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In memory of the R. A. F. (V. R.) airmen who died as a result of a
crash at Glascoed farm on 23rd January 1944.
The Handley Page Halifax bomber n.. DG 358 of 116 Heavy
Conversion Unit from Faldingworth was struck by lighting.
Paul Kenneth Ernest Bennett, Pilot, aged 20 of Herne Bay
Albert Arthur Clark, Air Gunner, aged 22 of Little Hulton
Norman Fisher, Bomb Aimer, aged 22 of Cleckheaton
E. R. Gawler, Flight Engineer, aged 27 of Aberdeen
David Ramsey, Flight Engineer, aged 21 of Bentley, Doncaster
John Stanley Spriggs, Navigator, aged 31 of Leicester
William Henry Wareham, Wireless Operator
and Air Gunner, aged 20 of Chelmsford
William George Wyatt, Air Gunner, aged 20 of Islington |
With the introduction of new heavy bombers, the four-engined Short Stirling, Avro Lancaster, and Handley Page Halifax, the Royal Air Force introduced heavy conversion units (HCU). These HCUs began forming in late 1941, to qualify crews trained on medium bombers to operate the heavy bombers before final posting to the operational squadrons. Some of the HCUs were involved in bombing operations over Germany.
Remark: On the panel is described the plane would belong to the 116 Heavy Conversion Unit. Most other sources tell about the 1667 HCU which was stationed in RAF Faldingworth between October 1943 until February 1944. Information about a 116 HCU couldn't be found.
Narrative:
Halifax Mk. V DG 358 "J": Written off (destroyed) on 23/01/1944 when crashed on a cross country navigation exercise in poor weather conditions. Engine failure led to a mid-air break up in cloud. Aircraft came down at Cwm Farm, Bryn y Groes, Bwlch y Fridd, Caesws, Montgomeryshire. All nine crew were killed.
Accident occurred at 14.40 hours. The official accident report form (Air Ministry Form 1180) states: "Assumed lost control in storm with icing, lightning and engine trouble, followed by structural failure, during the inquiry it was also noted that the starboard outer engine showed signs of failure, starboard wing failed upwards, starboard tail smashed, icing present.
AIB stated aircraft was flying at 20,000 feet, before crash hail storm at time, probably engine failure. Pilot descended into cloud which turned out to be storm clouds. |
| Paul Kenneth Ernest Bennett |
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Flight Sergeant (Pilot)
1334810
abt. 1924
23 January 1944
20
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Herne Bay Cemetery, Kent, UK
Son of Kenneth Leslie and Kathleen Anne Bennett, nee Webber,of Herne Bay. |
| Albert Arthur Clark |
© Len |
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Sergeant (Air Gunner)
2210061
abt. 1922
23 January 1944
22
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Salford (Weaste) Cemetery, Lancashire, UK
Son of Albert Henry and Ellen Mary Clark, of Little Hulton. |
| Norman Fisher |
© Martin Bentley |
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Sergeant (Bomb Aimer)
1451885
abt. 1922, Bradford, West Yorkshire
23 January 1944
22
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Cleckheaton New Cemetery, Yorkshire, UK
Son of Harold and Jane Ellen Fisher, of Cleckheaton. |
| Ellis Robert Gawler |
© saligee |
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Sergeant (Flight Engineer)
1193341
03 September 1916, Turnworth, Dorset
23 January 1944
27
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Canford Magna Church Cemetery, Dorset, UK
Son of Harry and Caroline Alberta Gawler, nee Snook, of Wimborne. |
| David Ramsey |
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Sergeant (Flight Engineer)
1684235
abt. 1921
23 January 1944
21
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Bentley-with-Arksey New Cemetery, Yorkshire, UK
Son of Joseph and Mary Ramsay, of Bentley, Doncaster. |
| John Stanley Spriggs |
© Stan Murphy |
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Flight Sergeant (Navigator)
1449550
abt. 1913
23 January 1944
31
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Chester (Blacon) Cemetery, Cheshire, UK
Son of Dr. Neville Ivens Spriggs and Emily Jane Spriggs, nee Gimson, of Leicester,
husband of Eleanor Myfanwy Spriggs. |
| William Henry Wareham |
© Lost
Archives
Project |
© julia&keld |
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Sergeant (Wireless Operator
and Air Gunner)
1319125
15 February 1923, Chelmsford, Essex
23 January 1944
20
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Chelmsford (Writtle Road) Cemetery, Essex, UK
Son of William Henry and
Ellen Adelaide Wareham, nee Moore, of Chelmsford. |
| William George Wyatt |
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Sergeant (Air Gunner)
1893144
03 March 1923, Hackney, London
23 January 1944
20
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Abney Park Cemetery, London, UK
Son of William George and Florence Ethel Wyatt, nee Mills, of Islington. |
The war memorial "1914 - 1918" can be found on Lost Ancestors' Aberhafesp WW I. |
