On the 23rd June 1943 427 Sqdn RCAF Halifax DK141 was intercepted by a german nightfighter and shotdown near the hamlet of Kaathoven/Heeswijk which killed the entire crew exept the Flight Engineer Sgt J.A.Spencer from Medicine Hat,Canada. The crewmembers who died were buried at Breda, and after the war re-buried at Bergen op Zoom war Cemetery. On the 22 June 2013 we will unveil an memorial near the spot where this Halifax crashed and a day previously another Halifax of 158 Sqdn which took the lives of eight crewmembers came down almost at the same spot. Also crew families will attent the unveiling. I am still tracking down families among them
the family of pilot F/Sgt J.D.Hamilton from Kenaston,Canada, Flightengineer Sgt J.A.Spencer from Medicine Hat,Canada and I am still after the family of Sgt N.G.Whiting who was the wireless Operator of DK141. He came from Mansfield in England. Also I am searching for the ORB's of 427 Sqdn in particular for this crew.
Adrian, to me, reading this news today is very exciting, but sadly so late. Alice Hamilton, widowed mother of J. Douglas Hamilton eventually moved from Kenaston, Saskatchewan to Toronto, Ontario, where she passed away some years ago. After the crash, she and my mother corresponded ongoing until Alice's death. I understand that Douglas had no siblings. My mother, Norine Bethel, and Douglas had been friends in Kenaston and I understand that they were engaged when he joined the military about 1941 and she worked as a radio operator for the military in Winnipeg. Later in her life, she told me that she always hoped that he would eventually be found, since the telegram and reports said only that he was missing and presumed dead. Meanwhile, just before moving house about 10 years before her death in 2006, my mother asked me to take several items of Douglas' to do with as I felt appropriate, including several photos, which I have kept, out of respect. So it seems somewhat of a tragic tale. I do so wish that my mother could have learned what you have found and done, but am glad that I have discovered it, for her sake. Thank you for your explorations and sharing what you have found.
I am the Assistant Archivist for 158 Sqn, you can contact me on harleyDOT158ATbigpondDOTcom
Replace the DOT & AT with the usual and Ill see what we have.
Adrian, to me, reading this news today is very exciting, but sadly so late. Alice Hamilton, widowed mother of J. Douglas Hamilton eventually moved from Kenaston, Saskatchewan to Toronto, Ontario, where she passed away some years ago. After the crash, she and my mother corresponded ongoing until Alice's death. I understand that Douglas had no siblings. My mother, Norine Bethel, and Douglas had been friends in Kenaston and I understand that they were engaged when he joined the military about 1941 and she worked as a radio operator for the military in Winnipeg. Later in her life, she told me that she always hoped that he would eventually be found, since the telegram and reports said only that he was missing and presumed dead. Meanwhile, just before moving house about 10 years before her death in 2006, my mother asked me to take several items of Douglas' to do with as I felt appropriate, including several photos, which I have kept, out of respect. So it seems somewhat of a tragic tale. I do so wish that my mother could have learned what you have found and done, but am glad that I have discovered it, for her sake. Thank you for your explorations and sharing what you have found.
Hi Patricia, Would you be so kind to contact me??? I know it's a quite years ago. I must admit that I am not regulary visit this website. I will hope you will contact me soon azantvoort@outlook.com Cheers,Adrian
