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General => World War Two => Armed Forces => WWII In Memoriam => Topic started by: alanmack on Monday 12 January 15 23:46 GMT (UK)

Title: 31 October 1942 Plt.Off. 'Harry' Collings RAFVR, aged 22, 107 Squadron
Post by: alanmack on Monday 12 January 15 23:46 GMT (UK)

Pilot Officer Henry Philemon 'Harry' Collings was born 1920 Tongwynlais, Glamorgan, the only son of Robert and Clara Collings. He volunteered for the RAF and trained as pilot in the United States.

His 107 Squadron Boston III flew out from Great Massingham on 31 October 1942 to attack a power station on the Franco-Belgian border. Attacked and shot down by a Fw 190, none of the four crew survived. They are buried at the Adegem Canadian War Cemetery, Belgium. 'Harry' is commemorated on the Whitchurch War Memorial.

[I am not a relative. 'Harry' and his sister were the kids-next-door as my late mother grew up. The photograph is one from my grandmother's collection.]

Title: Re: 31 October 1942 Plt.Off. 'Harry' Collings RAFVR, aged 22, 107 Squadron
Post by: adkharley on Sunday 24 January 16 12:03 GMT (UK)

To Alan Mackenzie.
With reference to your post 12th Jan 2015 regarding P/O Henry P Collings, I am also looking for information regarding his family and wondered if you had managed to locate anyone?

( I'm not related but do have a direct link to Henry from the past)

Title: Re: 31 October 1942 Plt.Off. 'Harry' Collings RAFVR, aged 22, 107 Squadron
Post by: alanmack on Sunday 24 January 16 12:17 GMT (UK)

Hi,
    Good to hear from you. Make one more post please (reply to this one perhaps) then we can use the PM system.

alanmack

Title: Re: 31 October 1942 Plt.Off. 'Harry' Collings RAFVR, aged 22, 107 Squadron
Post by: adkharley on Sunday 24 January 16 12:41 GMT (UK)

I was researching HPC (respecting sensitivities) through 'Aircrew Remembered' and found a reference to you hence the contact. ' AC Remembered ' are trying to locate members of his family on my behalf so I don't wish to cause double work but would be pleased to make a more direct contact. 

Title: Re: 31 October 1942 Plt.Off. 'Harry' Collings RAFVR, aged 22, 107 Squadron
Post by: alanmack on Sunday 24 January 16 12:48 GMT (UK)

Hi again,
            Last time i should have welcomed you to RootsChat. Very pleased to make direct contact with you.

I am about to send you a PM.

alanmack

Title: Re: 31 October 1942 Plt.Off. 'Harry' Collings RAFVR, aged 22, 107 Squadron
Post by: martinbuxton on Tuesday 27 September 16 18:52 BST (UK)

Harry Collings was my uncle, although I never met him. He died in 1942 and I was born in 1953. The Collings family lived at 11 Mill Road Tongwynlais or (I was always told) prior to that the small flat or loft adjoining. Harry had two sisters Violet and Lillian Grace (my mother). I remember my grandmother Clara always kept a framed picture of Uncle Harry in uniform on display on the upright piano. I believe his loss was felt very deeply and he was never forgotten.

Title: Re: 31 October 1942 Plt.Off. 'Harry' Collings RAFVR, aged 22, 107 Squadron
Post by: alanmack on Tuesday 27 September 16 19:02 BST (UK)

Hi Martin,
             Welcome to RootsChat. As I wouldn't want to reveal details on the open web, make one more post and then I can contact you via a Personal message (PM). I have photographs too you might be interested in.

Thank you for getting in touch.

Alan Mackenzie