J.H. Corsbee RCAF, F/O M.H. Boyle RCAF, F/O C. Wright RCAF, Sgt R.J. Jones RCAF, Sgt G.Hopkins 

PB561 was a Mk.111 and was delivered to 626 Sqdn Sep44. Took part in the operations against Bochum 4/5Nov44 and Osterfeld 31 Dec44/1Jan45-crashed on return.  PB561 was one of two 626 Sqdn Lancasters lost on this operation. See: PB687 Airborne 1449 31 Dec44 from Wickenby. Crash-landed 2035 at Manston Emergency Airfield, Kent. No injuries reported. F/O W.a.t. White RCAF, Sgt J.W. Adamson, F/O J.H. Corsbee RCAF, F/O M.H. Boyle RCAF, F/O C. Wright RCAF, Sgt R.J. Jones RCAF, Sgt G.Hopkins "

PB687 UM-Q2   Osterfeld  31st December 1944

F/O R.O. Beattie RCAF, F/O F.J. Benolt, Sgt H. Harrison, F/O A.L. Warren RCAF, F/O K.A. McWilliam RCAF, Sgt K.H. Auston KIA, Sgt T.A. Casey RCAF KIA, F/O W.H. Pogson RCAF 

PB687 was a Mk.1 and was delivered to 626 Sqdn Oct44. PB687 was one of two 626 Sqdn Lancasters lost on this operation. See: PB561. Airborne 1451 31 Dec44 from Wickenby. Shot down over Allied-held territory. Those who baled out were soon in safe hands; the three airmen killed are buried at Hotton War cemetery, Belgium,  F/O R.O. Beattie RCAF, F/O F.J. Benolt (2nd Pilot), Sgt H. Harrison, F/O A.L. Warren RCAF, F/O K.A. McWilliam RCAF, Sgt K.H. Auston KIA, Sgt T.A. Casey RCAF KIA, F/O W.H. Pogson RCAF KIA 

Lancaster PB-687 of 626 Sqn lost on the 31st of December 1944/01 of January 1945. The aircraft crashed in Belgium. "Attenhoven" (area of Saint-Trond) as crash location and other sources say "area of Liège".  

It was probably shot down by Hptm Hager of 6/NG1

The air gunner-Terence Anthony Casey, was from  1426 Howard Avenue, Windsor, Ontario.

Born 24-11-1924, single, Irish descent, enlisted a year previously.

Parents-Frederick Charles Casey (Irish) & Ivy (nee Hobbs) English.  

My father, Flying Officer Kenneth Angus McWilliam, RCAF, was shot down on December 31, 1944 and baled out near Pepinster, Belgium. According to his log book, he made contact with the 49th AAA brigade, was driven to Brussels, and flown back to England. My dad rarely talked of his experiences, but one of the people that questioned my dad was a General Timberlake. He had actually given my dad his scarf. Our family has it and it has the general's name on it. Could this have been General E. W. Timberlake (of the 49th AAA Brigade)? My father lost three members of his crew on that fateful day. I'm working on a short story on my dad's wartime experiences and would like any information you may offer. I would like to personally thank the 49th AAA Brigade for taking such good care of my dad. Harry McWilliam   harebytheriver on Thu, 16 Feb 2006 

Kenneth Angus McWilliam, was born in August 1920 and raised on a farm near Thamesford, Ontario, Canada, about 15 miles east of London. 

PD286  Wiesbaden 2nd February 1945

F/Lt B.J. Grindrod, Sgt F.S. Nicholl, F/Sgt K.R. Collin RAAF, W/O D.D. Thomson RAAF, F/Sgt W.A. Pierce RAAF, Sgt R.H. Burrows, Sgt H.K. Norton.

PD286 was delivered to 626 Sqdn Aug 44. Airborne 2050 2 Feb 45 from Wickenby. Homebound when involved in a mid-air collision at 19,000 feet with a 460 Sqdn Lancaster (ME326), both aircraft falling 2300 at St-Maxent (Somme), 8 km SW of Abbeville. Sgt Norton is buried in the extension of Abbeville Communal Cemetery. F/L B.J. Grindrod, Sgt F.S. Nicholl, F/S K.R. Collin RAAF, W/O D.D. Thomson RAAF, F/S W.A. Pierce RAAF, Sgt R.H. Burrows, Sgt H.K. Norton.

ME326 was one of two 460 Sqdn Lancasters lost on this operation. G/C Parsons took off from Binbrook at 20:45, by 11pm, they were home bound when the aircraft was involved in a mid-air collision at 19,000 feet with a 626 Sqdn Lancaster (PD286), both aircraft crashed at St-Maxent Somme, 8 km south west of Abbeville. G/C Parsons survived, but the rest of the crew, including F/S Human who succumbed to his injuries, are buried in Abbeville Communal Cemetery.

PD287 UM-P  14th July 1945

Pilot: Flt/Sgt. Sydney Philip Bell 1389006 R.A.F.V.R. ,Flight Engineer: Sgt. Stanley Welsh 1597250 R.A.F.V.R. Age 19, Navigator: Flt/Sgt Lawrence William Garfield 1815298 R.A.F.V.R. Age 23,  Air/Bomber: Sgt. Percy John Allsebrook 1574022 R.A.F.V.R. Age 22, Wireless Operator : Flt/Sgt. Henry Jacob Plastow 1824870 R.A.F.V.R. Age 20, Air/Gunner: Sgt. Roy Charles Thomas Goldthorpe 1893883 R.A.F.V.R. Age 20
Take off RAF Wickenby on a BALBO exercise with the crew briefed to fly at 2,000 feet. Ran into a thunder storm and crashed 0155 at Wharram le Street, some 12 miles NW of Driffield airfield, Yorkshire. All are buried in various cemeteries in the United Kingdom. 
Note. 626 Squadron ORB has an entry for Sergeant J Critchley posted non effective sick to 14 Base on 14 July, but it is not clear if this was a result of the accident summarised above. 

PD295   2nd April 1945

F/Lt K.H. Eames DFC (Pilot), Sgt G.H. Fletcher (Flight Engineer), F/O A.D. Moore (Navigator), F/O W. Young (Bomb Aimer), P/O W.A. Mitcham (Wireless Operator), Sgt R.F. Clarke (Mid Upper Gunner), Sgt G. Davies (Rear Gunner)

PD295 was one of two 626 Sqdn Lancasters lost on this operation. See: PB411 airborne 2101 2 Apr45 from Wickenby to attack the Wintershall synthetic-oil plant. Presumed lost over the sea. Four are buried in France; Sgt Fletcher, found near Den Helder 18Jun45, is buried on Texel in Den Burg. F/L Eames and F/O Young are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. F/L K.H. Eames DFC KIA, Sgt G.H. Fletcher KIA, F/O A.D. Moore KIA, F/O W.Young KIA, P/O W.A. Mitcham KIA, Sgt R.F. Clarke KIA, Sgt G. Davies KIA

The bodies of P/O Mitcham and Sgt Clarke were washed ashore near the French village of Equihen and initially buried in the churchyard there. They were later moved to Boulogne Eastern Cemetery. F/O Moore is buried at Calais Southern Cemetery and Sgt Fletcher at Texel General Cemetery in Holland. The bodies of F/Lt Eames and F/O Young were never found and are commemorated at Runnymede Memorial.

YOUNG, WILLIAM    Service No: 154575    Rank: Flying Officer  Age: 22 

Son of William and Marion Findlay Young, of Penpont, Dumfriesshire. 

PD314  UM-J2    11th November 1944

F/O F.W. Dainty, Sgt V. Oates, WO2 V. Werier RCAF, F/Sgt J.D. Friend, Sgt A. Emerson, Sgt J. Powell, Sgt E. Skinner 

PD314 was delivered to 626 Sqdn Sep44. No operational history. No record of total hours. Airborne 1609 11Nov44 from Wickenby. Crashed 2113 on return to base, coming down approx. 1 mile NNE of the airfield. F/O Dainty is buried in Ilkley Cemetery; F/S Friend is buried at Chingford Mount Cemetery, F/O F.W.Dainty KIA, Sgt V.Oates Inj, WO2 V.Werier RCAF Inj, F/Sgt J.D.Friend KIA, Sgt A.Emerson Inj, Sgt J.Powell Inj, Sgt E.Skinner Inj ."

PD393 Nuremburg  16th March 1945

F/L J. Cox, Sgt R. Owen, F/O G.C. Warren, F/O S.S. Quinn RCAF, F/S J.W. Williams, F/S D.R. Egan, Sgt R.I. Noessen

PD393 was delivered to No.626 Sqdn Nov44. Airborne 1718 16 Mar 45 from Wickenby. Crashed at Burgoberbach, 7 km SSE from Ansbach. Those killed were buried at Burgoberbach Friedhof, just 50 metres or so N from where the Lancaster came down. They have been subsequently re-interred in Durnbach War cemetery, where F/O Warren is commemorated by a special memorial. F/L J. Cox Inj, Sgt R. Owen KIA, F/O G.C. Warren KIA, F/O S.S. Quinn RCAF PoW, F/S J.W. Williams KIA, F/S D.R. Egan KIA, Sgt R.I. Noessen PoW, F/L J. Cox, F/O S.S. Quinn and Sgt R.I. Noessen were confined in Hospital for five weeks due to injuries until Liberation.

PD432 UM-E2   25th May 1945

F/Sgt S.A.L Howes

Abandoned at 13.10 after engine fire in flight. Crashed near Southrey 8 miles from Horncastle in Lincolnshre. No injuries reported.

RF159 UM-C2  7th August 1945

P/O C R Chancellor, F/O N S Phillips, P/O C R Branch, F/S J F Kirk, W/O D R Cook, F/S J E Wilkinson 
Crashed at around 1200 at Carcassonne near Toulouse in southern France. All are buried at Mazargues Cemetery at Marseilles.Their average age was twenty-two. The crew consisted of two pilots, a flight engineer, a navigator, a wireless operator and one air-gunner.

626 Squadron Lost Aircraft

626 Squadron Identity Codes

Should you notice any errors in the above information, or have anything to add, I would be grateful for any input.       tom.bint@tiscali.co.uk

626 Squadron Roll of Honour

Back to 626 Sqdn Home Page