Hello, I am Belgian and looking for a photo or family members of FL/Lt Navigator Alfred E. D.(born 11 03/1920), who was killed in an air-crash with the MOSQUITO NF.MkXIX, serial number MM 678- squadron 157 The pilote VALE William (AUS) was also killed in the fatal accident. Airborne at 1805 6Oct1944 from Swannington Airfield in support of the" Main Force Dortmund operation." The cause of the air-crash is unknown. Although the crash-site is unknown it happened in Belgium, in the village of DRIESLINTER Province:Vlaams-Brabant,at approximately 5 miles of the city TIENEN ( = Tirlemont in French). The information and /or photo(s) of him will only be used for the "VVF sectie Tienen" (that’s a local Heritage Association in the Province of Flemish Brabant). Many thanks
I think the chap you are looking for had the surname Ashcroft: CWGC :: Casualty Details Name: ASHCROFT, ALFRED EDWARD DAVID Initials: A E D Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Flight Lieutenant (Nav.) Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Unit Text: 157 Sqdn. Age: 24 Date of Death: 06/10/1944 Service No: 112736 Awards: D F C Additional information: Son of Alfred and Edith Maud Ashcroft, of Cobham, Surrey. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: X. 23. 25. Cemetery: BRUSSELS TOWN CEMETERY
I think the chap you are looking for had the surname Ashcroft: CWGC :: Casualty Details Name: ASHCROFT, ALFRED EDWARD DAVID Initials: A E D Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Flight Lieutenant (Nav.) Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Unit Text: 157 Sqdn. Age: 24 Date of Death: 06/10/1944 Service No: 112736 Awards: D F C Additional information: Son of Alfred and Edith Maud Ashcroft, of Cobham, Surrey. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: X. 23. 25. Cemetery: BRUSSELS TOWN CEMETERY Details of the above loss...... 6-7 October 1944 157 Squadron Mosquito XIX MM678 RS-A Op. Bomber Support Took off at 1805 hrs from Swannington in support of a raid to Dortmund. Crew. P/O. W S. Vale RAAF + F/L. A E. Ashcroft DFC + Details - 'Bomber Command Losses' Vol.5 - W R. Chorley
This is all that I have on the loss. RAAF FATALITIES IN SECOND WORLD WAR AMONG RAAF PERSONNEL SERVING ON ATTACHMENT IN ROYAL AIR FORCE SQUADRONS AND SUPPORT UNITS 401553 Pilot Officer VALE, William Searle Source: AM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 166/43/87 Digitised, Commonwealth War Graves records Aircraft Type: Mosquito Serial number: MM 678 Radio call sign: Unit: ATTD 157 SQN RAF Summary: Mosquito MM678 took off from RAF Swannington at 1807 hours on 6th October 1944, detailed to carry out an intruder support sortie of targets being Bremen and Dortmund. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it failed to return to base. Crew: RAAF 401553 PO Vale, W S Captain (Pilot) RAF Flt Lt Ashcroft, A E DFC (Navigator/Radio) The aircraft crashed 5 miles north east of Tirlemont which is east of Brussels, Belgium. Both the crew were killed and they are buried in the Brussels Town Cemetery, Belgium. The Cemetery is located in the north east corner of Brussels in the district of Evere. VALE.-Pilot-Officer William Searle, killed while) in operation on October 6, 1944, dearly loved son of Mr. and Mrs. Searle Vale, Timberlea, Picola, and beloved brother of Ruth, Thelma, Gwen, Enid, Henry, Stanley, Arthur, Grace, and Barbara. -In God's keeping. Duty nobly done. In Memory of Pilot Officer WILLIAM SEARLE VALE 401553, Royal Australian Air Force who died age 27 on 06 October 1944 Son of Henry William Searle Vale and Marion Eliza Vale; husband of Emilie Georgina Cecilia Vale, of Southall, Middlesex. Remembered with honour BRUSSELS TOWN CEMETERY In Memory of Flight Lieutenant ALFRED EDWARD DAVID ASHCROFT D F C 112736, 157 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve who died age 24 on 06 October 1944 Son of Alfred and Edith Maud Ashcroft, of Cobham, Surrey. Remembered with honour BRUSSELS TOWN CEMETERY
Alieneyes, Peter Clare and Spidge, many thanks for all the information..but I already knew that those airmen were buried in Brussels . I had also contact with a family member (living in Australia) of pilot VALE. I received a photo of him. I am still expecting that somebody in GB could send me a photo of ASHCROFT Alfred (the navigator). These photos will ONLY be used for the heritage association in Tienen. I hope that you'll can help me out. However, I am amazed and greatfull that the men "on the other side of the Channell" are very helpfull, just like during the 2nd WW!!! many thanks and greets from Belgium
I see that your post is few years old, however do you have a photograph of Alfred yet? If not let me know and I will supply you with one. On Saturday 11th November there will be a Remembrance Service at St. Peter's Church, Haveringland, Norfolk, UK in honour of those who flew from RAF Swannington in WW2. All are welcome. Mike Hillier Haveringland Norfolk. UK
Alfred Ashcroft served during the Battle of Britain with 141 Squadron see Battle of Britain London Monument - Sgt. A E Ashcroft which also has a photo
Hi Kevin The A.E. Ashcroft I have was the Navigator to Pilot Officer William Searle Vale flying Mosquitos on 157 Sqn. He was a Flight Lieutenant, Service No.112736 and was a awarded the DFC. His Mosquito Aircraft, XIX MM678 RS-A crashed whist supporting an air raid over Dortmund on 6 October1944. Both Alfred and his Pilot, Pilot Officer William Searle Vale died in the crash. Alfred was aged 24 and William was aged 27. The son of Alfred and Edith Maud Ashcroft of Cobham, Surrey, Alfred is laid to rest in Brussels Communal Cemetery, Evere Arrondissement, Brussel-Hoofdstad, Brussels, Belgium. Plot X, Row 23, Grave 25.
Hi Mike. Welcome to WW2Talk. For those that may not realise the significance of St. Peter's Church, Haveringland to RAF Swannington. https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place...183106d!8m2!3d52.7237716!4d1.1712508?hl=en-GB Norfolk Churches Other airfields around Swanington: Attlebridge, Swanton Morley, Foulsham, Oulton, cotishall, and Hosham St Faith.
Mike - it's the SAME guy! That's why I posted the link to his EARLIER service before commissioned - did you not open the link?