420429 - Unaccounted airmen - 29-4-1942

[Henk Welting]

Thanks Col & Dennis for this additional info.
Regards,
Henk.

[dennis_burke]

Again
Ievers killed in a bomb disposal explosion:
http://www.rafbdhistory.co.uk/new_page_5.htm

[dennis_burke]

A relative of bernard Hawcroft contacted me by PM:

He passed on the following:

--------

I have a copy of the D/C - He died at the Military Hospital York on 25/4/42 from "injuries due to a bomb explosion"

I went to Barnsley and found this in the Chronicle records at the library:

"AC1 Hawcroft enlisted in the RAF in August 1941. In civil life he was employed by Jubbs fishmongers of Church st and later in Sheffield.

A keen cyclist Aircraftman Hawcroft was a member of the Loncar Wheelers cycle club.

The funeral of AC1 Hawcroft took place at Bsly Cemetery on Tuesday. A party of cadets from Bsly ATC and sounded the Reveille and the Last Post at the graveside.The service was conducted by Rev Tudor Phillips (St Peters)"

[Henk Welting]

Dennis,
Annotations made.
CWGC: 29-4-1942 - D/C 25-4-1942 for HAWCROFT. Will not start "fighting" with the CWGC for the 4 days difference as I've no proof to convince them.
Regards,
Henk.

[dennis_burke]

Sorry, never copped on to the date difference, I double check with him.

[paulmcmillan]

Copy of Death Certificate will convince CWGC!

[dennis_burke]

Frank checked again and the death certificate does say the 29th, so there is no issue with the date of death of Bernard Hawcroft.
The death cert says he died at the Royal Airforce Station, Clifton Without.

[wwrsimon]

Hello

AC2 Cecil J. BRICE - 1561181 - Age 34 - the Statutory Deaths Register on the Scotland's People website records that he died at 9.00 p.m. at The Infirmary, Kilmarnock, due to carcinoma of the lung and secondary carcinoma of the brain.

AC2 (Pilot u/t) James R.H. FAIRWEATHER - 1316928 - the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette of May 8th 1942 reported the following:

WHERE WERE LIFEBUOYS?
Coroner's Comment At Devon Inquest
Returning a verdict of "Accidental death" at an inquest on Friday on James Robert Fairweather, aged 21, aircraftman, who was drowned while bathing from Torre Abbey Sands, the Coroner (Mr. Ernest Hutchings) said he could not understand why lifebuoys were not kept at the spot considering that the public were allowed to bathe there. He was of the opinion that had these existed this man might have had a chance of being saved.
Evidence showed that deceased, disregarding advice from his fellows, went into the sea to bathe but got into difficulties. His comrades ran to the sands but no lifebuoys were to be found. Planks and ropes were thrown without effect. P.C. Bennett told the Coroner that since the fatality a lifebuoy had been placed at the spot.

Regards

Simon