Cadet Sergeant E T Rees

[Galgos]

I'm doing a little research on a collision of two Tiger Moths based at 28 EFTS Mt Hampden, S Rhodesia on 14 April 1943. Cadet Sergeant Ernest Thomas Rees 524559, aged 27 was fortunately the only fatality; two things intrigue me about Rees. Firstly his service number of 524559 which according to the list on this site was amongst those allocated to civilians in 1925 when Rees, according to my often inaccurate maths was 9 years old. Secondly he was mentioned in despatches at some point, I wonder why or when? Did he have a previous military career (he was considerably older than most pilots under training) and could this be a clue to his service number? Incidentally, the CWGC records inaccurately show his date of death as 14/5/43.....perhaps there are other inaccuracies?
Max

[jimroutledge]

Max,

Rees's number was from a block allocated to start in 1925 and was in use for some years. Your man enlisted in late 1935 (Sep/Oct). This makes more sense of your research.

Jim

[Galgos]

Thanks Jim, that's a good start.
Max

[COL BRUGGY]

Hi Max,

Perhaps, another anomaly? The following is known:

No.28 EFTS Tiger Moth T7512 (c/n.83923), collided with TM T7938 (c/n.84302) and crashed near Mount Hampden 14-5-1943.

A-B RAF Aircraft T1000-V9999. pp.61 & 66.

Rees also received a mention (for Distinguished Service):

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/...upplement/1576 (see also p.1573)

Col.

[Galgos]

Thanks for that Col. I have the ORBs which clearly show the accident happening on 14 April not May. Another example I guess of authors not checking secondary references! I presume we can go no further with reasons for Ree's commendations.
Max

[COL BRUGGY]

Max,

Have no more info on Rees' MiD.

Rees' date of death raises an interesting question.

Here is the sequencing of burials in the European War Graves Plot, at Harare (Pioneer) Cemetery:

Grave 091 - 27/03/1943 - 1532593 AC1 William WRIGHT RAFVR
Grave 092 - 07/04/1943 - 658741 Sgt Robert Edward Bushell WARREN RAFVR
Grave 093 - 08/04/1943 - 1335454 Sgt George RAYNER RAFVR
Grave 094 - 08/04/1943 - 89296 F/L Bertram Joseph MARSDEN RAFVR
Grave 095 -
Grave 096 - 24/04/1943 - 1324770 Sgt Stanley Richard YEOMAN RAFVR
Grave 097 - 12/05/1943 - 932208 Sgt Reginald William Thomas BROCK RAFVR
Grave 098 - 14/05/1943 - 524559 Sgt Ernest Thomas REES MiD RAF
Grave 099 - 08/06/1943 - 1398808 AC2 Donald Arthur BARRETT RAFVR
Grave 100 - 14/06/1943 - 1622615 Sgt Henry Howes DUNWELL RAFVR
Grave 101 - 12/06/1943 - 1577882 Sgt Archibald PATON RAFVR
Grave 102 - 12/06/1943 - 1564514 Sgt James Rutherford MURRAY RAFVR
Grave 103 - 27/06/1943 - 1213732 LAC Bryan Ernest Frank HOWARD RAFVR
Grave 104 - 03/07/1943 - Air Commodore John William Boldero GRIGSON DSO DFC** RAF

Note the gap between Graves 94 and 96, and the dates, ie 08-04-1943 and 24/04/1943.

Something radically wrong here!

Col.

[Galgos]

Regarding Ree's date of death, it could be of course that he wasn't killed outright on 14 April but subsequently died of his injuries. I have some RATG medical reports but I don't think they contain the details of individual deaths.
Max

[Lyffe]

Max,

Since his wife and parents all appear to have lived in Llanelli, is it worth asking the Llanelli library if there is an obituary in one of the archived newspapers? It sometimes works. http://www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales.../#.VaUobsxIqQ8

Brian

[Galgos]

Thank you Brian, a splendid idea! I'll be on the case. I haven't had the need to post here for a while but it's so reassuring to see all the old faces still hard at it.....!
Max

PS I've just put the name Rees into the online phone directory for Llanelli, 143 hits!! Could be a big phone bill.

[Galgos]

I've just been through the ORBs in more detail regarding the accident and Ree's fate. The accident itself is listed in the RATG Headquarters ORB, taking place on 14/4/43. The ORB for 28 EFTS Mt Hampden however states:

"14 May 1943 No. 524559 Sgt Rees E. T., a cadet under training with 25C course, was involved in a collision on the aerodrome and subsequently died of his injuries."

So apologies to the CWGC, they were correct with his date of death, it's a coincidence that it's exactly a month after the crash. I intend to follow this up, it's given me a real eagerness to research the training and fate of many of those who went to Rhodesia.....I can see a new website coming up! Incidentally my present website "An Ordinary Crew" is down temporarily due to an as yet unexplained fault with the server over in the US of A. Somewhat frustrating!
Max