Heres a picture of the 6 graves ....... hard to see the names ... I don't have a magnifying glass ... but maybe you can see them !
John Edward Kearney, the navigator of this 'plane, was my father. The following letter was written by Jimmy Archibald, the pilot and surviving crew member, to my mother on October 11th 1944:
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Dear Betty,
I am terribly sorry I haven’t written before but I have just received your three letters. I knew that I would soon be out of hospital and gave my cousin’s address for forwarding mail and consequently did not get them till I came here.
I suppose I must tell you what happened and I hate to do it as it will take away the scrap of hope you may have. You know what a happy bunch we were, Betty, there wasn’t one of those boys that I didn’t love like a brother. I would have done anything to save them but there wasn’t anything I could do.
We were shot down without warning by a German fighter. I didn’t hear anything from Wee Alec or Terry and by the time I realised we were attacked, the plane was out of control and the intercom. was out of action. I called out to them to abandon aircraft but got no reply. Johnny Cuthbert and I were struggling with the controls but something must have gone for the plane started to turn over and over. Then there was an explosion and I found myself falling. I found out afterwards that I had gone through the Perspex since my arms had little chips stuck in it.
The French people who found me found your Johnny, Johnny Cuthbert, Pete and Les. They must have died instantly when the explosion occurred.
There is nothing more I can say Betty, I can’t offer sympathy or cheer; I can only say my heart bleeds for you both and them. There was a time in hospital when I wished I had gone too. Every little thing reminds me of them and for you it must be so much worse.
If you want me to come and see you or if there is anything I can do to help, let me know. I’ll be glad to do it.
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I am very anxious to learn more about my father and his fellow crew members, and if anyone can help perhaps you could get in touch with me. Not sure how that works, however, being a newbie at this sort of thing.
