Crash "Srgt. Surridge" 15 August 1940

[Observer1940]

I have come across a reference at 0718 on 15.8.40 in a Balloon Group ORB, referring to No.956 Squadron (Langley Balloon Squadron) finding part of a tunic with air gunner badge and 3 stripes on arm name of SURRIDGE on identity disc taken by police. Instructed to get in touch with police and obtain identity number.

In a HQFC Intell Signal from 11 Group there is a reference to a friendly aircraft hitting the Langley Barrage and crashing at Larborne Farm, West Drayton and Ops report it as a returning bomber. [Whitley P4982]

I have tried AHB, asked Bucks / Middlesex Archives regarding the Police records, including the group that campaign to get missing personnel added to the CWGC registers. Despite trying I cannot find anything else about this person, who is first mentioned at 0650 as Srgt. Surridge, but no number?

Does anyone have any information about this, or a Surridge please?

Mark

[Larry]

The aircraft was indeed a Whitley and from 51 Sqn. It was returning from a mission to Bordeaux. According to Air Britain the aircraft crashed at Langley Bucks not too far from West Drayton.

The crew were all killed and included

PO SP Swenson
Sgt Dawson
Sgt Obrien
Sgt Tait
Sgt Stubberfield

I wonder if the ORB report meant to say Stubberfield, as names were occasionally recorded incorrectly - often the unusual names are the ones people forget once they get back to writing up the ORB. I've even seen it for Sqn numbers where the numbers are transposed which does half confuse the issue!