Devon

my Grandfather

I was looking at the roll call list and you seem to have missed my grandfather off it, his name was Alan Digby WO. One of his crew was Gordom Mercier.

Netherlands

Halifax HR853

Hello, we are still in search for relatives of the crew of Halifax HR853 which crashed near Malden, Netherlands on 26 May 1943. Most of the relatives I\'m in contact with, but the only one whose photo is still missing is that of Alfred Brown. No leads to relatives in the UK, so if anyone has an idea where to dig further, please contact me. I have tried many organisations, but still nothing.

We are busy with erecting a monument near the crashsite in Malden (near Nijmegen) for the lads.

If you have any information regarding Alfred Brown, please let me know.

Best wishes,

Jimmy Hilgen
Ewijk, The Netherlands

Somerset

My wife\'s uncle was a navigator with 51 squadron

Flying Officer Gerard Patrick Markham (DFC & BAR) was a navigator on Halifax III\'s and Flew a total of 37 Operations with RAF 51 Squadron (11 June 1944 - 25 October 1944) from Snaith: 31 of these operations were with the same crew; (P/O Charles Alfred Coldrick; F/S Norman Harry Rounce; F/S Ronald Joseph Dobson; Sgt B S Butterfield; Sgt W J Lea; Sgt H Bowes). 16 from the last 17 operations were in the same aircraft, MZ348 MH:A; 9 of the Operations were conducted with at least one crew member change. The remaining Operations were conducted with the same crew on a total of 13 different serials. He had one operation in this aircraft on 17/07/1944 to Bois de la Hais, with his most frequent crew. Respect to all.

The Braniel, Castlereagh, County Down, Northern Ireland

Act of Remembrance

On this the 80th anniversary, let us remember the crew of Halifax HR853,
51 Squadron, RAF Snaith, Yorkshire.

Brown, Sgt Alfred, Air Gnr.
Busby, Sgt Stanley, Wireless Operator / Air Gnr.
Chambers, Sgt William John, Flt Eng.
MacPhedran, Flt Sgt James Cumming, Air Bomber.
Price, Sgt William, Pilot.
Richardson, Sgt Christopher Arthur, Nav.
Worden, Flt Sgt Arthur Cephas, Air Gnr.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them.

We must never forget those who over many generations past and present have fought and died for our freedom and democracy at home and overseas.

Tockwith York

I was privileged to have known Former Flt. Lt. H M George.

Keep up the good work.

Lincoln

My father\'s squadron

In loving remembrance of a heroic and modest father Flt.Lt Robert Dickson Johnstone DFC who flew from Snaith and was shot down on May 12/13 1943 and was incarcerated in Stalag Luft 3 for 2 years until liberation. He died at 54 years whilst still serving in the Royal Air Force and is interred at Sopley Bournemouth. He was one of the many brave men from the UK and Commonwealth who gave their all. Lest we forget.

Farsley, Leeds.

Research 51Sqn.

Today i had lunch at the 51sqn memorial garden at RAF SNAITH, I have been a couple of times as i have been passing, but today i sat and had lunch with the guys. Its very humbling and proud to have served in the Royal Airforce as these gallant airman did. Lest we forget.

Bedford

An anniversary

For Frederick Biddle 01 June 1909 – 12th June 1943.
On the 12th June 1943 the crew of HR788 died in action. Personal tragedy for seven families amid a maelstrom of grief.
F/Sgt James John Anderson,
Sgt Frederick John Biddle,
Sgt Albert Edwin Brodie,
Sgt George Edward Evans,
Sgt David Glassman,
Sgt Anthony Ribour Helliwell,
Sgt George Luff.
We remember all who served in 51 Squadron.

The Braniel, Castlereagh, County Down, Northern Ireland

Act of Remembrance

On this the 79th anniversary, let us remember the crew of Halifax HR853,
51 Squadron, RAF Snaith, Yorkshire.

Brown, Sgt Alfred, Air Gnr.
Busby, Sgt Stanley, Wireless Operator / Air Gnr.
Chambers, Sgt William John, Flt Eng.
MacPhedran, Flt Sgt James Cumming, Air Bomber.
Price, Sgt William, Pilot.
Richardson, Sgt Christopher Arthur, Nav.
Worden, Flt Sgt Arthur Cephas, Air Gnr.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them

Bedford

Research and coincidence

Remembering Frederick ‘Freddie’ Biddle, his many comrades, and his crew mates aboard Halifax HR788 lost over the Oosterschelde 12th June 1943.

With love, sadness, gratitude and pride from the families and friends you never knew.

F/Sgt James John Anderson,
Sgt Frederick John Biddle,
Sgt Albert Edwin Brodie,
Sgt George Edward Evans,
Sgt David Glassman,
Sgt Anthony Ribour Helliwell,
Sgt George Luff.

Benedictus, benedicat eis, et benedicat nobis.

Eastbourne U.K.

Research on Eric Verrell Granddad

My Granddad Eric Verrell flew 19 operations from RAF Snaith between end Nov 1944 & 15th March 1945 mostly in NR142 MH-S he survived the war but sadly passed before i was born, I have some pics of him & crew and also a Tankard presented to the officers of 51 Sqd on display at the wings museum in West Sussex.

Braniel, Castlereagh, County Down, Northern Ireland

Act of Remembrance

On this the 78th anniversary, let us remember the crew of Halifax HR853, 51 Squadron, RAF Snaith, Yorkshire.

Brown, Sgt Alfred, Air Gnr.
Busby, Sgt Stanley, Wireless Operator / Air Gnr.
Chambers, Sgt William John, Flt Eng.
MacPhedran, Flt Sgt James Cumming, Air Bomber.
Price, Sgt William, Pilot.
Richardson, Sgt Christopher Arthur, Nav.
Worden, Flt Sgt Arthur Cephas, Air Gnr.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them

Devon,England

Grandfather

I am here on behalf of my Grandfather William Bamsey who proudly flew a Halifax bomber during the second world war.
Thanks You for the website

RAF Cottesmore, England

Regular visitor

Halifax HR853. 22/23May1943. Shot down by fighter and crashed at Malden.

Jimmy HILGEN [& friends have searched the site and sent over a piece of Perspex]
Thanks Jimmy for your efforts.
In memory of the crew.

Austin Texas, USA

I\'ve been here many times.

I\'m not really sure if the gardens are in good order. I used to get update newsletters long ago. I\'m still a little upset that my grandfather was a BIG part of this organization and it refuses to fly the American flag. YES. I offered to pay. KIA, 25 of May 1944 FO Carl McQuiston from Kansas USA. His sister died just last year (2019)and regaled us with wonderful stories. You did a great job \"Tex\"and you were a friend to the end. RIP

Near RAF Cottesmore, Rutland, UK.

Previous contributors

We wish to update the memory of the crew of Whitley Z6811.
Whitley Z6811; MH-D, 51 Squadron, RAF. 18/19-8-1941.


Departed RAF Snaith at 2134 hrs, on 18.8.41 for a raid against Cologne and crashed at 0200 hrs the next morning near Malden, south of Nijmegen.

JAMIESON, John Alexandra Barrie, Sgt, 1002131, Pilot. Age 19.
Son of Ronald Barrie and Barbara Low Jamieson, of Kerriemuir, Angus.

JOHNSTON, Howard Robert Franklin, Sgt, R/75095 Royal Canadian Air Force, Air Gunner.

MILNE, Angus, Sgt, 407091, Royal Australian Air Force, Observer. Age 28.
Son of Arthur and Eva Milne, of Wirrabara, South Australia.

The above three airmen died on Tuesday 19.8.41 and are buried at Uden. [5.D.8 - 7 - 6].


F.W. SHORROCK, P/O, promoted to Fl.Lt. #J/4843, RCAF, Pilot, was captured & became a P.o.W., nr.3740 in camp L3 - Stalag Luft 3 in Sagan and Belaria.


F.W. COLES, Sgt, promoted to W.O., #929448, RAF, Wireless Operator, survived to become a P.o.W., nr.23619 in camp S357, Kopernicus.
We placed a plaque in their memory in 2005/6.
Anyone with info, please contact us &/or Jimmy HILGEN [See posts of HR853]

Vorden, The Netherlands

Searching relatives crew crashed in Vorden, The Netherlands

Hello, I was wondering if your organisation can help to find relatives of the crew crashed in Vorden in March 1943. Registrationnumber BB244. I have contact with the son of the pilot (harris). I hope you can help me to find the relatives of the other victims.

Kind regards,

Robert Ellenkamp

Ewijk, The Netherlands

The crew of HR853

Hello,
I\'m trying to get in contact with familymembers from the crew of HR853. I saw that some have reacted below in the past and I sent them an e-mail already. Recently I was at Uden Commonwealth War Cemetery where the crew of HR853 caught my attention. I saw that not a lot was known about the crash and crashsite and I tried to find out more about it. Via some local residents I found out where it must have crashed on May 26, 1943. Unfortunately I don\'t have any photos from the entire crew (except for F/Sgt Worden, RCAF). I would really like to get into contact with family from the entire crew:
- Sgt Alfred Brown, RAF
- Sgt Stanley Busby, RAF (I sent the Busby family who posted below an e-mail)
- Sgt William John Chambers, RAF
- Sgt William Price Davies, RAF (I reacted on Brian West his post in this guestbook)
- F/Sgt James Cumming MacPhedran, RAF
- Sgt Christopher Arthur Richardson, RAF
- F/Sgt Arthur Cephas Worden, RCAF

Thank you.
Jimmy Hilgen
Ewijk, The Netherlands

Braniel, Castlereagh, Northern Ireland

A Time To Remember

On this the 75th anniversary of VE Year, let us remember the crew of Halifax HR853, 51 Squadron, RAF Snaith, Yorkshire.

Brown, Sgt Alfred, Air Gnr.
Busby, Sgt Stanley, Wireless Operator / Air Gnr.
Chambers, Sgt William John, Flt Eng.
MacPhedran, Flt Sgt James Cumming, Air Bomber.
Price, Sgt William, Pilot.
Richardson, Sgt Christopher Arthur, Nav.
Worden, Flt Sgt Arthur Cephas, Air Gnr.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them

Canada

Researching my great-grandfather Flt Sgt Arthur Cephas Worden, [Air Gnr.]

Thank you for remembering. God bless