502 squadron RAF

[jibhauler14]

COULD ANYONE ASSIST WITH INFO REGARDING 502 SQUADRON ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE HISTORY DURING WW2 UNCLE WAS SHOT DOWN IN AUGUST 1944

[rafcommands]

You do not give the day in August or your relatives name but I'll try a guess at

30/08/44
Halifax II
JP164

F/L G B Eccles AFC
Sgt K Kay
F/Sgt R F Wardle
F/L H Lawson
F/L R B Motz RCAF
W/O D A Denton
F/O V A Robertson
F/O E T Leslie RAAF

Failed to return from patrol.

Regards
Ross

[jibhauler14]

Thank you, his name was Ronald Forster

[jibhauler14]

Sorry about that the computer blipped and sent the reply before it was completed, you are 100% accurate his name was Ronald Forster Wardle, his brother John who now lives on Vancouver Island is my wife's father so we are trying to fill is some details.
Thank you again

[DeeBoneham]

You might like to try the following whom 502 came under as there is not currently a Sqn Assn:

Coastal Command Halifax Squadrons J A Bell, 16 Watersmeet, Northampton, NN1 5SG

You may want to look at this too:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/No-502-Squadron-RAF/113063732037530

Dee

[GrahamSimons]

The Operations Record Books for 502 Sqn 1925-1945 are on microfilm at the National Archives. If you are following an individual officer you can read up on each sortie, usually with a brief report of events.

Piece numbers AIR27/1955-1960

[AK2013]

Hi
My great-uncle was Kenneth Kay, who was a member of the crew in your uncle's plane.
I found a record of the crash on http://francecrashes39-45.net/page_fiche_av.php?id=3756&PHPSESSID=498f257f5a65519cef016d810349a0a4 which names all the crew.

There is another record at  http://www.absa3945.com/Pertes%20Bretagne/Loire%20Atlantique/pertes_raf_loire_atlantique.html (You need to scroll to the very bottom of the page)

Do you have any photos? I only have one of Kenneth, in his uniform. Have been to Runnymede to see his name on the memorial.

[Lanc44]

FRANCE :Google Translation (French-English) it is not perfect.
The Halifax Mk II JP164 YG-B bomber was shot down by FLAK (German anti-aircraft guns) on the night of August 30, 1944. The plane fell into the sea in our area about 5 miles southwest of St Nazaire.
Of the 9 airmen of the crew:
- F/Lt Harold LAWSON (2nd Pilot) is buried in Pornic Cemetery.
- F/O Ernest Thornburn LESLIE (Navigator), Ronald Bartle MOTZ (Wireless Operator / Air Gunner), W/O Dennis Austin DENTON (Wireless Operator / Air Gunner) are buried in the cemetery of La Baule-Escoublac near St Nazaire in France.
- The bodies of F/Lt Godfrey Brian ECCLES (Pilot), F/Sgt Ronald Forster WARDLE (Wireless Operator / Air Gunner) and Sgt Kenneth KAY (Flight Engineer) have never been found.
   W/O John Bernard HILL, the only survivor, was taken prisoner by German soldiers and then exchanged for German prisoners on 29 November 1944 at La Bernerie-en-Retz in France.
F/Sgt Ronald Forster WARDLE may have arrived at 502 Squadron in November 1943 and Sgt Kenneth KAY on 8 February 1944.
      Rene BRIDEAU

[Lanc44]

FRANCE :Google Translation (French-English) it is not perfect.
We have a website:
Chemin de la Mémoire 39-45 en Pays de Retz
http://chemin-memoire39-45paysderetz.e-monsite.com/
      Rene BRIDEAU