As a volunteer at my local churchyard I have been researching the CWG memorials with a view to keeping some records at the church for future generations. To date we have had some success but the following are proving impossible. 1) F/Sgt W G Thomas 655563 - 5 Sqdn RAFVR - MIA Far East 30/9/1942 Ref - Col 414 Singapore memorial. 2) CWG Memorial lists 3 brothers. Sgt R G Hicks 652673 - 254 Sqdn RAF - 28/2/1941 Sgt H J Hicks 1316957 - 218 Sqdn RAFVR - 22/9/1943 F/Sgt F J Hicks 534619 - 27 Sqdn RAF - 15/2/1942 - Java Index POW ? Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Sgt H J Hicks 1316957 - 218 Sqdn RAFVR - 22/9/1943. Flew Stirling III EF139, call code HA-B: operation Hannover. Struck by bombs , broke up over Lauenau, 7km SW of Barsingshausen. buried in Hannover cemetery.
Thanks Skipper a great help. Another piece of the puzzle solved!Hope we have luck with the other 3. Regards Peter 13
Sgt R G Hicks 652673 - 254 Sqdn RAF - 28/2/1941 Blenheim IV serial T1953 QY- 254 Squadron: received battle damage, crash-landed and burnt out at Sumburgh. Sgt R. Hicks killed.
F/Sgt F J Hicks 534619 - 27 Sqdn RAF - 15/2/1942 Blenheim MkI - serial L1258 27 Squadron. Shot down by fighters on raid from P.II (Parabumilih) on invasion forces. W/O. S. Stafford, W/O. R. Willmott and F/S. F. Hicks Killed in action.
Cheers Liberator, you beat me on those two Glad I could help Peter. did you check the www.cwgc.org files?
F/Sgt W G Thomas 655563 - 5 Sqdn RAFVR - MIA Far East 30/9/1942 Ref - Col 414 Singapore memorial. Thomas was killed when his Mohawk serial AX895 hit a tree and crashed during a low-level attack attack on Akyab satellite field, possibly due to pilot error. Seems the airfield was a dummy one, and the aircraft on the ground turned out to be dummy aircraft. Thanks to Amrit for his help.
Thanks Liberator. We get the basics from CWGC website then try to find exactly what happened to casualty - a slow process for an amateur! For your interest the first casualty we found the full story for was W.Ops on a "Liberator" - P/O W H Thompson RAFVR 206 Sqd - 177931 (BZ961- 14/9/1944) Thanks again. Peter.
Their is a very good series of book called RAF bomber losses for the second word war , in seven vol, which allows you to trace quite a lot of basic information on losses see the link for details most half desent libraries should hold in the UK at least more details in the link below: Amazon.co.uk: RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War: 1939-40 v. 1: W.R. Chorley: Books Hope this helps, Jerry
Peter 13, I am the Grandson on Sgt W MOREMENT who was the FLIGHT ENGINEER on the Stirling Bomber EF139, which was shot down near Hanover on the 23 Sept 1943. My Grandfather luckily managed to survive the crash along with Sgt Bill Baker of the RCAF. Sgt Hicks unfortunately was not alone in losing his life on this night, as did Bomb Aimer - Sgt Doug Wylie. Pilot - Sgt Norman Spencer. Navigator - Sgt George King and Pilot Officer Raymond Eberle. Please see attached a photo of Harold J Hicks taken by my Grandfather whilst at their Base in Downham Market. I have a lot of other information too about the crew and Sgt Hicks, as I have done quite a bit of research myself. I have visited the crash site with a German friend of ours who lives near the Crash site and who is also a Air Crash Investigator at Hanover airport. I have many photos of the Crash site and Cemetery which a picture is also attached of this. My family and I have also made very good friends with the family of Sgt KING. In particular Stephen LV King, who is the Nephew of SGT KING and has edited a book called 'YOUR LOVING SON' which can be found for sale with AMAZON. The book is all the letters sent home to Canada from Sgt George King before September 1943. There are some letters from Harold Hicks Mother too. Please get in touch with me on my personal email kevlatham32 @ yahoo.co.uk if you need any other information. Also if you have any details of Sgt Hicks family I would love to get in contact with them. I believe that Harold had a son called Raymond Hicks. Hope to hear from you. Mr Kevin LATHAM
I would be grateful for some help in tracing details of some RAF casualties buried in our local cemetery (Sunderland Ryhope Road Cemetery): John Wilson Crozier, Aircraftsman First Class, RAFVR, Died 12th October 1945 Charles Dodd, Aircraftsman Second Class, RAFVR, Died 22nd May 1944 John William Hindmarsh, Pilot Officer (Pilot), RAFVR, Died 13th July 1943 William Frederick Johnson, Aircraftsman First Class, RAFVR, Died 27th October 1940 Charles Lawrence, Sergeant (Bomb Aimer) RAFVR, Died 16th October 1942 Roger Pickering Weston (W/Op AG) Died 28th September 1943 It would be really helpful if I could determine which squadrons they were attached to and if killed on active duty details of recent operations. I'd also be interested in learning more about Walter Edward Battle Silva White, Flying Officer 682 Photo Recon Squadron Died 23rd April 1944, Italy Michael Myers Wayman, DFC, Flt Lt, 139 Squadron died 20th March 1943 Any help very much appreciated Rob
