RAF Bases in Northern Ireland WW2

[spidge]

Originally Posted by Peter Clare

That should do Geoff.

Peter

Hi Peter,

I have sorted them by date to get the multiples together.........cheers

Surname	Posting on Death	Date Of Death	Cemetery/Memorial Name
LINDEMAN, ROSS WELLESLEY	153sq	25/01/1942	BALLYHALBERT (ST. ANDREW) CHURCH OF IRELAND CHURCHYARD
CAMPBELL, ARCHIBALD DETHRIDGE	206sq	1/02/1942	KILLEAD (ST. CATHERINE) CHURCH OF IRELAND CHURCHYARD
FRASER, HUGH GAVIN	206sq	1/02/1942	KILLEAD (ST. CATHERINE) CHURCH OF IRELAND CHURCHYARD
YOUNG, FALKNER COTTON	220sq	1/02/1942	KILLEAD (ST. CATHERINE) CHURCH OF IRELAND CHURCHYARD
BARRETT, FRANCIS CHARLES (DFC)	108sq RAF	16/03/1942	BELFAST CITY CEMETERY
SLOMAN, HERBERT WILLIAM THORNLEY	108sq	16/03/1942	BELFAST CITY CEMETERY
WILLIAMS, LINDSAY ROSS	108sq	16/03/1942	BELFAST CITY CEMETERY
WILLS, STANLEY DONALD	153sq	26/05/1942	BALLYHALBERT (ST. ANDREW) CHURCH OF IRELAND CHURCHYARD
PITHER, VERNON JAMES	7 O T U	21/07/1942	DRUMACHOSE (CHRIST CHURCH) CHURCH OF IRELAND CHURCHYARD
CAPEL, DAVID FARQUHAR	220sq	10/08/1942	KILLEAD (ST. CATHERINE) CHURCH OF IRELAND CHURCHYARD
LOWTHER, GEORGE WILSON	131 O T U	30/12/1942	IRVINESTOWN CHURCH OF IRELAND CHURCHYARD
BERGER, COLIN BRUCE	7 O T U	31/01/1943	DRUMACHOSE (CHRIST CHURCH) CHURCH OF IRELAND CHURCHYARD
STEVENS, THOMAS CHARLES	5 OTU	29/03/1943	BELFAST CITY CEMETERY
GIBSON, DONALD MURRAY	5 OTU	15/05/1943	BELFAST CITY CEMETERY
KIRBY, WILLIAM WILSON	5 OTU	15/05/1943	BELFAST CITY CEMETERY
HARRIS, CHARLES LOXLEY	5 OTU	15/05/1943	BELFAST CITY CEMETERY
POTTER, ALAN GILBERT	5 O T U	23/07/1943	EGLANTINE CHURCH OF IRELAND CEMETERY
CLARKE, ERIC GEORGE	3 S of GR	18/10/1943	DRUMACHOSE (CHRIST CHURCH) CHURCH OF IRELAND CHURCHYARD
WALSH, JOHN JOSEPH	7 O T U	5/11/1943	LIMAVADY (ST. MARY) ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH CEMETERY
GALLAGHER, ANTHONY JOSEPH	1663 Conv Unit	7/11/1943	IRVINESTOWN (SACRED HEART) ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHYARD
JOHNSTON, ALLAN STEWART	1663 Conv Unit	7/11/1943	IRVINESTOWN CHURCH OF IRELAND CHURCHYARD
SANSOME, GEORGE HILTON	1663 Conv Unit	7/11/1943	IRVINESTOWN CHURCH OF IRELAND CHURCHYARD
WOODS, LESLIE	7 O T U	28/11/1943	DRUMACHOSE (CHRIST CHURCH) CHURCH OF IRELAND CHURCHYARD
MULLINS, WILLIAM MURRAY	5 O T U	29/11/1943	EGLANTINE CHURCH OF IRELAND CEMETERY
McCALLUM, NORMAN FRANCIS DOUGALD	5 O T U	29/11/1943	EGLANTINE CHURCH OF IRELAND CEMETERY
KEANE, JOHN RUSSELL	5 O T U	29/11/1943	EGLANTINE CHURCH OF IRELAND CEMETERY
CONNELL, FRANCIS ALOYSIUS	5 O T U	29/11/1943	EGLANTINE CHURCH OF IRELAND CEMETERY
MOSS, FRANK	423sq	5/12/1943	IRVINESTOWN CHURCH OF IRELAND CHURCHYARD
SHERRY, ALFRED FRANK	131 O T U	9/01/1944	IRVINESTOWN CHURCH OF IRELAND CHURCHYARD
SPROGE, RICHARD HENRY	2 AFU	27/03/1944	KILLEAD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHYARD
COOPER, NORMAN ATHOL	59sq RAF	19/06/1944	TAMLAGHT FINLAGAN CHURCH OF IRELAND CHURCHYARD
APITZ, KENNETH JOHN NIELSEN	59sq RAF	19/06/1944	TAMLAGHT FINLAGAN CHURCH OF IRELAND CHURCHYARD
FRASER, ALEXANDER WILLIAM (DFC & BAR)	1674 HCU	4/07/1944	LISBURN CEMETERY
TAUBMAN, KENNETH JOHN	290sq	8/08/1944	EGLANTINE CHURCH OF IRELAND CEMETERY
WEEKS, GEORGE VICTOR	172sq	14/11/1944	DRUMACHOSE (CHRIST CHURCH) CHURCH OF IRELAND CHURCHYARD
SHARP, WILLIAM JOHN	202sq	20/11/1944	IRVINESTOWN CHURCH OF IRELAND CHURCHYARD
GILLIAN, ROBERT HUGH	1 OAFU	6/03/1945	LIMAVADY (ST. MARY) ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH CEMETERY
GARRARD, JOHN PERCIVAL	201sq	14/03/1945	IRVINESTOWN (SACRED HEART) ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHYARD
PRYDE, ALAN JAMES	1674 HCU	19/03/1945	EGLANTINE CHURCH OF IRELAND CEMETERY

[Peter Clare]

A little more on the loss of Liberator AL577.

On march 16 1942 Liberator AL577/N of 108 Squadron crashed at Slieve na Gloc, in the Rock Marshall Mountains near Jenkinstown, Co. Louth, killing fourteen of the nineteen on board. Another four died later of their injuries.
The aircraft had a crew of six, and was captained by Wing Commander Wells DFC and was carrying thirteen other squadron crewmen, whose job it would be to ferry back Liberators from the UK, to the squadron in Egypt. The aircraft had left an advanced Landing Ground at Fayid at 16.55 hrs the previous day, en route for a base in the south of England, when it ran into problems as its radio became unserviceable. It veered off course, and low on fuel, the crew saw the lights of a city and believed it to be Dublin. They cruised around for some time, and decided to attempt a landing at Greencastle Airfield, Co. Down. However, it ran into thick mist and visibility was nil, resulting in the Liberator crashing into Slieve-na-Gloc from a northerly direction, breaking into pieces, with the cabin burning on impact.

When a military party reached the site of the crash at 13.30 hrs they found the scene strewn with bodies, baggage and debris. The aircraft had broken up with the tail, body and fore-part spread over a fifty yard distance. the wings, tail and centre-part were not burned but were badly wrecked. Three of the survivors were still conscious and sheltering under the aircraft. They were F/O. Anderson, suffering badly from burns to his legs and hands; F/S. Amos, with a broken leg and facial injuries; and Sgt. Patterson with back injuries, and P/O. Stephens was conscious but sadly dying. These survivors were removed to the Louth Hospital, Dundalk, but one died on the way and P/O. Stephens died the following day.

The following is taken from the 108 Squadron ORB dated 17 March 1942.....

It is with deep regret that this Squadron records that the Liberator captained by Wing Commander Wells DFC, carrying crews home for the Liberator Ferry Flight, crashed in Ireland - this was a great blow indeed for the Squadron. It has since been learned that out of the nineteen personnel (including five officers) that F/O. J R. Anderson DFC and Sergeants Amos, Patterson and Haydon were injured, and the remainder killed. The Squadron could ill-afford to lose these valuable crews.

Wing Commander R J. Wells DFC, by his splendid leadership, enthusiasm and zest for operations built up for this Squadron a worthy reputation. It was his ambition to have the Squadron re-equipped with Liberators and it was with this end view that he proceeded to the UK. All who knew him were impressed by his remarkable courage, his sense on justice and his interest in the welfare of all ranks. His personality and high spirits made him a favourite with all - his loss is deeply felt.

F/L. F C. Barratt DFC, P/O. J P. Tolson and P/O. W B. Stephens were all officers with a keen sense of duty; at all, times their work in the Squadron was of exceptionally high standard.

It is a complete mystery to all as to how this crash occurred as both Captain and crew had a wide, extensive and varied experience.

[spidge]

Hi Peter,

These are the RAAF burials at Eglantine which show the other Commonwealth nationalities that would have been aboard with the Aussies in some of those County Down crashes.

I have sorted these by date also.

Aspinall	M.J.W		Fl Off	RCAF	23-Jul-43	22
Eaglen	R.D	1027840	Sgt	RAF	23-Jul-43	21	Wireless Operator/Air Gunner
Potter	A.G	417302	Fl Sgt	RAAF	23-Jul-43	30
Chabara	A.J	R131724	Fl Sgt	RCAF	16-Sep-43	25	Wireless Operator
Gibbison	A.G	424976	Fl Sgt	RNZAF	18-Nov-43	22	Wireless Operator/Air Gunner
Connell	F.A		Fl Off	RAAF	23-Nov-43	22
Keane	J.R		Fl Off	RAAF	29-Nov-43	26
McCallum	N.F.D	418001	Fl Sgt	RAAF	29-Nov-43	23
Mullins	W.M	418542	Fl Sgt	RAAF	29-Nov-43	29
Bramwell	J	1458644	Sgt	RAF	14-Mar-44	21	Wireless Operator/Air Gunner
Galvin	A.J	417044	Fl Off	RNZAF	14-Mar-44	23	Pilot
Hook	R.P.S	1603654	Sgt	RAF	19-Mar-44	22	Flight Engineer
Vance	G.E		Fl Off	RCAF	15-Apr-44	22	Pilot
Taubman	K.J	424560	Fl Sgt	RAAF	8-Aug-44	22
Aston	O	1880856	Sgt	RAF	19-Mar-45	19	Air Gunner
Edge	R.J	1895861	Sgt	RAF	19-Mar-45	23	Air Gunner
Holmes	W.I	416205	Fl Off	RNZAF	19-Mar-45	23	Pilot
Pryde	A.J		Fl Off	RAAF	19-Mar-45	23
Sulsh	S.A		Pl Off	RAF	20-Apr-45	39	Flight Engineer
Ashard	R.E	1409954	A/man 1st Cl	RAF	19-Jul-45
Fenn	B	357151	War Off	RAF	27-May-46	49

[spidge]

Some great photos here of All Saints Eglantine taken when the cemetery is covered in snow.

There is also a photo of the Commonwealth Headstones.

http://www.eglantine.me.uk/photos.htm

[Peter Clare]

Found the two 59 Squadron losses.

19 June 1944
59 Squadron
Liberator GR.V
Serial FL990. 'A'

Crew.

F/L. Rowland Wade.
F/S. John Anderson.
F/S. James Steer.
F/S. Norman Cooper. RAAF Wop/Ag
F/S. Kenneth Apitz. RAAF Wop/Ag
F/S. John Haines.
F/O. James Parsons.
Sgt. John Cook.

Within minutes of taking off from Ballykelly the aircraft collided with Shrove Hill, just across Lough Foyle at Greencastle. At the time of the crash the mountain was shrouded in such dense fog that the Liberator was initially located by the sound of exploding munitions by those first at the scene. The aircraft hit the hill at a height of 1,500 feet and slid along the ground a distance of 200 yards.
The Irish Army recorded the time of the crash at 1.10pm, but a local man who, as a teenager, visited the site shortly after the crash, puts the time between noon and 12.30. The 59 Squadron ORB gives no take-off time.

[Peter Clare]

Garrard. John Percival.

14 March 1945
201 Squadron.
Sunderland
Serial. ML743.
Base: Castle Archdale.

Crew.
F/L. D. Hatton.
F/L. John Garrard. RAAF.
F/L. V. Howkins.
F/O. E. Cave.
P/O. R. Becker.
P/O. S. Smith.
F/S. N. Davison.
F/S. G. Kennedy.
F/S. D J T. Twist.
F/S. J G. Robinson.
F/S. F N G. Ford.
Sgt. J. McEvoy.

This was perhaps the most serious Sunderland crash in Co. Donegal which occurred on the 14 March 1945 at 02:15 hrs in the morning. All the crew perished when the aircraft hit Crownard just above Killybegs over looking Donegal Bay at 1,700 feet outward bound on an anti-submarine patrol.

[spidge]

Thanks for the detail Peter. Great info.

While they were prepared to lose friends in battle, these kind of accidents must have been extremely difficult for their squadron mates to absorb.

[Peter Clare]

Gallagher. A J.
Johnston. A S.
Sansome. G H.

7 November 1943.
1663 HCU.
Halifax V.
Serial. EB134.
Base. Rufforth, Yorkshire.

Crew.
F/S. G H. Sansome RAAF. +
F/S. A S. Johnston RAAF. +
W/O. N W. Gardner RCAF +
Sgt. A J. Gallagher RAAF +
Sgt. E W. Camp +
Sgt. L H. Wildman +
Sgt. R M. Clark +

Aircraft was on a night time training flight when it was diverted from its base but appears to have gotten lost. All crew killed in subsequent crash in Galway. Wreckage over the border 17 Nov. A. Tierney article 'Sound of Wings' in JOTS 2006. OTS and the people of Lavally unveiled a memorial to the crew on August 5, 2007. Thread on 57Rescue Forum Nov2005. Rootes built, EB127 - EB160; [MA File G2/X/1250, read for names; Article above and order of service, booklet from memorial service; All the RAAF men's Service records and casualty files are digitized on NAA; IMA #B78; MacCarron p.51, crew not all Canadian, 3 Australians, 1 Canadian and remainder British; Robertson p.210]

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Geoff,
This seems, for the time being, all I can offer on details concerning RAAF personnel losses in Ireland. I've gone through your list but cannot find any others listed in my reference books. Maybe others can help more.

Regards
Peter.

PS.
For the 5 OTU losses could I suggest this publication, seems to be just down the road from you.

No. 5 OTU Operational Training Unit RAAF 1942 - 46 and 1970 - 71: Lever, J. A.: 0958721823

[Peter Clare]

Geoff.

Just come up with a possible for D F. Capel RAAF. 220 Squadron killed 10 August 1942.

220 Squadron lost Fortress FK207/J on that day, the aircraft crashed at RAF Nutts Corner. Sorry to say I cannot add more info on this one at the moment, I have a contact in Canada who might be able to help, as soon as I hear from him I let you know.

[Peter Clare]

Geoff

Just received this regarding Sgt. D F. Capel from my contact in Canada. More to follow on the 206 Squadron losses later.


Sergeant David Farquhar Capel, age 22.
Royal Australian Air Force, Service No: 404602.
Son of Raymond Cecil and Irene May Capel of Goondiwindi, Queensland, Australia.
Sec. 23, Grave 8, Killead (St. Catherine) Church of Ireland Churchyard.

Fortress FK207. J/220

Lost speed in a turn and dived into rising ground near Nutts Corner airfield in bad weather while returning from a sortie originating from Ballykelly. All six crew members lost [usual crew at the time was seven].