Lancaster serialled PB366 coded TL-S

Date: Jul 1, 2008

Lancaster serialled PB366 coded TL-S

Linda · Air Commodore

Hi Robert,
According to Chorley's,LancasterIII PB366 TL-S on an op to Cologne on 24/25th December 1944.
Crew
F/O T Kenyon
Sgt L.Williams
Sgt A.Thomas
F/S A.Cousins
F/S C.Blundell
Sgt C.Winter
Sgt R.Yallop-all RAFVR
Took off Graveley and crashed almost immediately after flying into trees at Paxton.All buried in home towns.
Yes-it would be nice to see it!

Date: Jul 2, 2008

Thanks, Linda.

I don't have the full Chorley set so i appreciate it the info.

I'm currently not a member so maybe I can't upload a scan but if you contact me at roful@sympatico.ca I will send you one - that much I do know how to do!

Tx.

Bob

Taglo · Leading Aircraftsman

My father's brother was Sgt Albert Thomas of Ystalyfera, Glamorgan and I have very recently tsarted researching his RAF service.

He is buried at Ystalyfera with a family headstone and War Graves Comission headstone. There is also a memorial plaque in the local chapel - I can translate the Welsh if required !

my Avtar is the only picture we have of Albert

-- Edited by Taglo on Monday 20th of August 2012 08:10:44 AM

-- Edited by Taglo on Monday 20th of August 2012 08:11:53 AM

Linda · Air Commodore

Hi-The Kenyon crew is up on the Aircrew Remembrance Society 1944 page-would you like to e mail me and I can get Sgt Thomas's photo added if you like,or you can send it directly to them?

Cheers

Taglo · Leading Aircraftsman

Thanks, I've already emailed them a copy of Albert's photo and the other details such as his age (22).

I've had a message from one of the original crew of TL-R (for Robert) who now lives in Australia and he was on the 24th Dec 44 mission!

cheers,

John

Linda · Air Commodore

Hi-Thats is great,Albert was one of the photo's that i couldn't find so he will be a welcome addition

Well done.

PeteT · Wing Commander

Hi

We are researching my partner's grandfather (CA Butler) who was KIA with 35 Squadron on 4th February 1945. He flew 31 missions as the flight engineer with A E Johnson's crew, including the Cologne mission on 24th December.

Some of his missions were in PB366, so if anyone has access to the photograph mentioned in the initial thread I would love to have a copy.

Regards

Pete

Date: Aug 26, 2012

I can do this for you and also have a nice scan I can send you of TL-C (likely BIII ND 936) if you're interested. Eml me at roful at sympatico dot ca (replacing the at and dot with the symbols) and I'll be happy to send them to you.

Bob

Taglo · Leading Aircraftsman

Hi Bob, I've just sent you an email to see if you could possibly send me a copy of anything you have on PB366.

Many thanks,

John

PeteT · Wing Commander

Bob

E-mail sent, which hopefully you will have received by now.

Regards

Pete

Taglo · Leading Aircraftsman

yes indeed, very many thanks.

I did reply via email, will check again as sometimes AOL does get blocked as spam!

cheers!

John

Date: Sep 29, 2012

Hi, please could you E-MAIL me the photo' as my Auntie saw the actual crash and was first on the scene, she recently gave an interview to NEWS & CRIER September 20 2012 our local weekly newspaper, and would be very interested in this, also my Cousin is a WWII historian and would find this fasinating.

The plain came from R.A.F. Gravely, over the top of her house ( she was 21at the time ) clipped the house opposite of them before contacting the ground at Low Farm, at Gt.Paxton, Cambs.

She obtained one of the crews flying gloves, but had to hand it in after her Father was contacted, and the police became aware of the fact.

My E-Mail is ivan.page1@btopenworld.com

Date: Sep 29, 2012

Sorry for omitting my name on my previous entry (below). date i entered the text was saturday, 29th september 2012

all the best, ivan.

E-MAIL ivan.page@btopenworld.com

Date: Oct 1, 2012

Have forwarded you a scan of the picture.

Date: Oct 3, 2012

Nice photo', many thanks. Ivan.

Date: Apr 20, 2013

Hi Robert,

I have just began researching what happened to my Mum's uncle, Leonard Williams who I always knew was killed during the war whilst serving in the RAF. Mums family never really spoke of what happened.

Through the internet I have discoverd that Leonard was the flight sergeant on the above Lancaster when it crashed shortly after take off on December 24th 1944.

If you have any pictures or other information you could email to me I would be grateful - I am trying to build a scrap book for Mum.

Many thanks

Peter Lightfoot

p.lightfoot2@ntlworld.com

Date: Apr 20, 2013

Hi Peter,

I'll email some of the things I've been sent over the last few months about that fatefull night. Gayford Evan-Hart was a very young boy in Great Paxton and remembers the crash site. I've had emails from people in Canada and Australia and Paul herod in the area of the crash has been incredibly helpfull in organising an apeal in the local newspaper and having an artcle published. I'd like to visit the crash site, possible later this summer.

cheers,

John

Taglo · Leading Aircraftsman

hi Peter,

I've just emailed you all the information I've had from Paul Herod and others about the fatefull crash of PB366 on 24 Dec 44.

I forgot to log on - thought it had happened automatically - so my fist reply came up as 'annoymous'

The avatar photo I use is the only pic out family had of Albert.

cheers,

John

Date: Apr 21, 2013

Hello Peter:

I see John has possibly e-mailed you a fair bit of information on this incident and I, too have a copy of a hand written eye witness account which Paul Herod provided me concerning this fateful night. John, too, lost a relative aboard this flight.

If perchance you haven't received it via John let me know and I will forward you an email with the information I have. It's quite a fascinating account of a terrible tragedy. When I get the opportunity I'll dig up the archived emails and redirect them to you. That should give you quite a collection for your scrapbook and your Mom will be amazed at how much you have been able to garner nearly 70 years after the event.

Those were certainly trying and harrowing days in which so many paid a sacrifice. Assembling the history is a very worthwhile endeavour. Let me know if there's any way I can help.

By fluke, I found aboard the internet a beautiful picture of a Lancaster my own Dad's crew flew in while at 1668 HCU Bottesford in '45. None of them had managed to get any pictures during their tenure there. It's unfortunate they are all gone now - they would have been tickled to discover the picture - personal photos, as I have been told, were rather frowned upon during those days. It was an amazing find to stumble across one and a good one at that.

I never found out how Dad had the picture of TL-S in his scrapbook. He must have procurred it somewhere in his travels and it's an interesting perspective at that. I'm happy to be able to share it and more than pleased to see you discovered the post aboard the forum.

Bob

Date: Aug 31, 2014

Hi,

Me and my family have just moved into the property which the Lancaster hit as it crashed down into the field at the end of our now garden.

We have found a RAF button in the garden today and I'm really interested in any information or photos you have of this sad story?

Thanks kindly, C

Charlotte

charlotte2997@hotmail.co,

Taglo · Leading Aircraftsman

Hi Charlotte,

Drop a line to Paul herod who lives in your area and has researched the crash. He organised a story in the local paper and a sketch of the crash site.

prherod@waitrose.com

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Huntingdon-St-Ives-St-Neots/Remembering-day-plane-came-down-19092012.htm

I live in South Wales and would like to pop over to visit the site one day, escpecially during this year 70 years since the crash.

Cheers,

John

paulh · Squadron Leader

Hi Charlotte,

I have sent you an e-mail with details of the crash.

Thanks John for remembering me, I hope you are keping well.

Paul Herod.

paulh · Squadron Leader

Hi Charlotte,

I mailed a pdf file that covers your enquiry to the address given in your post.

It has been bounced back to me.

I'm looking at a method to make the research available on line( such as wordpress),

anybody have any ideas?

Paul.

Taglo · Leading Aircraftsman

Try .com for Charlotte's email
Hope you're well Paul.

paulh · Squadron Leader

John,

thanks for the help with address, mail now resent.

I have also added the pdf file to

http://rafgraveley.wordpress.com/

History-35 squadron- losses scroll down for PB366 and click on link.

Paul.

Taglo · Leading Aircraftsman

Gosh! A huge well done on that wordpress site, lovely bit of work on PB366 final take off and crash.
A tribute to some very brave young men who were just doing their bit.

Chris Hall · Aircraftsman 1st Class

Hello All,

I thought you would all be interested to know that The Great Paxton History Society have started fundraising to create a monument to the crew of Lancaster PB 366.

The monument will take the form of a Lancaster sculpture upon a block of natural stone and will be placed close to the crash site. A plaque will give details of all crew members.

Plans have been submitted and passed by Huntingdon District Council.

Donations to help us in our task can be made through the following link:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/graham-james-1?utm_term=6ppX2N4Px

We can be contacted on greatpaxtonhs@yahoo.com

Best Wishes

Chris