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General => Armed Forces => World War Two => Topic started by: wallywhiskers on Tuesday 18 January 11 13:48 GMT (UK)
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Dad joined up January 1941 when he turned 18yr.
After basic training
my Dad, Stanley John Owen was assigned with 78 Squadron first served at Lossiemouth Scotland then posted to Breighton East Yorkshire until the end of the war.
Dad was a Fitter Armourer on the Halifax Bomber he is very proud of those days,when he served with the RAF. He joined up in 1941 as soon as he turned 18. My Dad is 88yr now, loves to reminisce about the War and still has many stories to tell.
Does anyone out there know much about Breighton or have relatives who may of served ineither place during the war.
I would be gratefull for any information & help.
Thank you
Wallywhiskers
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There is an Air Museum about five miles outside the City of York operated by a charitable trust.
I have been to it several times, it was a bomber base, it has excellent exhibits and information. If you are anywhere near York I would reccommend a visit. I am sure they will have a web site, so Google York air Museum.
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Google Breighton Airfield and there is a lot there for you to download and show photos to your dad.
If its not too far away, you could take a day trip.
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Hi,
My dad's brother was based at Breighton, part of the crew of Halifax LV820. The plane was shot down over France in June 1944 and my uncle is buried with 5 colleagues in Poix-de-la-Somme Churchyard.
He was Sgt. SGR Barham RAF Volunteer Reserve, 78 Squadron; I wonder if their paths ever crossed.
Nanny Jan
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Hi wallywhiskers,
My grandad was in 78th sqn and based at Breighton. I wonder if your dad knew him? His name was John Harper. He was killed during a raid over Remscheid on 31 July 1943. His plane was a Halifax JD329. I'd love to hear if you or your dad have any information about the days at Breighton.
Gini
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Hi Wallywiskers,
the York Air Museum is at Elvington on the Beverly /Hull side of York. If you get the chance it is well worth the visit.
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Hi,
Wallywhiskers has not posted anything since January 2011; he might have changed his email address and be unable to receive these new postings.
Nanny Jan
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Message for Gini
Re Sgt Harper WOP on JD329 EY-G
If you require further news on this loss please advise when convenient. We have info on permanant display at work
Rgds
Halifaxman
78 Sqn
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Msg for Nanni Jan
Re Sgt Barham RG on LV820 EY-F
For info I have news on this loss, info of which is on permenant display at work
Further I have contact details for relatives of F/O Hayman (N) and photo;s of F/O Albon (BA) if interested?
Halifaxman
78 Sqn
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Hi Halifaxman,
I'm interested in anything to do with Sgt Barham..........an uncle I never had the chance to meet. :(
Perhaps send info by PM to keep this thread clear.
Nanny Jan
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Message for Halifaxman
Sorry, I can't work out how to send you a PM but am very interested in the info you have Re Sgt Harper WOP on JD329 EY-G. Could you email me at (*).
Thanks,
Gini
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Hi Gini,
To send a PM I think you need to have made 3 postings and then just click on the small square next to the scroll that is on Halifaxman's avatar.
You should also remove your email address from your message to prevent spam etc.
Nanny Jan
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Hi Halifaxman, I've sent you a PM about your message, and thanks Nanny Jan for explaining how to do it!
Gini
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Gini
PM sent in your direction too giving background info
Further detailed info to follow A/R
Halifaxman
78 Sqn
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I've posted elsewhere (can't find it now) looking for info on Flight Lieutenant Alan Short. All we know is that he was killed in a Halifax on 31/8/43. Where can we look for more info?
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Look on the CWGC web site.
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Thanks - will do.
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"Alan" Short is Albert Robert Short and his death was registered in Cambridgeshire or Norfolk (Wisbech Registration District) Sep. Qtr. 1943. His Commonwealth War Graves description follows (minus his wife who may still be alive).
Flight Lieutenant, ALBERT ROBERT SHORT (Pilot)
Service No:131009
Date of Death:31/08/1943
Age:30
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
78 Sqdn.
Grave ReferenceSec. W. Grave 42.
GREAT YARMOUTH (GORLESTON) CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of Charles R. Short and Elizebeth (sic) E. Short, of Great Yarmouth, husband of .......of Great Yarmouth.
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Thanks for the info. We were under the impression that he was born in Australia, but we will check it out.
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All, my great uncle was part of the 78th reserve squadron in Breighton. He was a bomb aimer and his plane crashed over Souilly in France in August 1943. He and his crew fellows are burried at Souilly churchyard cemetery. His name is Jack Percival Wenmoth.
would any of you or your parents have heard of him ?
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Clotfy
78 Sqn was not a "Reserve Sqn" Further details as to the specific loss detailed below
27th / 28th August 1943: Halifax Mk BII, JD406 EY-P "Rothman P~Peter”
Built by English Electric Co (Salmesbury & Preston) this particular aircraft was delivered to 78 Sqn between 29th July and 5th August 1943
The crew were briefed to attack Nuremburg. The ATD of the aircraft from RAF Breighton, Yorkshire was 2054
JD406 EY-P was one of two 78 Sqn aircraft lost on this operation. The other was; JD414 EY-M
The cause of JD406 EY-P’s loss was not established. The aircraft crashed at Souilly, 16km SW of Verdun (Meuse) France
Pilot F/O R.H. Orr RCAF +
Flight Engineer Sgt E.J. Williams +
Navigator F/O W.V. Gregson +
Bomb Aimer Sgt P.J. Wenmoth +
Wireless Operator Sgt I. Illingworth +
Mid Upper Gunner Sgt W.A. Dunleavy RCAF
Rear Gunner Sgt H. McN. Gill +
Those killed are buried in Souilly Churchyard, France
Sgt Dunleavy was interned in Stalag 9C (Bad Orb)
ORR, Flying Officer (P) RICHARD HERBERT, J/20704, 78 (R.A.F.) Sqn Royal Canadian Air Force. 28 August 1943. Age 27. Son of Arthur Joseph and Bertha Jane Orr, of Underwood, Ontario, Canada. Grave Ref. Grave 3.
WILLIAMS, Sergeant (FE) ENOCH JONES, 1130519, 78 Sqn Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. 28 August 1943. Age 22. Son of Thomas and Rebecca Williams, of Blaenrhondda, Glamorgan. Grave Ref. Grave 6.
GREGSON, Flying Officer (NAV) WILLIAM VICTOR, 131902, 78 Sqn Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. 28 August 1943. Age 25. Son of William and Dorothy Gregson; husband of Sally Gregson, of Liverpool. Grave Ref. Grave 5.
WENMOTH, Sergeant (BA) PERCIVAL JACK, 997249, 78 Sqn Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. 28 August 1943. Age 24. Son of Mr. and Mrs. C. P. Wenmoth, of Whalley Range, Manchester. Grave Ref. Grave 2.
ILLINGWORTH, Sergeant (WOP/AG) IRVINE, 1079192, 78 Sqn Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. 28 August 1943. Grave Ref. Grave 1.
GILL, Sergeant (RG) HECTOR MCNEILL, 613186, 78 Sqn Royal Air Force. 28 August 1943. Age 24. Son of John McNeill Gill and Catherine McNeill Gill, of Campbelltown, Argyllshire; husband of Verbena Ruth Gill. Grave Ref. Grave 4.
Hope this is of use?
Kind Regards
Halifaxman
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Hi halifaxman, and also clofty if he can read this post after.
I am looking for any information or picture about that jd 406 halifax of 78sqn or his crew. I come from the nearest town of the crash (3km from souilly churchyard) and my dad and me are trying for several years to find anything about that aircraft. We tried to contact the family of sgt dunleavy, to know more about what happened and we have the idea to maybe build something to remember those who give their lives. Crash place is located in the hood behind my house, i found some part of the aircraft when i was kid.
Your help or clofty's information would be helpfull. Don't hesitate to contact me.
Regards
Celestin
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Celestin,
you live in Souilly? I would be more than interested in meeting you and getting more details from you
Sherif Lotfy
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Attached is a photo of the plane and the crew members
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Hi Sherif Lotfy,
I grew up in Osches, located 3 km west of Souilly. Exact location of crash is on the forest between both towns. It appears that the location is pretty big, as this kind of aircraft was also big...
Crew is burried at Souilly Churchyard, just close to the church. I can provide you a picture of the grave of your great uncle. I think I can provide you also some other details as soon as I will find my files and ask family.
So, the picture you've send is the picture of JD-406's crew? Where is your great uncle? And the others? Do you have an idea of when and where this pic was done?
Maybe you can provide me your email address, it can be more convenient for sending pictures.
Here is mine : (*)
Regards
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Please use the Personal Message (PM) system for exchanging personal data.
New members must make at least three postings before being allowed to use the PM facility.
See Help-Page: http://www.rootschat.com/help/pms.php
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I have a query regarding the loss of DT 768 in 1943
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PM inbound!
Halifaxman
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Following my enquiry here I have started this thread which may be of interest; http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=701649.0
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To Halifaxman and Gini,
I hope this thread is still open.
My uncle was F/O G I Whitehouse on JD329 and was one of only 2 crew who survived. I would be interested in any information anyone has. I have some photos here and one of an unknown crew member.
Gini, in our family archive we still have original correspondence between his wife and the families of the other crew members as they were waiting for news.
His wife was originally told he was dead until contacted by someone living on the south coast who heard his name listed as pow on French radio.
Love to hear from you or other members.
Steven
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This thread has been interesting reading as I have been researching my uncle, Sergeant Irvine Illingworth was killed on the bombing raid 27/28th August. I shall be visiting the churchyard at Souilly later this year.
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Clotfy
78 Sqn was not a "Reserve Sqn" Further details as to the specific loss detailed below
27th / 28th August 1943: Halifax Mk BII, JD406 EY-P "Rothman P~Peter”
Built by English Electric Co (Salmesbury & Preston) this particular aircraft was delivered to 78 Sqn between 29th July and 5th August 1943
The crew were briefed to attack Nuremburg. The ATD of the aircraft from RAF Breighton, Yorkshire was 2054
JD406 EY-P was one of two 78 Sqn aircraft lost on this operation. The other was; JD414 EY-M
The cause of JD406 EY-P’s loss was not established. The aircraft crashed at Souilly, 16km SW of Verdun (Meuse) France
Pilot F/O R.H. Orr RCAF +
Flight Engineer Sgt E.J. Williams +
Navigator F/O W.V. Gregson +
Bomb Aimer Sgt P.J. Wenmoth +
Wireless Operator Sgt I. Illingworth +
Mid Upper Gunner Sgt W.A. Dunleavy RCAF
Rear Gunner Sgt H. McN. Gill +
Those killed are buried in Souilly Churchyard, France
Sgt Dunleavy was interned in Stalag 9C (Bad Orb)
ORR, Flying Officer (P) RICHARD HERBERT, J/20704, 78 (R.A.F.) Sqn Royal Canadian Air Force. 28 August 1943. Age 27. Son of Arthur Joseph and Bertha Jane Orr, of Underwood, Ontario, Canada. Grave Ref. Grave 3.
WILLIAMS, Sergeant (FE) ENOCH JONES, 1130519, 78 Sqn Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. 28 August 1943. Age 22. Son of Thomas and Rebecca Williams, of Blaenrhondda, Glamorgan. Grave Ref. Grave 6.
GREGSON, Flying Officer (NAV) WILLIAM VICTOR, 131902, 78 Sqn Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. 28 August 1943. Age 25. Son of William and Dorothy Gregson; husband of Sally Gregson, of Liverpool. Grave Ref. Grave 5.
WENMOTH, Sergeant (BA) PERCIVAL JACK, 997249, 78 Sqn Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. 28 August 1943. Age 24. Son of Mr. and Mrs. C. P. Wenmoth, of Whalley Range, Manchester. Grave Ref. Grave 2.
ILLINGWORTH, Sergeant (WOP/AG) IRVINE, 1079192, 78 Sqn Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. 28 August 1943. Grave Ref. Grave 1.
GILL, Sergeant (RG) HECTOR MCNEILL, 613186, 78 Sqn Royal Air Force. 28 August 1943. Age 24. Son of John McNeill Gill and Catherine McNeill Gill, of Campbelltown, Argyllshire; husband of Verbena Ruth Gill. Grave Ref. Grave 4.
Hope this is of use?
Kind Regards
Halifaxman
Excuse me Sir.
I do have a curiousity to this claim of the Halifax EY-P you have described. Doing some research in some family history and it came up with a No.78 Sqd Halifax II EY-P being W7926 Where the family member was the Bombardier by the name of Sgt. William "Billy" Hall Allely (Serial: 1339764). His Halifax was listed in records found as EY-P shot down by and Bf110G and he was taken as POW.
Do you have any information to clarify? Trying to find as much info as possible about this particular Halifax, if there is any distinguishing markings or nose art that it may have had.
Thank you for your time!
RCAF Halifax.