Score : -/10

My Uncle Leo Urry was on an aircraft declared lost 12.5.1943 Stirling BK 661
How would we or my dad ever know if the Aircaraft was located. Was part of 90 Squadron

Score : 9/10

My Uncle of same name went down Geetbets Belgium, July 4th 1943. Stirling OJ-B BF530 of 149 (East India)Sqdn. I have done the research, visited the cemetary and crash site, met eye witnesses and even touched pieces of the aircraft. If you have aircrew connections or have further information, pleased to hear from you. We still have scant details on two aircrew.

Pat Hodgkinson

Score : -/10

I am researching Americans who served with the RAF and RCAF during the Second World War.

Any contact with relatives of ex RAF/RCAF American personnel would be appreciated.

Please contact: wpf13@hotmail.com

Score : 10/10

Hello I am researching my great uncle Pilot Officer Willam Quinton Johnson J17660 who flew with R.A.F. squadron 15. He and his crew were flying stirling bomber BF482 LS-R when they were shot down by flak over Dortmund on May 23 1943. Anyone with information and/or pictures of Willam and his crew would be greatly appreciated. The names of his crew are ;
Lyons H.N.
Flaherty M.J.
Waite H.G.C.
Ryall C.F.
Hirst S.D.
Elford N.R.J.
Leonard R.O.
Thank you
Tim

Score : -/10

To Lesley Rogers and other Guestbook entries .............

I have posted some details for you Lesley, on the forum and I will continue to 'post' details for other Guestbook' entries, in the not-to-distance- future.

Bruno, I and fellow members, invite you to join the forum site because we appreciate your comments and will endeavour to answer your queries.

Kind regards,
John

Score : 10/10

Hi my father was KG Hook DFM OF 75 Sqd - does any one know of him or the crash of 1/12/1943 all crew killed and five children at north togston nr Acklington - Northumberland.

Score : 9/10

Thank you for your hard work in setting up this and linked websites. I have been able to locate where my Grandfather John Kneeshaw is buried, and have now seen photographs of the planes he flew. One day I hope to go there with my mother.

Is there anybody who has any more information about him or photographs. His name was Sgt John Kneeshaw 1378284, and he was an RAF pilot shot down on 30th May 1942. I understand that like many others he was an extremely brave man.

Score : -/10

On behalf of family in Edmonton. Researching Stirling crash 31 Jan 1944, near Carlton-le-Moorland. Pilot F/O James Hubert Mason DFC (RCAF) 1660 HCU (RAF Swinderby), died 1 Feb 1944, buried Springbank cemetery Aberdeen. Any details much appreciated.
Regards. R.Parker (ex-RAF)

Score : -/10

Many thanks Paul,

I'm sure Bruno, our site administrator will follow that lead up.
Please find time to visit the forum.
Regards,
John

Score : 10/10

Hi Guys,

I hope you don't mind me telling you that I work for a monthly publication called the 'Britain At War Magazine'. I wanted to inform you all that in the current edition, 'issue 31' which is on sale from today, that there is a editorial article relating to the Stirling BF333.

I am sure you will find it of interest.

Many thanks,

Paul

Score : -/10

Hi,
I'm trying to locate the family of a man called J.Denny. He died 15 octobre 1942 near a place called Ingen. I read that Anna from New-Zealand said something about a Serg. J Denny, (Fl Eng.), so I was hoping someone here could help me tracing his family.
All I know about him is he came from England, died at 15 october 1942, was with Squadron 149 on a Stirling bomber from an East India squadron and that the plane crashed near Ingen.
Could one of you please help me?

Score : 9/10

Hi Bruno,
Thanks very much indeed for your prompt and very detailed reply to my query. This is a great website and I'll very certainly return many times.
Thanks again.
Best regards.
Halibag3

Score : 9/10

Hi all,
I'm new to this forum and look for information about an airman buried in Adegem Canadian War Cemetery. He is
Sgt (Air Gunner) Alfred Stanley WHEELER 1215716 of 295 Squadron.
He died on 19 Sept 1944 aged 23 and rests in Plot 6 Row E Grave 10.
I understand 295 flew Stirling IV from Harwell, Oxon at time of death.
Is his death related in some way to airdrop operations at Arnhem (Market)? And did the rest of the crew manage to fly back to Blighty?
What happened ?
Any snippet would be most appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Halibag3

Score : -/10

hello is was just wondering if there is any one from the 190 squadron in 1945 if you let me no thanks

Score : 9/10

Thank you for the information concerning Derek William Eves and his comrades. He is remembered on the Hampton Wick War Memorial in the south-west corner of London.

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You may wish to know that Henry Payne, who flew Stirlings with 299 Squadron at Arnhem, died last month after a long illness.

Score : 10/10

What a great website, Im wondering if anyone might be able to help me. Some aviation archaeology colleagues recently excavated the crash site of a Stirling that crashed on On 22nd November 1942 it was coded BF333 from the 1651 Heavy Conversion Unit and took off from Waterbeach airfield in Cambridgeshire. On that night its crew were :-
Pilot Sgt C K Easton RNZAF
Sgt E Kirby
Sgt J B Williams
Sgt J Banyer
Sgt L H Patterson
Sgt W Jennings
Sgt N R Hutchins
I am currently writing up the incident for a popular magazine covering 20th C British military history and was wondering if anyone knows any 1651 HCU veterans who may have photographs of Unit aircraft, any members of this crew or any war time photographs of Waterbeach indeed anything 1651 HCU related.....full credit will be given to any sources of assistance in the article.
Many thanks and kind regards
Julian Evan-Hart

Score : 9/10

John,

I have received information from Sgt. Poole's son indicating that there were 9 crew aboard Stirling BF512 for the air test. Based on the fact that my grandfather was reassigned on 9 august 1943 on medical grounds and the information from Mr. Poole indicates that a ninth crew member was injured, we feel certain that this was the incident that injured my grandfather. If anyone has any additional information about the crash of BF512, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.

Alex,
William Alex Campbell, grandson of Sgt. William A. Etchells, RCAF.

Score : -/10

To John Forman,

I will be posting some details, as they come to hand, on the forum.
I invite you to join in.
Regards,
John

Score : 9/10

Hello
A friend of mine inherited a screen dedicated to 196 Squadron with whom her uncle served and lost his life in World War 11.
The embroidered screen contains the 196 Squadron crest, a Stirling towing a glider and some 60 signatures of her late uncles aircrew colleagues.
Plus an inscription that Charles Alf Myers was listed as missing on the night of 8/9 November 1944 ' lost over the Zieder Zee '
38 Group Roll of Honour confirms that Flight Sergeant 1118734 Charles Alf Myers 196 Squadron died on 9 November 1944
Other 196 Squadron aircrew deaths listed on the same date are:
Flying Officer 153058 John Anthony Norton
Flying Officer 157181 Derek William Eves
Flight Sergeant 1602316 Harry Ruston
Sergeant 1685038 John Vass Thompson
Sergeant 1895539 Maurice Arthur Goult

My friend would like to add more information to this family tribute,
Service record, aircrew roll, mission and crash detail, fate of the bodies etc; Any information would be appreciated.
Regards
John Forman

Score : 10/10

Hello

My late Dad was a flight engineer who served with 296 squadron as air crew.

His name was Ron Norman Stevens (Service Number 181772, and whilst I have his engineer notes for both the Liberator and Halifax aircraft (he was also flying in Wellingtons and Stirling's), his Log book was sent to my late brother, a commercial pilot in Australia, so I no longer have a record of his flights.

However, I recall vividly the log book entries for operation VARSITY, both the training and actual operation written in red ink. Unfortunately, I don't know what aircraft he was in or who the other crew members were , although I think they may have beenl Canadians.

I also recall that his tug was towing a glider carrying a field ambulance, if this is true it would have been in a group of gliders with chalk numbers between 176 and 182 (ref book "Wot No Engines").


Whilst Dad talked about the squadron with great affection and pride, I haven't got a real coherent story about where he was stationed or the people he knew? Most of all I haven't got any photographs!


Any help would be most appreciated.

Score : -/10

Hello
I'm looking for information about my late uncle, John Griifiths, and his fellow airmen.
I am told that he was a Wellington (12 missions) then Stirling (3 or 4 missions) pilot in 196 squadron.
His plane was shot down over Holland in, I think, 1943 and he was the only survivor and was captured and became a POW.
I have a squadron photo with 5 signatures on the back, one of them my uncle's.
Two of the others are DLP Justice and I Llewellyn. I have discovered that both are buried at Enschede General East Cemetary in Holland.
The War Graves Commission records show that both died on 31 August 1943. This may be the date of my uncle's final crash.
The other two names on the photo are (the writing is not totally clear) are C P Pierce and G S Ould. I can not find either among War Graves Commissions records.
If anyone has any information or would like to obtain any from me I would be very please.
Many thanks
Peter Jones

Score : -/10

Hello,

The Forum is online!
The link in on the main page of the Website.
To avoid spammers and hackers, you'll have to be registered before posting.
Best regards.

Bruno LECAPLAIN

Score : 10/10

What a great site!
I am trying to find information about my father, Flight Lieutenant Mark Borthwick GARVEN, who was a Navigator on Stirlings doing glider tows.
I do not have access to his logs, but he apparently did save them. My brother (some 2000 miles away from me) has them, and I am trying to get him to copy or scan them for my upcoming trip to the UK in August/September.
If anyone has any information at all on my dad, I would very much appreciate hearing from you.

(Capt) Chris M. Garven
Inuvik, NWT, Canada
garven@northwestel.net or
cmgarven@gmail.com

Score : 10/10

To Philip,

I have spoken to various researchers, in particular, 'Smudge' who is a researcher on No:3 (Bomber) Group 1936-45. I put this question to the forum, from the ...........

www.lancaster-archive.com/


He mentioned that the ORB's for 214 Squadron were - 4 x 2000lbs, 1 x 500lbs.

The information I have on the aircraft lost in 1942, was Short Stirling, W7567, BU-S, out of 214 Squadron.

Hope these details are of help to you.
Regards,
John

Score : 9/10

I am looking for information about a bomboad of a stirling short down in Holland Werkendam. it had at least 2x 2000lbs on board, but also a number of 500lbs, anyone can give me exact load

Score : 10/10

Thankyou so much for the information concerning the 149 sqdn stirling BF512, OJ-E, during the 'Air Test'. I am the son of Sgt R. W. Poole who was performing the compass adjustment and have visited the war graves of my father and the pilot, Sgt J.W. Cumming RCAF many times.
One thing puzzles me. My late mother always told me they took off from Mildenhall !! couldit be possible they were doing circuits at Lakenheath?
By the way I also joined the RAF as an apprentice and served 18 years as a navigation instrument fitter. This of course included "compasses". Many thanks for the very interesting site.
Tony.

Score : 10/10

Alex,

The 'air test' was the date you listed ( 9th Aug 43 ) I can find no records at present for you grandfather. Thats not to say they are not available.

The 'next of kin' and or family members ( with written conformation ) can obtain, in person or over the net, ORB's ( operational record books ) ie, you can obtain records of each and every operation, including crew list, target, bomb load, op description, etc. It all depends on the records kept by that particular squadron base that your grandfather was at. There is a fee involved, ie: it may be 30pounds, just depends on how much info your after. Google 'National Archives' in Kew, England to make the enquiry.

'Chorleys' are a set of 9 volumes, ie: RAF Bomber Command Losses 1939-47, which also list HCU's and OTC's ( training units ) for which there were many accidents & deaths. You would be staggered to see how many ! Each volume covers each year of the war for all RAF personnel which includes allied forces.

These details come from record keeping from most of the bases. As expected, there are some mix ups with crews and or aircraft but as a whole, they are the real deal.

I have all nine volumes but also call contacts from ........
lancaster-archive.com/forum/
( full RAF operations list on raids )
&
www.luftwaffe-experten.org/
( Luftwaffe pilots claims and A.A. Units claims, etc. )
for which I'm a member of both sites.
The people on these sites have a wealth of information.
Regards,
Jo

Score : -/10

Hi - I'm trying to trace any information about where my father Raymond H G Coombs would have flown from during WWIIand which air command he would have been posted to. He was an observer and did training in Canada prior to 1943. He ended up in Singapore as a Squadron Leader in 1946-1948. I would be very grateful for any info or pointers which will help throw some light on his RAF career. Thanks

Score : 10/10

K,

Thanks for the information. What was the date listed for this air test flight?

This would answer what happened to most of my grandfather's normal crew mates but still does not help me find information about the crash in which my grandfather was injured, which is what I am most interested in. If there are any details about my grandfather on or near August 9, 1943, I would greatly appreciate it.

And what is Chorleys and where could I reference it?

Score : 10/10

To Alex,

Details from Chorleys, vol 4, page 260.

149 Sqn, Stirling 111, BF512, OJ-E, 'Air Test' ( Notice eight crew members)

Sgt. J.W. Cumming RCAF KIA.
Sgt. J. Dabbs KIA.
Sgt. G. Jones KIA.
Sgt. A. M. Stirling KIA.
Sgt. G.H. Riley KIA.
Sgt. S.L. Noakes KIA.
Sgt. R.W. Poole KIA.
AC2 R.W. Cooper KIA.

Take off from Lakenheath, crashed 11:19hrs roughly 1 mile NE from Lakenheath airfield, Suffolk, after control was lost while overshooting.
The crew had been carrying out a compass adjustment flight, overseen by Sgt. Poole who, along with his Canadian pilot, is buried in St John's church, Beck row, Mildenhall.

Footnote - Lakenheath was 149 Sqn base from April 43 to May 44.
Sgt. R.J. Cockshott & Sgt. R.A. Cooper were both KIA on an operation to Cologne on the 28/29 June 1943.

Mildenhall was base from April 37 to April 43.

The reason you may find it hard to gain information on this crew, as you will notice, it was classed as a Air Test.

Hope these details are of some help.

Regards,
John

Score : 10/10

I am looking for information about a Short Stirling incident during WWII involving my grandfather. I have found supporting collateral information to narrow my search but I have not been able to find any details of the specific incident and I am hoping that someone might be able to assist me. My grandfather is Sgt. William Albert Etchells, Mid-upper Gunner 149 Squadron based in Mildenhall. The incident for which I am trying to find details occurred on August 9th, 1943. The crew should be listed as:

Sgt. J. W. Cumming, Pilot
Sgt. G. Jones, Navigator
Sgt. G. H. Riley, Wireless Operator
Sgt. A. M. Stirling, Bomb Aimer
Sgt. W. A. Etchells, Mid Upper Guns
Sgt. R. J. Cockshott, Flight Engineer
Sgt. S. L. Noakes, Rear Guns

My grandfather, Sgt. Etchells was the reportedly the sole survivor. My grandfather's Service # was (CAN)R.147198 and I know that the pilot's # was R.128687 (taken from a photo of his tombstone). The best I have been able to find is a letter in my grandfather's personal effects dated 17th August 1943 and issued by M. P. Fleming, Squadron Leader, Officer Commanding from No. 3 District Headquarters RCAF in Peterborough. The letter indicates, "I am indeed sorry to hear of your condition and the tragic accident in which there were so many casualties." According to the story recounted by my grandfather, their plane cart wheeled on the runway upon returning to base due to damaged sustained during the mission. The airplane caught fire and my gr

Score : 10/10

To Barry Coombs,

You can obtain, for a fee, the ORB's ( operational record books ) for your late grandfather, whether it be online or in person, from the National Archives in Kew, England.

They, in most cases supply the crew details, target for the operation, bomb load, etc and a very brief detail of that operation, depending on the records kept from that squadron.

I am of the opinion that this really is fantastic information to have, of a loved one. If you google 'the national archives' and type in 'air27' in the relevant box, you can bring such detail ......... or ........ you can request relevant details and quotation from the client services.

Regards,
John

Score : -/10

Hi,

I have just come across your wonderful website whilst trying to find out more information about my late grandfather Leonard John Head (John Leonard Head). He flew strilings during WWII and I understand he also was an instructor possibly based in Tilstock. I am trying to collect more information but I believe he also flew to Canada with the RAF and possibly crashed in Canada as well, although I am not sure if this was in a Stirling. If anyone knows any information or can point me in the direction of where I can try and find out more it would be much appreciated.

Kind Regard

Barry Coombs

Score : 9/10

Sgt.FW (Frank) O'Sullivan
"Frank arrived at the No.3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth on 10 March 1942 and posted on to on 29 March 1942 to No 11 Operational Training Unit at Bassinngbourne, Hertfordshire, were he trained as an air gunner on a Wellington bomber Aircraft. He under took more training at the No. 1483 Gunnery Flight school at Stradishall, Suffolk and later in September 1942 posted to the 149 Squadron, Mildenhall/Lakenheath Suffolk. He went on six operational flights, Hamburg, Kiel as well as German sea mining operations.
On the 15 October 1942 Frank and with Serg. FlSerg. JC Brocket,(Pilot). Serg. FC Pike, (Airgun). Serg. J Denny, (Fl Eng.). FlSerg. RG Blair, (Navig). Serg.TB Bywaters, (Airgun). Serg. MJ Howe,(Obs) took off on Air Operation to attack Cologne, Germany, the plane failed to return to base. All the crew were reported missing at first but reports later via the International Red Cross Committee revealed that Sergeant Frank O'Sullivan and other members of his crew status changed from "Missing" to "Killed" and presumed to have occurred on the 15 October 1942, information found later via the IRCC that he was buried at Utrecht. Later moved to Amersfoort,(Old Leusden) General Cemetery, Holland.". Out of 289 that took off that night 21 did not return,
This site has been very useful. Would like to make contact with any relatives of above crew or any one with additional information.
Anna

Score : -/10

To Geoff Jenkin,

These details come from Chorleys Bomber Command Losses, volume 9, page 288 and volume 4, page 421.

NZ416119 F/O Ralph Francis Jenkin KIA 16/12/1943 75 Sqn.

75 Sqn, Stirling 111, EF163, JN-L, Operation ' Gardening'
Take off at 17:00 hrs from Mepal for mine laying off Frisians. Crashed in bad visibility at Biddington Farm, Sutton, Cambridgeshire. The three Commonwealth crewman rest in Cambridge City Cemeterey. The cause of crash may have been due to the aircraft's centre of gravity, being effected by the mine that had failed to release.

Crew ........

P/O C.J. Kinross NZAF +
Sgt. R. Askew +
F/O R.F. Jenkin RZAF +
Sgt. R.H. Emmerson RAAF +
Sgt. W. Savage +
Sgt. S. Newman injured
Sgt. J. Warner +

Hope these details are of some help. You can get all ORB's (operational record books) from the National Archives in Kew, England.

ie: full operation & crew details of each operation your family member was on. There is a cost involved but worth every cent.

John

Score : 10/10

My father was Albert Edward Maloney. A Flight Lieutenant. He was a Stirling bobmer pilot. He flew out on June5th at 23.59 and returned from a successful mission for which he was awarded the DFC and bar.
Never boasted about his RAF work. The family was very proud of him.

Score : 8/10

Hi

Very informative site.

I am trying to trace any information about my fathers brother - Herbert Anthony Sims, known as Tony. He was a mid upper air gunner with 90 Squadron, serving on Sterlings and then Lancasters during world war 2. If any one has any information about his service I know that my father would be very pleased.

Nigel Wyatt

Score : 10/10

My dads cousin Ralph Francis Jenkin went down in a stirling 3 in Cambrigeshire operation gardener in 1943 aged 23??!!!. Can you point me to a site that might tell me what happened. He was with 75 RAF squdron and took off from Mepal.

Score : 10/10

Hi
I did enjoy your website. I wonder if you could help me. I am trying to find information about my mothers cousin, Sergeant Leonard Jeffrey he was a flight engineer with 299 squadron and is listed as missing on the 31st of March 1945. If anyone could tell me the details of his mission of any information about him or his Stirling, I would be very grateful.

With the best of regards and keep up the good work

Robin Ruddock.