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Dear Kea / Erik

Kea so good to hear from you and Happy New Year.

Having read your e-mail I wondered what relation Robert Kearnes was to your Grandfather and if you have any information regarding any siblings that Robert may have had; if any.

It is a shame there are no family photographs of Robert but at Melbourne in Yorkshire, the station from which 10 squadron flew during the war, they have a small museum in the old air traffic control building. The walls are covered in 10 Sqn photographs and memorabilia so there is a slight possibility a photograph may be there somewhere on the wall.

I do think your research into Robert’s war time service is commendable.  The stress and anxiety these young men must have gone thorough is unimaginable. The average age of a crew was around 20 to 22 years of age.  It is so good to know that Robert is not forgotten. The loss of his crew in such terrible circumstances was horrifying.

Last year I researched the families of another 10 Sqn aircraft that was shot down, whilst on the infamous raid to Nuremberg, on the 31.03.1944. In September we held a commemoration at the crash site just north of Frankfurt. It was an unforgettable experience and it meant so much to the families.

I have attached a time line for Robert’s crew from the time they arrived on 10 Sqn on the 17.07.1943 until they were shot down on 5. 09.1944. You will see that Robert died on his 5th operation. Many inexperienced crews were lost on their early operations. As they gained more experience they increased their chances of survival, a few of them completing up to 40 or 50 operations. I hope you will find the timeline interesting

If you are interested 10 Squadron Association has a web site   http://www.10sqnass.co.uk. Some of the areas are for members only of the association only but it does give you some idea of the history of the squadron and the part they play in the RAF today.

Did you know that you can also obtain Robert’s Record of Service.  Details can be obtained at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records

Look forward to hearing from you again. I do hope the attachments will open OK. Let me know if there are any  problems. If you feel there is anything that would help in the research I would be happy to receive it.

Kind regards

Ann

Hello Kae
10 Sqn Association has been asked by Erik Wieman to help with research into the relatives of the crew of Halifax JD322 which was lost on a bombing raid to Mannheim on 06.09.43. The aircraft was a Halifax Mk 11 of  no 10 Squadron operating out of RAF Melbourne in Yorkshire.
From the squadron ops dairies which were kept by all squadrons during the war, I have been able to find information regarding the months leading up to the loss of the aircraft. The crew arrived on the squadron on the 17.07.43. They flew on 5 operations before losing their lives on 06.9.43. If you are interested in this I can send you a copy of the spreadsheet.
Last September we commemorated the crew of another 10 Sqn Halifax, which was shot down in March 1944. It was an emotional and rewarding experience to have the families of the crew with us in the act of remembrance.
If you are able to locate any photographs of Eric or his crew it will be a great help to piece together their story.
I flew on 10 sqn as a Loadmaster in the 1970's and we are very proud of those crews who went before us and gave their lives at such a young age.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Ann Bihan