166 Squadron Lancaster crashed Bristol Channel 3rd July 1945. Seeking further information. Can anyone help?

Mike Hughes · Aircraftsman 1st Class

166 Squadron Lancaster crashed Bristol Channel 3rd July 1945. Seeking further information. Can anyone help?

RAF 166 · Corporal

Information from Bomber Command Losses - 1945 from W. R. Chorley

At around 1300, dived into the Bristol Channel while on training mission.

Crew

Flg. Off. George Barlow - Pilot

Flt. Sgt. Ainsley Rupert Kirschner - F/E

Sgt. Charles Edward Butler - Nav

Flg. Off. James Doyle - A/B

Flt. Sgt. Ronald Joseph Sullivan - W/Op.

Sgt. William Frederick George Edge - MUG

Sgt. William Gibson - R/G

Five bodies were recovered.

F/O Doyle and Sgt. Gibson remembered on Runnymede Memorial panel 266 and panel 275 respectively.

Plt. Off. Barlow buried Manchester Southern Cemetery.

Sgt. Butler buried Tottenham Cemetery.

Sgt. Edge buried WATERFALL(SS. JAMES AND BARTHOLOMEW) CHURCHYARD

Flt. Sgt. Kirschner buried PORTSDOWN(CHRIST CHURCH) MILITARY CEMETERY

Flt. Sgt. Sullivan buried LEWISHAM(HITHER GREEN) CEMETERY

MikeH · Air Vice Marshall

Hi Mike,

Lancaster Mk I SW278 AS-V.

the aircraft dived vertically into the Bristol Channel, 5 miles north-west of Kewstoke Church. The Weston-super-Mare lifeboat was promptly launched, but they only recovered the body of the pilot. As the lifeboatmen were unaware that the crashed aircraft was a Lancaster, with a crew of seven, they did not search for the rest of the crew. Five bodies were recovered, four of them after being washed up on the beach at Brean Sands over the next few days. Panels 266 and 275 respectively of the Runnymede Memorial perpetuate the names of F/O Doyle and Sgt Gibson. P/O Barlow, who rests in Manchester Southern Cemetery, had married Ann Barlow of Clontarf, Co.Dublin in the Irish Republic.

Regards,

Mike.

-- Edited by MikeH on Friday 7th of April 2017 01:54:48 PM

Mike Hughes · Aircraftsman 1st Class

Hello,

Thank you very much indeed for taking the time to reply. This is very helpful information regarding the crew. It is the sister of F/O Doyle that I am trying to help. I wonder if there are any aircrew or groundcrew around who would have been at Kirmington with 166 Squadron in 1945 when this incident occurred? I am very grateful to you for taking the time to reply. Mike

Mike Hughes · Aircraftsman 1st Class

Hello Mike H

Thank you so much from another Mike H. This extremely helpful. I wondered where in the Bristol Channel this sad incident may have taken place. I can pass this on to F/O Doyle's sister. I will now be able to try a letter to local newspapers in the Western Super Mare area, as I have a location. This is a big help. What I would like to do is make contact with anyone in that district who have been aware of the crash. Another area of research would be to try to locate any RAF personnel who were stationed at Kirmington in 1945, or obtain a copy of a photo of a Lancaster of 166 Squadron at that period. I really appreciate your help. Best wishes, Mike.

MikeH · Air Vice Marshall

Hi Mike,

It might be worth contacting the local newspapers, library or church in the area.

Iv'e just looked on google maps and the Lancaster may have crashed somewhere in the red circle?

SW278 crash site.jpg

Regards,

Mike

Mike Hughes · Aircraftsman 1st Class

Hello Mike

This is extremely helpful. I am off to see F/O Doyle's sister this morning, so I will be able to show her this. Very many thanks, Mike.

MikeH · Air Vice Marshall

Hi Mike,

You might be able to find more information from the National Archives (166 Squadron Summary of Events Jun-Nov 1945).

This can be purchased online.

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D8436959

Regards,

Mike.

barnsley · Air Commodore

Hi, the Barlow crew, including F/O Doyle joined 166 Squadron on 13/04/45. F/O Doyle flew on food dropping operations on 04/05/45 and 07/05/44. The crew were also involved in repatriation of POWs later in the month.
There is no additional information regarding the crash in the 166 Squadron Operations record book, save an entry on that the aircraft was overdue and was subsequently reported as having crashed in the Bristol Channel. On the 13/07/45 it reports that three further bodies were recovered.
you might like to contact me on mjc41uk@yahoo.co.uk (do not use the wizard, type my email address into your email provider direct) and I may well be able to assist you further.

Date: Apr 17, 2017

Very helpful led Mike. Many thanks. Mike

Date: Apr 18, 2017

Hello Barnsley

Very many thanks, the information is extremely helpful. I tried to contact you via Yahoo but unfortunately email was returned.

It is fascinating about the food drop information. It seems F/O Doyle dropped chocolate over a Dutch village in a homemade parachute [a hanky]. A Dutch man traced the family in the 1980s - trying to find James Doyle - to thank him. He had been a boy during WW2.

Thank you again for your kindness in getting in touch. I would be delighted if you can assist any further.

Bet wishes

Mike

Date: Nov 11, 2017

My Great Uncle, sgt W Edge was also on this flight. I know that we have very little information on what happened but should any evidence photographic/ memories remain, we as a family would love to know more. Always think of Bill this time of the year.

Steph

barnsley · Air Commodore

Sgt Edge Killed in flying accident July 1945

Hi, if you care to email me on mjc41uk@yahoo.co.uk I can provide you with some further information. B