Hi I am part of a small group from Chatteris, Cambridgeshire who are fundraising to get a Memorial sited in Chatteris to honour the aircraft and crew that crashed in and near our town during WW2. We knew we had a Lancaster, but after a few months of research we now have seven aircraft and crews to commemorate. Research continues into the crew members to get information and photos as we will be publishing a booklet in support of the Memorial. We have been quite successful in contacting relatives and friends of the crews via websites, local newspapers, Ancestry UK and Facebook groups. Some however are proving to be more difficult for us to find. So I wondered if anyone could help? Our elusive crew members are: 12th July 1941 - Blenheim MK IV, Z6360 - 17 Operational Training Unit (OTU) RAF Upwood (1057332) Sgt Ronald James SMITH (Pilot) RAFVR - Canada P/O (67591) Ronald Owen BOON (Obs) RAFVR – Plymstock Sgt (999616) James TINKER (Wop/AG) RAFVR – Sheffield 10th September 1941 - Wellington Mk 1C, R1767 - 25 Operational Training Unit (OTU) Sgt Robert ELMS (641574) Wireless Op/ Air Gunner – Rochdale Sgt George NEWMAN (1375423) Observer – Rayleigh Essex Sgt Thomas Reginald Frederick ROCH (921751) Observer - Pembrokeshire 2nd February 1943 - Miles Master Mk II, DL288 - 7 (P) Advanced Flying Unit Royal Air Force (7 (P) AFU RAF) Sgt Donald DITCHER (Pilot/instructor) 1219493 – Ecclesall 4th May 1943 - Lancaster, GT-J ED715 - 156 Squadron (All survived this crash but where did they go next?) Sgt R DRYSDALE, Flight Engineer Flying Officer D(ouglas?) J(ohn?) DRAKE Sgt J A RODGERS Flt Sgt B H (Rex?) HOOD RAFVR F/O J(effrey?) C(harles?) EADE - Wireless Operator 15th January 1945 - Mosquito XV1 MM194 - 128 Squadron Allan HEITMAN – Tasmania P/O Arthur NEVILLE Gould 26th February 1945 - Lancaster ME450 AA-W - 75 (NZ) Squadron Sgt Frederick Henry SAFFILL (RAFVR 1882066) – Maldon, Essex Sgt John Lawrence DUKE (RAFVR 2210530) – Stockport Sgt H HARK, RAFVR Our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/563957907428515/ Regards, Lorna
