Hello all, I am trying to find out more about the Liberator V FL954 that crashed into Lough Foyle on the 24th October 1943 as my uncles father was one of the English aircrew that was sadly killed. He was an air gunner/wireless operator aboard the aircraft that took off from Ballykenny, Northern Ireland on I believe an anti-submarine mission. Internet searches have led me to the RCAF maple leaf website and a post that stated that some off the crew were Canadian. Please can anyone help with the names of the rest of the airman that lost their lives and any other information regarding the crash? I am doing this research on behalf of my uncle so any assistance would be much appreciated. My uncles fathers name is: W/O Francis William Hutchinson RAFVR (86 Sqn) Many thanks in advance, Carl.
Hi Carl, Liberator was coded Z for Zebra. Op: Convoy Escort, took off from RAF Ballykelly at 01:52 hrs on 24th Oct 1943. Crew Sgt W J Barber S/L L F Cooper F/Sgt N K P Hickson RNZAF Sgt D Kirkwood Sgt E J Brown F/Sgt J A Deschamps RCAF W/O F W Hutchinson F/Sgt S A H Richards RCAF F/O D G Evans Crashed after takeoff in Lough Foyle. Regards Ross
A concise history of FL954..... Liberator GR.V Ex. 41-11606 Delivered Dorval 13 January 1943 Departed Dorval 21 January 1943 Arrived Prestwick 26 January 1943 To Scottish Aviation Ltd 31 January 1943 Delivered to No.86 Squadron 6 March 1943 Sank U 643 on 8 October 1943 (F/O. C W. Burcher and crew) Lost height after take-off from Ballykelly on 24 October 1943 and crashed into Lough Foyle. Struck Off Charge (SOC) 31 October 1943
Thankyou all for the fast replies and Randy for pointing me in the right direction. I'm very grateful. I've not found many pictures of Coastal Command Liberators so I presume it would be a bit ambitious to find one of FL954? Kind regards, Carl.
My great uncle was SAH Richards who died with that crew. This is fascinating. I can't wait to tell my grandmother.
