Connections with the crew??

[grandarog]

Hi Steve ,
               I am sure you are aware of Larry's excellent and more or less definitive Lancaster Site.Just in case you aren't heres the link.

                     http://www.lancaster-archive.com/lanc_main_page.htm

                                                                                  Regards Rog.

[WelwynGC1]

Good morning guys, just a refresh of this topic three years on, must try and locate some local newspapers for the various places.

In the hope that a relative may spot something familiar?

Recently joined the 100 squadron association so might get some joy there, things seem to have settled down a lot.

A very merry Xmas to all who have helped me, you are diamonds!!

Steve.

[WelwynGC1]

Good morning all, another blatant refresh l know but lets try a different angle......do you live in or near one of the places that the crew were from and if so can you tell me what the local newspaper is called??
The London ones l can deal with but the others present more problems, Kircaldy for instance in Fife, Scotland would be a start.

This is the next part of my research, l really want to find someone who is related to one of the guys who was part of my Uncles ill-fated crew. Would love to make my Uncles story into something about all of the crew.

Regards,

Steve    WelwynGC1

[IMBER]

This newspaper obviously is happy to carry such stories and there is a contact name:

http://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/local-headlines/family-of-ww1-soldier-sought-1-3004198

Note the correct spelling, Kirkcaldy.

Imber

[bugle boy]

Good morning all, another blatant refresh l know but lets try a different angle......do you live in or near one of the places that the crew were from and if so can you tell me what the local newspaper is called??
The London ones l can deal with but the others present more problems, Kircaldy for instance in Fife, Scotland would be a start.

This is the next part of my research, l really want to find someone who is related to one of the guys who was part of my Uncles ill-fated crew. Would love to make my Uncles story into something about all of the crew.

Regards,

Steve    WelwynGC1

Belfast Telegraph
 Belfast Northern Whig
Irish News
and if memory serves me  The Belfast Newsletter.

[WelwynGC1]

Thanks guys for those details, and especially for the spelling lesson (lol)

That will certainly be a start, will post any results,

Steve.

[walkerpete]

For Norwich try

Eastern Daily Press
Prospect House
Rouen Road
Norwich
NR1 1RE
Telephone: 01603 628311

[WelwynGC1]

Thanks for that info Pete, much appreciated.

I have already contacted "Fife Today" and got the ball rolling on info requests about my Uncles Pilot who was from Kirkcaldy.

Enjoy the weekend all!!

Steve.

[KevinBattle]

Steve, it may not get you any further, but here is the RAF Loss Card link giving some further details of the crew, equipment and take off time for JA696, which you may not have seen.
http://www.lancasterbombers.net/Loss_Cards/1943/Sept_43/Sept_43_Pt1/files/book.swf
John is shown as being the mid upper gunner.

100 squadron also lost JA630 that night. The bomb aimer in that crew DOES have a known grave, yet all other members of BOTH crews are on Runnymede.
HARRILL, EDWARD CHARLES. Rank: Pilot Officer. Trade: Air Bomber. Service No: 157285. Date of Death: 04/09/1943. Age: 28
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. 100 Sqdn.
Grave Reference: 1. K. 17. Cemetery: BERLIN 1939-1945 WAR CEMETERY
Additional Information: Son of Edgar George Collins Harrill and Edith Ella Harrill, of Cheddar, Somerset.
Their Loss Card seems to note that he was buried in Heerstrasse BMC. Plot 1, Row K. Grave 17.
John King was also identified, together with 4 unknowns, yet he is on Runnymede, so perhaps you might be able to pass this information on to 100 Squadron.
It could be that the JA930 crew might yet be identified if CWGC can advise if Harrill had any other related burials. It looks as if Heerstrasse was the original name for Reichswald, as the grave information is identical. If there are "Known Unto God" headstones around him, that suggests they are the rest of his crew.
KING, JOHN. Rank: Sergeant. Trade: W/Op. Service No: 1128416. Date of Death: 04/09/1943. Age: 30.
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. 100 Sqdn.
Panel Reference: Panel 155. Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL
Additional Information: Son of William and Winifred King; husband of Mary Catherine King, of Skipton, Yorkshire.

Sorry, doesn't really get you much further, but another (small) part of the jigsaw.