24 May 1943 Geoffrey Bryde RAAF, 30, 414195

[humbleton]

Pilot - P/O Geoffrey Nigel James Bryde RAAF (414195), aged 30, of Fairfield, New South Wales, Australia. Buried Brandesburton Churchyard, Yorkshire.

On the night of 23rd / 24th May 1943 this aircraft took off from Wigsley airfield at 23.23hrs for a night navigation exercise combined with a fighter affiliation exercise. While flying in the Hull area at 03.08hrs the aircraft broke up in the air and crashed over a wide area around the village of Humbleton. Sadly all eight in the aircraft were killed as a result of this accident.

Geoffrey Bryde was born on 17th September 1912 in Fitzroy, Melbourne, Victoria. He was working as a school teacher when he enlisted into the RAAF on 17th August 1941 in Brisbane and was living in the village of Woodenbong, New South Wales. He was married with a young daughter born in February 1942. After basic training he was awarded his Wings on 2nd April 1942 and later left Australia for the UK in July 1942. On arriving in England he trained at 3 (P)AFU beginning 1st September 1942, 26 OTU beginning 27th October 1942, 29 OTU beginning 16th December 1942 and 1654 CU beginning 26th April 1943. He received his commisson on 9th May 1943.

We are unveiling a plaque dedicated to the memory of these crewmen in our village church on 29 May 2016 and would like to trace any relatives of Geoffrey Bryde and would appreciate any help.