Air Force Lookups - if you need help

[7903]

Hi Kyt,
In researching the family tree I have come across a reference to a Wellington bomber that crashed not far from where a relative lived in the village of Randwick, Gloucestershire. It came down on the 29th Jan 1943, can you please find out more about the crew and why it crashed.
Thank you
7903

[kyt]

Hi 7903

Randwick being about 1 mile NW of Stroud I believe this is the crash.

Wellington W5705 of 21 Operational Training Unit.

Returning from a Nickling mission (mission to drop propaganda leaflets over enemy territory. OTU crews often went on such missions near the end of their training as it was seen as an "easy" operation, and a good introduction to operational flying).

Took off at 17.56 from Moreton-in-Marsh and headed for France and, subsequently, released its cargo of leaflets in the vicinity of nantes. Damaged by enemy action and while trying to reach base, crashed near Stroud in Gloucestershire.

Sgt Morgan's elder brother, Rifleman Colin Frederick Morgan of the 2nd Batt, Rifle Brigade, was killed in action on 23 Nov 1941, and is commemorated on the Alamein Memorial. Back on 26th January, F/Sgt McCausland RCAF had dosplayed great presence of mind when the port engine of Wellington R1649 exploded at 4000 feet while descending towards base. Turning into finals (final approach) he was baulked by another aircraft, which was on the flare path. Calmly, he retracted the undercarriageand force-landed alongside the other aircraft, causing minimal damage to his Wellington.

The crew of W5705 (all killed):

F/Sgt J W McCausland RCAF
Sgt P E Farren
Sgt F C W Palmer
Sgt G W Ayres
Sgt F A Morgan

Details from Chorley's Bomber Command Losses Volume 7

K

[7903]

Hi Kyt,
Thank you for the info.
Regards 7903

[IainK]

Hi

With regard to the aforementioned Wellington accident in 1950: My Great Uncle was F/Lt Harry Selman. If anyone has further details of the accident which took his life, or of his fellow crew members I would be very grateful.

Milly, may I ask if your friend is related to one of the crew?

Thank you

Iain

[liverpool annie]

Hi Iain and welcome to RootsChat !! 

I Googled and found this - looks like somebody else is looking for your Harry !! maybe this was what Milly was talking about ...

"172996 F/Lt. Harry Selman"
Can anybody assist with the reason for the death of this airman.
He was a wartime regular (and former POW)who was Gazetted with the MBE which was then cancelled as his death occurred before the date of announcement (8/6/50). I suspect his death (the word ' killed' is used in the cancellation) occurred around January 1950 as he transferred from the Equipment Branch back to GD Branch on 31/1/50 and the LG notes he was'since deceased'. His promotion to F/Lt. was effective 15/12/49 hence my assumption

http://www.rootschat.com/links/04tx/

Annie 

[millymcb]

Hi  Iain...welcome to Rootschat...


Yes...my  friend is related to Albert Edward Bazen.  We don't know much about him though other than that he died in the crash.

I didn't post the message on the site Annie mentions but I had seen it....that is the only info I know about Harrry Selman I'm afraid.  DaveW mentioned there (one of the posters) was the kind person who sent me the "Last Take Off" information.

Do you have access to times Digital Archive...??.It is only a short item but....
you could take a look at the newspaper report of sat 8th April...3 days after the crash. 

(I don't think I am allowed to put a copy on here for you unfortunately...but let us know if you don't have access to the Times and we'll point you in the right direction)


Milly

[ricoba]

Hi,I have a Samuel Godfrey 1272401 as a volunteer air force dod 1943..Runnymede.Is there any more details on record.I do know about his parents.Thanks

[kyt]

Hi,I have a Samuel Godfrey 1272401 as a volunteer air force dod 1943..Runnymede.Is there any more details on record.I do know about his parents.Thanks

51 Squadron Halifax LW286

Mission to Berlin

Tookoff at 17.04 from Snaith. Cause of loss not established. Crashed in the IJsselmeer between Urk and Hindeloopen, where Sgt Springett is buried in the Protestant Cemetery. F/O Moynihan is buried in Lemsterland (Lemmer) Cemetery, while Sgt Dyer's grave is located at Amersfoot (Oud Leusden) General Cemetery. The others have not been identified and are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

P/O H F Farley
Sgt S H Godfrey
F/O F H Moynihan
F/O H O Hetterley
Sgt A B Springett
Sgt E H G Dyer
Sgt J E Whitehead 

K

[liverpool annie]

21 is too young !    RIP Samuel Godfrey


http://www.cwgc.org/search/certificate.aspx?casualty=1798472