50th Squadron - WW2 - Casualties 5/11/44

[Bonnie Lassie]

My cousin, Robert Norval CUNNINGHAM, was a gunner aboard an ill-fated Lancaster, Serial No. LM429 which crashed on May 11, 1944 while on a bombing mission to Lille.  The 50th Squadron crew members took off from Skellingthorpe, at 22 16 hrs on the night of May 10, 1944.

I am posting the names of the crew members, with the hope that some of their survivors may contact us:

McFARLAN, Frank Stuart - Age 20 - Pilot Officer
Parents - Charles and Emily McFARLAN - Wallasey, Chesire

INGRAM, Douglas St. Clair - Age ? - Sgt. Flight Engineer
Born in UK

ELLIOTT, James Reginald - Age 20 - Flt. Sgt. Navigator
Parents - Reginald Wm. and Katie ELLOTT - Quinton, Birmingham

BALL, Donald Faulkner - Age 22 - Flt. Sgt. Air Gunner
Parents - Charles Sydney and Florence BALL - Beeches, Surrey

CRAVEN, Leonard - Age 22 - Sgt (W op/Air Gunner
Parents - Fred and Agnes CRAVEN - New Farnley, Leed, Yorkshire

ROSS, Wallace Milton - Age 21 - Pilot Officer/Air Gunner
Parents - David Morrison and Kate ROSS - Dirleton, Alberta Canada - RCAF

CUNNINGHAM, Robert Norval - Age 22 - Sgt/Air Gunner
Parents - George and Mary Dougan CUNNINGHAM - Peekskill, NY (formerly of Glasgow, Scotland) - RCAF

Hopefully someone will find a connection to one of these brave young airmen.

Bonnie Lassie

[alamoon]

Hello ,

You probably will have this information , anyway :

Lancaster III LM-429 crashed near Oostvleteren Belgium , shot down by Hptm Breves Adolf IV./NJG1  0001 hrs  2nd victory. The crew is buried at the Oostvleteren churchyard   
 

[DeeBoneham]

Hi

If you have not already done so it might be worth contacting 50 Sqns Association - Gerry Collins, 35 Wetherby Crescent, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN6 8SY: tel 01522 681482 [FWH 02/01] a personal site: http://personal.nbnet.nb.ca/garlandb/bomber.html  as they might be able to help you.  Members of families are very welcome by the assns and you never know you there might be one of the vets who remembers your family member.

Good luck with getting more details and contacts as it helps to fill in the gaps.

Dee

[Bonnie Lassie]

Thank you so much for the additional information regarding the death of my cousin, Bobby and the other members of the crew.

A strange coincidence, is that his Uncle -- also named Robert Norval Cunningham -- was killed in Belgium during WW1 (he belonged to the Royal Scottish Brigade).  His grave is about 10 miles from Bobby's.

Best wishes,
Bonnie Lassie

[kyt]

Hi Bonnie

afraid I can't add anything directly but if I may correct one point - there's no "th" in RAF squadrons. It should read 50 Squadron. It may sound pedantic but I can assure you that many RAF veterans get a bit peeved by this americanism too

K

[Bonnie Lassie]

Actually our Bobby was born in Scotland and came to the USA as a child.  When WWII was declared in the US, he tried to enlist in the armed service.  He did not have American citizenship so his request was denied.  His determination to serve, took him to Canada where he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. His unit was attached to the RAF 50 Squadron at Skillingthorpe.  Whether you add a "th" or not, the dedicated members of the armed forces were all fighting on the same side, regardless of whatever petty differences may still exist. 

[DeeBoneham]

Hi Bonnie Lass

We Brits are really grateful to anyone who fought on our side and especially people like Bobby who didnt have to that early.  RAF Skellingthorpe has lots of information on the web and I believe there is a memorial room in Birchwood Community Centre, Birchwood Road Lincoln (on site of RAF Skellingthorpe) which if you ever get over here would be worth a visit.  They were based there twice from 26/11/41 to 20/06/42 and 17/10/42 to 15/06/45...

Dee

[alamoon]

Hello ,
Please find here some pictures of the Oostvleteren cemetery

[Bonnie Lassie]

Thank you much.  Best wishes, from Bonnie Lassie