RAF bomber crash Cattawade/Brantham, Essex.

[ashley356]

Hi

I too used to live in Brantham and still have several sackfuls of wreckage from this Stirling which I collected as a kid in the 70's.

My Gran witnessed the crash from what used to be the Bucks. The aircraft broke up in mid air and a large piece fell behind the Crown pub. The crew were recovered from the wreck and laid out alongside the A137 apparently. The only survivor baled out very low and was injured when he landed on the bridge near Bridge Garage.

For many years one of the main wheels was visible in the river but vanished when the 'new' bridge was put in.

The site itself is now underwater as the RSPB have purchased the marshes as a nature reserve and partially flooded them.

At least two of the crew are buried in Ipswich Old Cemetery.

Hope this is of interest.