What caused the death of AC2 William J. BOLTON - 756194 - died of wounds AND (!) injuries received on active service (Flight Global), buried Frétin Communal Cemetery, Dept. Nord, France FR56).
He was 85 Sqn, at that time based at Lille-Séclin, flying Hurricanes, and

Cpl James E.C. COWELL - 520079 - whose name I can't find in The Times and Flight archives, buried Lewisham (Ladywell) Cem., London County (UK3714).

Suggested aircraft write-off (if killed on active service):

K4982 - Hart T - 11 FTS - crashed on landing Shawbury.

Regards and thanks for your help.
Henk.

• RE: 'Unaccounted' airmen - 11-5-1940,Andy_Ingham, 04:53 PM, 11-Oct-07
  • RE: 'Unaccounted' airmen - 11-5-1940,Henk Welting (Guest), 05:03 PM, 11-Oct-07
• RE: 'Unaccounted' airmen - 11-5-1940,Joss Leclercq (Guest), 05:04 PM, 11-Oct-07
  • RE: 'Unaccounted' airmen - 11-5-1940,Henk Welting (Guest), 09:36 AM, 12-Oct-07
    • RE: 'Unaccounted' airmen - 11-5-1940,Joss (Guest), 11:52 AM, 12-Oct-07
      • RE: 'Unaccounted' airmen - 11-5-1940,Henk Welting (Guest), 02:31 PM, 12-Oct-07
        • RE: 'Unaccounted' airmen - 11-5-1940,tomthorne83, 08:14 AM, 13-Oct-07
          • RE: 'Unaccounted' airmen - 11-5-1940,tomthorne83, 08:19 AM, 13-Oct-07
            • RE: 'Unaccounted' airmen - 11-5-1940,Henk Welting (Guest), 11:02 AM, 13-Oct-07

Hello Henk
Cowell's death is registered at Hailsham, East Sussex.
Regards
Andy

Thanks Andy.
Regards,
Henk.

heelo Henk,

Bolton, the driver of the Squadron Adjutant, was killed during a German attack on Lille-Vendeville airfield. Same as Lille-Seclin (no accent), also known as Lille-Lesquin. The Germans will call it Lille-Süd. Actually Lille airport.

I was wondering why you were sticking to casualties in UK only, since you started january 1940... There are a few ground crew casualties buried in Nord and Pas-de-Calais, during the phoney war.

Joss

Thanks Joss for your support for the French part solving my long list of airmen sofar unaccounted for. Your help is very much appreciated. I indeed have more casualties buried in France, however could find their names in The Times and Flight Global archives as having "died" on active service . I'm just after those who were missing, killed in action/on active service or died of wounds or injuries received in action/on active service. It would take too much time to go after every airman who "died" on active service. Of course I would like to know what caused the death of the last-named group and if you agree will enter a threat on this board in due time with their names. Perhaps more visitors may have interest in what happened to these men.
Oncemore thanks for your help.
Best regards,
Henk.

hello Henk,

I was just wondering about the Continent, as your questions and the answers are interesting. I confirm it's often difficult to get details about the cause of death of most ground crews, and in some case of Aircrew in ground accidents.

By the way, there was a casualy you inquired about, a few weeks ago, Taylor, buried in Terlincthun (Wimille). late 39 or early 40. Finn Buch answered he was a member of No. 75 Wing.

Incidentally, I checked No. 75 Wing ORB last week at Kew, but no mention at all of this casualty, or of the funeral/burial. So can't add anything to it.

Cheers

Joss

Joss,
I'll have a new threat on the board with regard to airmen who "died" on active service and are buried in France. Every info on what caused their death is very welcome.
Regards,
Henk.

Hi Henk, pilot of Hart K4982, 11 FTS was Sgt O V Hanbury (742867) who flew in B of B with 602 Sqn and then later 260 Squadron. Awarded DFC and DSO later on and and went missing on a transit flight to the Middle East with 117 Sqn, 3rd June 1943.

Cheers, Tom

Forgot to add that the aircraft turned over after the pilot held off too high and landed heavily. Sgt Hanbury was slightly injured.

Thanks Tom for info on Hart K4982 and Sgt Hanbury. S/Ldr (!) Osgood V. HANBURY - 81357 - DSO - DFC & Bar, commemorated on the Runnymede Panel 200, was shot down over the Biscay Bay ferrying Hudson FK386 with the loss of ten crew/passengers.
Info among other from Errol Martyn's "For Your Tomorrow", Vol.2, page 103.
Regards,
Henk.