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General => Armed Forces => World War Two => Topic started by: shirtylady on Monday 09 January 12 18:55 GMT (UK)
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I am trying to find out a little more about the death of my Uncle Stanley Eric Taft in WWII. He died on 7 September 1941 in Empingham. He was a volunteer reserve in Squadron 144 and was only 20 years old. I have found out that his aircraft (Hampden I) crashed shortly after take off and this is recorded as being on the Empingham to Ketton road, Rutland, which was NE of the airfield, about 4 miles away from Stamford, Lincolnshire.
It would be interesting to find out the circumstances of the crash. His gravestone is in Birmingham so recovery would have taken place. Perhaps there was a newspaper article about the crash, or maybe there is an official record, although I know I will have to apply to the RAF at Innsworth.
Can anyone offer advice.
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On the armed Services Board there is a site about help with RAF lookups. The poster is kyt.
If anyone can helpyou kyt can altho you may have to join the queue for an answer.
charlotte
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Many thanks Charlotte, I will certainly join the queue.
Pam
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A double engine failure 3 minutes after take off on a mission to Berlin - according to this site
http://www.lostbombers.co.uk/bomber.php?id=9935
Hope it helps a little
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Many thanks SueK50
This is very much appreciated. At least I know why the aircraft crashed. Such a waste of life. I understand that this particular aircraft was later dropped by Bomber Command as being unreliable. Thanks also for the link. I will add this to my file.
Thanks again,
Pam
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Pleasure Pam - it really is hard to sit here 70 years later and imagine what they went through - truly an incredible generation - as you say - such a waste of life
Cheers
Sue
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I suggest you give the records section at RAF Museum, Hendon a call on 020 8205 2266. They hold records of all known RAF fatalities during WW2 and since you have name, date and location they should be able to tell you more about the circumstances. They are always most helpful.
Regards,
Keith
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Hi Keith, thanks for the suggestion. Will certainly give them a call.
Pam.
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Your Uncle's aircraft, Hampden AE 304 was crewed by P/O R.J. Roake, Sgt. B Hemmings, Sgt. E. Horton and Sgt. S.E. Taft. It is possible the aircraft stalled shortly after take off.
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Hi David, I have now established that it was double engine failure just after take off. After some other helpful information from replies, I intend to contact Hendon RAF Museum records. I would like to find out what the aircraft was scheduled for on that fateful day. I know it's journey was to Berlin, but was it on a bombing raid, or was it reconnaisance. This extra bit of information would complete my record for the Uncle I never remember meeting, although I was a babe in arms at the time.
In view of the fact he was so young and that he was a volunteer reserve made it so tragic for the family at that time. I know this was the case in so many households.
Thanks for your interest.
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Hi, if there are any records of the crash investigation they will be held on the National Archive site, I have been in contact with those who used to hold the records and they sent me this letter explaining what happened to the records. Hope this helps,
lowanslow.
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Many thanks for this very useful bit of information. TNA would certainly be the best option to try. I have now been in touch with the RAF Museum Archives at Hendon, who were extremely helpful. On written request, they are happy to supply photocopies of the Lost Bomber Card and/or Accident Card in respect of the Hampden Accident in 1941. I will wait to see what this turns up, then TNA next stop to see if there is anything in their records.
I will let you know the outcome.
Thanks again.
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I don't know about the crash but I do know the area as I used to live in Oakham. You could contact the local newspaper The Rutland and Stamford Mercury who have extensive archives and may be able to provide copies of any report at the time. The contact details are
Stamford Mercury
Sheep Market
Stamford
PE9 2QZ
Telephone: 01780 762255
Email: smeditor@stamfordmercury.co.uk
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Many thanks for your suggestion. I will certainly write to the local newspaper. Their archives may well have a report.
Thanks again.
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I have also been in touch with Gaydon RAF Museum archives who have been very helpful. I have now received photocopies of the Accident Report Card which explains a little more.
Thanks to everyone for your help.
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Would it be possible for you post a copy here please?
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I am trying to find out a little more about the death of my Uncle Stanley Eric Taft in WWII. He died on 7 September 1941 in Empingham. He was a volunteer reserve in Squadron 144 and was only 20 years old. I have found out that his aircraft (Hampden I) crashed shortly after take off and this is recorded as being on the Empingham to Ketton road, Rutland, which was NE of the airfield, about 4 miles away from Stamford, Lincolnshire.
It would be interesting to find out the circumstances of the crash. His gravestone is in Birmingham so recovery would have taken place. Perhaps there was a newspaper article about the crash, or maybe there is an official record, although I know I will have to apply to the RAF at Innsworth.
Can anyone offer advice.
Hi,
I am the son of another 144 Squadron pilot (Peter Stevens), who force-landed near Amsterdam upon returning from the same mission on which your uncle was lost. My father also acted as P/O Roake's Navigator for several ops when he was first posted to the squadron in early April, 1941.
I have a copy of the Squadron ORB, which mentions engine failure as the cause of your uncle's crash. Being a pilot myself, I would be shocked that it would have been a double engine failure. Not only would that have been exceedingly rare, but it would have been much easier to recover from than a single engine failure (which causes all kinds of problems in a twin-engined plane due to adverse yaw causing the plane to corkscrew violently into a fatal spin). With a double engine failure, you would just glide straight ahead into the nearest field.
Please message me if you would like a copy of the ORB page that mentions your uncle's crash. It does not say "double engine failure", only "engine failure".
Best,
Marc Stevens
Toronto
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Harry Moyle's "Hampden File" confirms "engine failure"
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Is your Uncle the Taft in this photo of 14 OTU? If so he trained with my Father.
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Sorry about that, got Tate and Taft confused, old age! I have tried to remove the post but to no avail!
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My fathers brother was in 144 Squadron RAF. His aircraft P4368 was lost night 10/11 August 1940 operation to Homberg. It's at the bottom of the Isselmeer, Dutch genleman has told me it will be found eventually. Whether it was on it's way in or out not known. From same source, I know only the pilots body was washed up. The pilot, P/O Tudhope DFC. He was buried with full military honours by the SS VT (Reserve Troops) Division, later 2nd SS Panzer Division 'Das Reich'. Perhaps shot down by their Flak battalion.
They were all early 20's. Yours will not be in RAF Bomber Command Losses by WR Chorley as listed as an accident.
I have attached a photo of 144 Sqdn. aircrew July or August 1940. I don't know whether you will be able to see any same faces.