567010 Christopher Day Beales (49973)

[Resmoroh]

Hello All,
Can I ask for any details of the circumstances surrounding the death of Flt Lt (poss T/A Sqn Ldr) C D Beales in Italy on 30 May 44. Probably an ex-Brat Spanner Basher (Tech Branch).
TIA
Peter Davies
[PS to Malcolm Barrass - this is 'One Of Them'!!]

[dennis_burke]

The GRO RAF overseas list gives his unit as 57 RSU.

He was in the Technical Branch and his name appears listed as Killed on Active Service in Flight magazines.

The full list being
KILLED ON ACTIVE SERVICE.—L.A/C. W. Aldcroft; Act. Fit. Lt. C. D. Beales; Sgt. A. Brown; Act. Fit. Lt. R. L. W. Cheek, D.S.O.; Sgt. R. Clark; L.A/C. J. W. Cottier; W/O H. W. Fletcher; Cpl. A. J . W. Hopkins; Sgt. P . W. D. Kevern; Cpl. G. Laker; Fit. Sgt. P Lane; P/O. I. D. MacKay; Sgt. D. H. Marshall: Set. R. Twaite; L.A/C. G. N. Weightroan; Fit Lt. A. T. Wickham, D.F.C.; Cpl. D. F. G. Wilder.

Cheek GRO Says 57 R & SU
Wilder GRO says 57 R & SU
Hopkins GRO says 57 RT SCH
Aldcroft - GRO says 57 RASU, type is fient and might be a typo

There are no other air force man in Bari that date, perhaps it was an explosion or accident while servicing or while in transport on the ground?

[dennis_burke]

Cheek was a pilot trade and had won a DSO with 40 Sqn in 1943. Maybe he was flying, the other three men were Cpl's and LAC.

An RSU woudln;t have had flying aircraft on strenght I imagine though.

[COL BRUGGY]

No.57 Repair & Salvage Unit, in fact, operated Wellington Ic DV498.

RAFFT&SU/257 (1st ed.)

Many other RSU's also operated their own aircraft.

Col.

[Resmoroh]

Thanks for all the info. I have constructed a Maybe Possible based on that data.

1 57 RSU was at Shallufa, Egypt, in Jun 44, and at Foggia, Italy by Dec 44 (rafweb).
2 Foggia and Bari are not too far apart in the same region of Italy (GE).
3 Beales is KOAS on 30 May 44 (CWGC)
4 He might have been on a recce (or the Advance Party) for the impending move of 57 RSU?
5 There are a lot of RAF in Bari Cemetery in contiguous graves dated 30 May to 2 Jun 44 (CWGC).
6 Two USAAF C-47s crashed at Bari airfield after a mid-air collision on 30 May 44. (ASN).

Can the experts either concur, or blow holes in it (as appropriate)!
Tks yr help
Peter Davies

[COL BRUGGY]

Hello,

Just this:

Old Haltonians Roll of Honour.

Entry No.: 30
A/A No.: 566010 [sic]
Name: Beales, Christopher Day
Rank: Flt. Lt. (49973)
Date of Death: 30-May-44
Age: 25
Buried or Recorded: Bari War Cemetery, Italy
Circumstance: 57 RSU. Killed in Flying Accident - Vickers Wellington.

http://www.oldhaltonians.co.uk/

Col.

[Resmoroh]

Col, Hi,
Mni tks for that. That's another one knocked off my list. Yr help much appreciated.
Peter Davies

[COL BRUGGY]

Hello,

Had a word with Henk, who informed me that Wellington X LN921, of 40 Sqn., was SOC as DBR in an accident on 30-5-1944. Given that Robert Cheek DSO, was an ex-40 Sqn man (his exploits in low-level strafing are described in David Gunby's "Sweeping The Skies"), there just might be a connection.

David might be able to help in this regard.

I'm sure the Old Haltonians would appreciate the info, as well.

Thanks Henk.

Col.