Aeroplane (fighter) crash, Hildenborough, Kent

[Racing Teapots]

As a 10 year old schoolboy, I watched a WW2 fighter aeroplane being excavated from the village of Hildenborough (around 1972/3).

Hildenborough is a small village between Sevenoaks and Tonbridge.

I thought that the aeroplane was a Spitfire, and the 'rumour' was that the pilot was Polish.

But no Kent aero historians I have spoken to, can identify which plane this might have been; "it certainly does not appear to have been a Spitfire."

So I now wonder if it was a Hurricane (or other fighter)......


Is there any book/database which lists where and when WW2 aeroplanes crashed, and the name(s) of the crew.....??

[BeppoSapone]

Originally posted by Racing Teapots@Feb 22 2004, 04:58 AM
As a 10 year old schoolboy, I watched a WW2 fighter aeroplane being excavated from the village of Hildenborough (around 1972/3).

Hildenborough is a small village between Sevenoaks and Tonbridge.

I thought that the aeroplane was a Spitfire, and the 'rumour' was that the pilot was Polish.

But no Kent aero historians I have spoken to, can identify which plane this might have been; "it certainly does not appear to have been a Spitfire."

So I now wonder if it was a Hurricane (or other fighter)......


Is there any book/database which lists where and when WW2 aeroplanes crashed, and the name(s) of the crew.....??

"After the Battle" did a book/some books on the Battle of Britain "Day by Day".

There is a pilot buried in the churchyard at Ifield in Sussex, he is called John Romney Mather. See:

http://www.cwgc.org/cwgcinternet/casualty_...asualty=2723532

IIRC I read in the above book that he blacked out due to a failure in his air supply, and crashed at Hildenborough.

Of course, this could be another incident, how does John Mathers date of death compare with your crash?

Hope this helps, I know very little about the RAF really. This case stuck in my mind as the pilot is buried in my home area. Member Paul Reed may know more, as he is also from the same town.

[salientpoints]

Found another one -

Sgt D.G.Gibbins joined No 54 Squadron on the 10th of August 1940. Gibbins shot down an Me 109 on the 31st of August but was then his Spitfire(X4054) was shot down over Hildenborough and he baled out safely. It is believed he was shot down by a Hurricane. He scored one more kill before the end of the Battle.

Ryan

[Paul Reed]

Originally posted by BeppoSapone@Feb 22 2004, 10:17 AM
There is a pilot buried in the churchyard at Ifield in Sussex, he is called John Romney Mather. ...
Hope this helps, I know very little about the RAF really. This case stuck in my mind as the pilot is buried in my home area. Member Paul Reed may know more, as he is also from the same town.

I think this airman just has a memorial in Ifield Churchyard, having been cremated. I do have a photo of his plaque somewhere. I don't know any more than is in the ATB book, but I am currently beginning some long-term research on the Battle of Britain, so if I turn up more I will let you know.

[strongbow]

One of the best people to speak to regarding Kentish history is Bob Ogley. If you are from the Kent area, you can go into any Kent Messenger newspaper shop and speak to them. Most of his books are published by the Kent Messenger sothey will have his details. He frequently speaks on BBC Radio Kent. Might be worth speaking to. Talking to my parents, it seems that one of my Aunts old boyfriends used to excavate WW2 planes in the Tonbridge area. Small world! If you PM me, I could give you his name.

[Racing Teapots]

Thanks for your help guys. I wish I could give you more details, but I only know the rough date of where and when it was uncovered.

Stongbow, I'll send you a PM as I'm sure your chap will know more. I remember the engine was displayed for a while in a nearby school; not my school, because I remember the feeling of jealousy

[Terry Denham]

RTpots

There is a complete list of all WW2 crashes in the UK being published over the years in Air Britain's 'Aeromilitaria'. I have them all if you can give me approx dates.

Paul is right about Mather. There is only a memorial plaque in Ifield Churchyard as he was cremated and his ashes scattered.

He died of wounds 27.10.40 after his Spitfire (R6925) was shot down and crashed at Half Moon Lane, Hildenborough on 18.09.40.

[Racing Teapots]

Terry

Many thanks (as usual!!) for the info on Mather - and the heads-up on Aeromilitaria.

Now you've given the address, I can say that this IS the plane I saw being dug up. It was just to the rear of the Half Moon Public House.

Obviously the pilot was not Polish. Sorry if my memory has caused any confusion.

Somewhere or other, I have a small bit of this aeroplane. I recently went to a school reunion (we all hit 40 years old last year) in Hildenborough, and when someone mentioned the Spitfire, we realised that we ALL had been given a small piece of it by the generous guys who were digging up the 'plane.

I just remember being shocked at how deep this plane was, which is probably why so much had remained in the ground for so long.

Many thanks indeed to all.

Pete