450108 - Unaccounted Airwoman & Airmen - 08-01-1945

[COL BRUGGY]

Hello,

UK.

179030 F/O Peter Ronald ARMSTRONG RAFVR.

179030 F/O (W./Op.) Peter Ronald ARMSTRONG RAFVR, of 105 Operational Training Unit, Bramcote, was killed when Wellington X LP761 crashed off Bardsey Island, off the tip of the Llyn Peninsula, Caernarvon, during a navigational exercise.

See:
Failed To Return - Airmen Died In The Second World War 1939-45. The Roll of Honour of the British, Commonwealth and Allied Air Services. Part 2: A-B.
Hobson,Chris (Comp.).
Uckfield:Naval & Military Press,2018.
p.199.

Col.

[malcolm_raf]

Hi

The only problem with Hobson's entry on Armstrong is that his death was registered in Scunthorpe which fits more with being killed in Wellington X, NC954 of No 105 (T) OTU, which crashed near Wootten in Lincolnshire after hitting a pole following an engine fire. He is buried in Harrow (Pinner) New Cemetery.

The crew of LP761 are all commemorated on Runnymede.

Malcolm

[peterowan]

Hello Malcolm. What's your thinking / sources for putting Cheesman, Stevens and Thorn in LP761 - is it the coincidental date of aircraft loss with date of death + the Runnymede listing meaning they were lost? Do you think there could have been others on board?

Peter

[malcolm_raf]

Hi

The GRO lists Cheesman, Stevens and Thorn as being members of No 105 OCU and being on the Runnymede fits with a loss at sea.

Co-incidentally the unit lost a second aircraft the same day, NC954, which crashed near Scunthorpe, hence my comment that Armstrong was in that aircraft, not LP761.

105 OCU trained transport crews so a crew of three is likely, pilot, navigator and WOp, there would be no need for an Air Bomber or Air Gunners.

Malcolm

[peterowan]

Malcolm, many thanks for that crewing information. I concur about the Runnymede reasoning. Is that GRO info from the actual death certificates?
Peter

[malcolm_raf]

Hi Peter

It's from the official GRO list of deaths which were not registered by a UK Register Office because it occurred overseas or at sea.

Malcolm

[malcolm_raf]

Further to my last message.

I have now found another candidate for LP761 - Flt Sgt Horace Edward Golding (1587410). His death is registered in Pwllheli, which covers Bardsey Island and is CWGC registration states he was with No 105 OTU. So he could be the fourth crew member, assuming two pilots, Nav and WOp.

Malcolm