Can anyone help me tracing an air crash which I understand took place near Peterborough on or just before 3rd June 1945. I believe that a Halifax and a Wellington were involved in a mid-air collision. The particular crew member who’s story I am trying to trace is Sergeant Fred Saxby Thanks John
Did a search around, but nothing came up. The following site is quite comprehensive, but no mention of the incident: 1945 Incident Logs - BCAR.org.uk
Is this the person you are trying to trace Flt Sgt Frederick Walter Saxby – 1157076 (ORTU) If so A report on Saxby’s funeral in the Northampton Mercury, Friday 15 June 1945, states he was killed in a flying accident. TD Halifax III NA702 Halifax III NA702 of ORTU colliding with Wellington X LP906 of 81 OTU 450603 - Unaccounted Airmen - 03-06-1945
hi from Colin Cummings Halifax III NA702 ORTU On a night cross country exercise and was involved in a mid-air collision with Wellington LP906 over village of Werrington, north of Peterborough Sgt Sidney COOK pilot Sgt. Peter PURVES engineer Sgt Jim CUNNINGHAM gunner Fl. Lt. Lewis Alfred GOODBODY bomb aimer Sgt. David John Coutts MUSK wireless Ft. Sgt. Frederick Walter SAXBY navigator. all killed. Regards, Graeme
Here is a photo of his headstone from my collection. Flight Sergeant (Navigator) SAXBY, FREDERICK WALTER Service Number 1157076 Died 03/06/1945 Aged 31 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Son of Fritz and Emily Florence Saxby, of Buckingham; husband of Joan Saxby. Buried at BUCKINGHAM CEMETERY Location: Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom Number of casualties: 10 Cemetery/memorial reference: Cons. Sec. Grave 3754.
Re the loss of Wellington X LP906 on 3 June 1945 81 OTU Collided with Halifax NA702 CrewF/S. Albert George Collins 22 Pilot + F/S. Francis James Cleaver 22 Wireless Operator + Sgt. Alan John Perry 20 Bomb Aimer + F/O. Eric Francis 25 Navigator F/S. Frederick Howe 19 Air Gunner + From The Price of Peace - C. Cummings
Thank you to everybody who helped me with my research. This is an absolutely brilliant website. I’m glad I came across it (by accident). Fred Saxby will now be remembered in the Royal Latin School Roll of Honour and at least the school will know the broad details of how he died. Thank you all. John
