421128 - Unaccounted airmen - 28-11-1942 (ME/Med)

[Henk Welting]

What was the unit (and possible cause of death) of LAC John J. SIMS - 1300060 - age 22, who lies buried in the Bône War Cemetery, Tunisia.

Also looking for info on aircraft of F/Sgt (Pilot) Richard N. CRUIT - RCAF R/97858 - 152 Sqn (Souk el Arba, Algeria). His aircraft was shot down N of Tabourba near Tunis and lies buried in the Mendez el Bab War Cemetery, Tunisia.

Regards and thanks,
Henk.

[Henk Welting]

What were the places of death registration for the following airmen; none of them could be found in the Flight archives:

Sgt (Ag) Stanley L. DRAYTON - 1331697;
AC1 George W. GREGSON - 1505361;
AC2 Harold SINNOCK - 1078234, and
AC1 John B. STODDART - 1326554.

Regards and thanks for your help.
Henk.

[AlanW]

Henk
Drayton.....Stafford
Gregson....Stafford
Sinnock...Chippenham

[Henk Welting]

Thanks Alan; if you don't mind please could you also mention the county in your future replies. Thanks in advance.
Henk.

[malcolm_raf]

Hi Henk

Sims was 4089 Flt RAF Regiment.

Malcolm

[dennis_burke]

There is a John Bell Stoddart in Inverness district, Inverness, Scotland. Aged 30.

[alclark]

Gregson was killed when he was struck by a propeller at Wheaton Aston.

The entry in the No.11 (P)AFU ORB is:

"Night Landing Accident. Oxford II ED146. This aircraft, in which an instructor AUS403936 Sgt McAULEY V.J. had just landed on the runway during night flying, struck 1505361 AC1 GREGSON, G.W. He was crossing the flare-path at the time and was killed outright. The port airscrew of the aircraft suffered slight damage. There were no witnesses of the accident and the airman was not seen by either of the occupants of the aircraft. An Investigation was called for."

The medical section recorded the accident as 23:45.

[Henk Welting]

Thanks Malcolm for your help.
Henk.

[Henk Welting]

Thanks Al for this info on GREGSON; much appreciated.
Regards,
Henk.

[COL BRUGGY]

Henk,

Re: F/Sgt (Pilot) Richard N. CRUIT RCAF R/97858:

A.

Saturday, 28 November 1942

Aerial activity was again plentiful, on 152 Squadron's first sortie by eight aircraft at 1115, Sgt Crint [sic] was shot down in flames, Sgt Roberts claiming to have damaged the Bf 109 that got him; P/O Walker was also hit by a Bf 109, being badly wounded but also claiming to have damaged his attacker. Both aircraft may have been the victims of Oblt Rammelt of II./JG 51, who claimed two Spitfires at about 1215.

B

And for LAC John J SIMS 1300060, possibly:

At Bone after dark, a raid by seven Ju 88s was made on the airfield, 11 aircraft being rendered unserviceable; five Hurricanes of 225 Squadron were totally destroyed, and the main runway was hit. Gp. Capt. Appleton, commanding officer of 322 Wing was struck by a bomb splinter which almost severed his leg - it was amputated next day.

See:
Fighters Over Tunisia.
Shores,C., Ring,H. & W.N.Hess.
London:Neville Spearman,1975.
A. p.71
B. p.73

Col.