RAF Non-operational loss 21 March 1944
 

As you can see, 8th Fighter Command is my speciality and having helped so many others out, I'm afraid that it is now my turn to seek assistance from my RAF specialist colleagues.

I am very interested in finding out as much as I can about an incident that occurred on 21 March 1944. It seems that an RAF aircraft (I’m told that a “bomber” came down in flames) crashed at Wimborne Road, Moordown, Bournemouth. I am also told that it was on an authorised non-operational flight and the crash was not caused by enemy action. I know that at least one civilian was killed on the ground at No 1027 Wimborne Road.

Can anyone please help me find more information concerning this loss. I am particularly interested in finding details of the aircraft involved, total of casualties of both crew and civilians, and any names that could be added would be a welcome bonus. I assume that the local press would have reported the incident and no doubt the local beat Bobby would have written it up. I would be extremely grateful for any details at all that will help me add to my knowledge concerning this incident

Many thanks in anticipation.


Peter

Re: RAF Non-operational loss 21 March 1944
 

The aircraft was Halifax JP137 of 1865 HCU. There's is quite a good description here:

http://www.wintonforum.co.uk/halifax.html

A

Re: RAF Non-operational loss 21 March 1944
 

It's been reported on the Halifax forum as being a Ferry flight by 301 F.T.U / O.A.D.U to the Med. On 22nd March JP107 took off on a similar flight, landing at Celone near Foggia and 614 Sqdn, so JP137 could have been doing the same.

Most RAF crew were buried near their homes. McGregor being RCAF was buried at Brookwood Military cemetery. There are a number of other RAAF etc casualties, none allocated a Squadron, that may have been aboard, but all previous evidence has only come up with a 5 man crew. Was that usual for long distance ferry flights?
Can anyone provide details about :-
Name: GREEN, KENNETH
Initials: K
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Sergeant (Air Gnr.)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Age: 20
Date of Death: 21/03/1944
Service No: 1674977
Additional information: Son of Walter Henry and Jane Ellen Green, of Hull.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Compt. 227. Grave 24.
Cemetery: HULL NORTHERN CEMETERY

Some reports talk of 7 crew, others of 3 civilian deaths

Re: RAF Non-operational loss 21 March 1944
 

Gentlemen, I can't thank you enough. The URL gave exactly the information that I was looking for. I was searching on behalf of a very dear friend whose relative was in fact Mr Chislett, one of the deceased civilians. I knew that I could rely on this forum to provide the necessary information. The members here can always be relied upon and are to be commended for their public spirited attitude.

Peter

Re: RAF Non-operational loss 21 March 1944
 

Can only find 2 Civilian deaths ...

DOROTHEA BENNETT - http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_...sualty=3110980
PERCY FREDERICK CHISLETT - http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_...sualty=3110998

Re: RAF Non-operational loss 21 March 1944
 

Many thanks for looking Paul. Much appreciated.

Peter

Re: RAF Non-operational loss 21 March 1944
 

Gents,
Have on file that - besides the two civilians - also six crewmembers were killed. Take off 00.30 hrs and crashed 3 minutes later Wimbourne Road, Moordown, Bournemouth Borough. I've two names on file:
Sgt (Pilot) Denis P. EVANS - 132338, and
Sgt (Ag) Reginald R. McGREGOR - RCAF R/197660.
If found the place of their death registration the names of the remaining four may have been taken from the following list of airmen for this date unaccounted for in my files (besides GREEN already mentioned) in alphabetical order:
Sgt (WOp) George A. ALEXANDER - 1099966;
F/O (Bombaimer) Stanley A. APPLETON - 152127;
Sgt (Flt Eng) Stanley F. GENT - 1333177;
Cpl Alexander J.J. KENT - 1103917;
Sgt (Nav) Henry W. ROBERTS - 1585160;
S/Ldr Lloyd M. TIMMINS - 22126, and
Cpl Walter WOOD - 1512079.

Regards,
Henk.

Re: RAF Non-operational loss 21 March 1944
 

Henk, I also think there should be six crew members but the link only refers to 5, namely Appleton (bomb aimer), Evans (pilot), Gent (Flt Engr) (similar names to local residents), McGregor and Alexander (W/Op/ Gunner).
Of the rest on your list, I assumed the Corporals not to be aircrew.
I also felt a Sqdn Leader would merit mention, as none, therefore excluded Timmins.
Therefore I was a Navigator and a gunner short.
Green seemed a possible for the gunner, but I didn't know Roberts was a Navigator
Name: ROBERTS, HENRY WILLIAM
Initials: H W
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Sergeant
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Age: 37
Date of Death: 21/03/1944
Service No: 1585160
Additional information: Son of William and Sarah Roberts; husband of Eleanor May Roberts, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: 20. C. 13.
Cemetery: BROOKWOOD MILITARY CEMETERY.
I had assumed (!) that Roberts had died in hospital possibly from a different incident, as the rest of the crew had been buried close to their home addresses.
As McGregor is also buried there, it might be that they survived the initial crash and taken to Brookwood, but then dying from their injuries.
Name: McGREGOR, REGINALD ROTHWELL
Initials: R R
Nationality: Canadian
Rank: Sergeant
Regiment/Service: Royal Canadian Air Force
Age: 21
Date of Death: 21/03/1944
Service No: R/197660
Additional information: Son of Archibald and Lillian M. McGregor, of New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: 48. B. 3.
Cemetery: BROOKWOOD MILITARY CEMETERY

Now you've provided a Navigator, we may have a typical 7 man crew.

Re: RAF Non-operational loss 21 March 1944
 

Hi Peter
Following Henk's suggestion there are deaths registered at Bournemouth in the 1st Qtr of 1944 as follows:-
Dennis Evans(the middle initial is given as R),20
Reginald R McGregor,21, both known to Henk for this incident
From his Unknown list there are,
Alexander,24,
Appleton,30,
Gent,22,
and Roberts,35
Timmins,45, registered at Braintree, Essex
Wood 43, registered at Doncaster,W Yorkshire. It was his wife's home and he is buried there,may have died on leave.
Kent not on the England and Wales register and may have died in Scotland or N Ireland.He is buried in Glasgow
Incidentally,as you give your location as London, try the branch of the British Library opposite Colindale Station on the Northern Line where they keep copies and microfilm of almost all UK newspapers for the last 200 years or so. A WW2 incident is likely to be published up to 2 weeks after the event due to Censorship
Regards
Dick

Re: RAF Non-operational loss 21 March 1944
 

Dick,
What was the registration place for Sgt Kenneth GREEN ?
Regards,
Henk.