Aircrew: surch for FL/Lt Navigator Alfred E. D

Discussion in 'The War In The Air' started by REDCAP50, Jan 18, 2012.

  1. REDCAP50

    REDCAP50 Junior Member

    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
     
  2. alieneyes

    alieneyes Senior Member

    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
     
  3. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    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
     
  4. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    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
     
  5. REDCAP50

    REDCAP50 Junior Member

    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
     
  6. Mike Hillier

    Mike Hillier New Member

    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
     
    RCG likes this.
  7. KevinBattle

    KevinBattle Senior Member

  8. Mike Hillier

    Mike Hillier New Member

    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. upload_2017-7-30_9-47-16.png
     
    RCG likes this.
  9. RCG

    RCG Senior Member, Deceased

  10. KevinBattle

    KevinBattle Senior Member

    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?
     

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