R.A.F. Turnberry 21-05-1943

**RobPalmer598** · 14th April 2020, 09:36

I am looking to reconcile the air crew on-board the three Wellingtons of No. 1 T.T.U. which crashed on 21 May 1943. The Wellingtons were: LB187, LB193 and LB237. My interest is in the issues in low-flying over water and the development of the radio altimeter, and came across this event but cannot yet find a complete resume of the events and the people involved. Thank you.

**wwrsimon** · 14th April 2020, 11:53

Rob

Have you seen this thread (see post #7):

http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/sho...hool-Newcastle

F/Sgt Forsyth-Johnson was the brother of Bruce Forsyth.

Regards

Simon

**RobPalmer598** · 14th April 2020, 20:21

Yes thanks I had. I have managed to reconstruct the crew of Wellington LB.237, as below:

1383232 F/Sgt J. F. FORSYTH-JOHNSON, R.A.F.V.R. Pilot & Captain Missing, presumed dead.
1384655 Sgt W. V. CHAMBERS, R.A.F.V.R. Missing, presumed dead.
1236744 Sgt T. B. CLARKE, R.A.F.V.R. Missing, presumed dead.
980210 Sgt C. JONES, R.A.F.V.R. WOp/AG Missing, presumed dead.
1377270 Sgt H. H. C. HARRIS, R.A.F.V.R. WOp/AG Died.
658389 Sgt B. H. LOWE, R.A.F. Missing, presumed dead.

The Aircrew Remembered website omits HARRIS, who I believe was a member of this crew.

**RobPalmer598** · 14th April 2020, 20:23

This is the crew of Wellington LB193 I believe:

116787 F/O Peter R. GRIFFIN Pilot & Captain Survived.
122825 F/O Frederick I THOMSON Second Pilot Survived.
129178 P/O Kenneth HOLDEN, Navigator (B) Survived.
1087504 Sgt Ronald DEAN, R.A.F.V.R. WOp/AG Missing, presumed dead.
1091023 Sgt Leslie Trevethan GIBSON, R.A.F.V.R. WOp/AG Missing, presumed dead.
1091215 Sgt Sydney LAWRENCE, WOp/AG Survived.

**RobPalmer598** · 14th April 2020, 20:24

It is the crew of LB187 that is more problematic, if anyone can help.

Pilot & Captain Survived
1039746 Sgt A. BROWN, R.A.F.V.R. ?? Missing, presumed dead.
Navigator (B) Survived.
WOp/AG Survived.
WOp/AG Survived.
1393290 Sgt E. EASU, R.A.F.V.R. WOp/AG Missing, presumed dead.

**Keith Bryers** · 18th April 2020, 21:18

Good evening,
For LB187: I have:
142051 P/O P A D Hollom RAF P1 (slightly injured)
Brown, as stated, WOp/AG, Runnymede Panel 143
133971 F/O K A Embery Nav aged 21 Runnymede Panel 124
Esau as P2, aged 24, Runnymede Panel 148
This info came from the late Doug Sim in 1979.

**Keith Bryers** · 18th April 2020, 21:21

I have Chambers as Nav, Clarke, Harris & Jones as WOp/AGs and Forsythe-Johnston & Lowe as Pilots (Per Doug Sim).

Keith

**RobPalmer598** · 19th April 2020, 18:14

Dear Keith - Thank you so much. Does this mean there were only four on board the first Wellington to ditch?

**Keith Bryers** · 19th April 2020, 20:26

Sorry, I don't know. Possibly but I think they would usually fly with a full crew just in case a U-boat or intruder a/c was sighted.

Keith

**andy wis** · 26th April 2020, 07:22

LB193 and LB237 were both attached to 1 TTU ( Torpedo Training Unit) and believed to have collided near Ailsa Craig whilst searching for a missing Hampden aircraft.