F/O Richmond Lovett Meredith NZRAF

[Dyan]

Lost 29 Oct 1942 flew with 115 Sq, on Runnymeade Memorial. No NZ 411768.

I have all the family details etc can anyone give me details of his demise please.

Thanks.

Dyan

[AlanW]

Dyan,
According to Chorley, X3540, took off from Mildenhall 14.00hrs, for ops to Essen. Presumed lost in sea off the Dutch coast. All, apart from F/Sgt Urwin, have no known graves. F/Sgt Urwin is buried in Vlissingen Northern Cemetery.
F/Sgt Urwin, RNZAF.
Sgt C.W. McHenry.
Sgt H.P. Norcross.
Sgt L.H. Martin, RNZAF.
F/O R.L. Meredith, RNZAF.

This was one of three 115sqdn aircraft lost on this operation.

[Dyan]

Filled in a gap in the "family tree" do you know what sort of aircraft - obviously Bomber Command. Sorry to be a pain.

Dyan

[CZ_RAF]

Hi Dyan,

you are right is was a BC squadron.
You can see more for example here:
http://www.raf.mod.uk/bombercommand/h115.html

So he was flying on a Wellington.

More details about the pilot:
http://wings.net.nz/wp/urwin-r-w

Pavel

[AlanW]

Dyan,
Can't believe i left that out. Wellington X3540, Squadron code KO-X.

[Arthur Arculus]

Hello Dyan,

I have a photo of Sgt. Martin if you would like it. Please contact me at awarculus@xtr.co.nz there are no photos of the others that I can locate at the moment.
Cheers,
Digger.

[Arthur Arculus]

Sorry Dyan,
Should read @xtra.co,nz finger trouble in my old age!
Digger

[Errol Martyn]

Dyan,

From my trilogy 'For Your Tomorrow - A record of New Zealanders who have died while serving with the RNZAF and Allied Air Services since 1915 (Volume One: Fates 1915-1942)' :

Thu 29 Oct 1942
Bomber Command

‘Cloud cover’ raid on Ruhr area of Germany (by 6 Wellingtons - 3 lost)
115 Squadron, RAF (Mildenhall, Suffolk - 3 Group)
Wellington III X3540/X - took off at 1400 to raid Essen and brought down into the North Sea, probably off the Dutch coast, where the captain’s body was later recovered, to be buried at Vlissingen. His four comrades are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Captain: NZ405346 Flt Sgt Reginald William URWIN, RNZAF - Age 23. 460hrs. 14th op.
Wireless Op: NZ411768 Fg Off Richmond Lovett MEREDITH, RNZAF - Age 22. 204hrs. 15th op.
Rear Gunner: NZ412346 Sgt Leslie Hunter MARTIN, RNZAF - Age 33. 186hrs(?). 16th op.
------------------------------

Amendments from Vol Three (Biographies and Appendices):

URWIN, R W – body washed ashore 25 November near Wissenkirke. MARTIN’s 186hrs were up to 15 Oct 42 (last log book entry).

-----------------------------

50% loss rate, providing a fine example of why 'cloud cover' raids were not a good idea.

Errol

[Dyan]

I have PM'ed you.