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Post Info TOPIC: Memorial in Vendee to the crew of 35 Squadron Halifax L9527
df94d


Leading Aircraftsman

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Memorial in Vendee to the crew of 35 Squadron Halifax L9527
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A retired RAF Officer living in Vendée I was privileged to lay a commemorative Roundel on behalf of the RAF Association at a ceremony in Angles Cemetery on 24 July 2015, on the graves of 5 of the crew. This was part of a ceremony led by the Mayor of Angles in the presence of about 40 villagers. Three other wreaths were laid, the party being led in and out of the Cemetery by a Breton dressed in a 51st HD uniform of WW2. He played most movingly. The crew were:

F/Sgt (Pilot) Clarence A. GODWIN - 745859;
Sgt (Pilot) Greville ESNOUF - 929408;
Sgt (Flt Eng) Conrad H. NEWSTEAD - 567204;
Sgt (WOp) Reginald T. RUDLIN - 912084, and
F/Sgt (Airgunner) Sidney H.J. SHIRLEY - 804422.
Two crew members were taken into captivity:
P/O (Nav) Arthur G. EPERON - 84713 (NCO nr 759159), and
Sgt (Airbomber) Eric O.T. BALCOMB - 968379. Eric Balcomb retained links with the village and at his express request his ashes were strewn on the graves of his colleagues.

The village plans a significant ceremony on 24 July 2016 to mark the 75th anniversary of this event which clearly lives on in the culture of the village. If any descendants of any of the crew were interested in being present next year they would be assured of a warm welcome and hospitality.

If any Forum member has contact with any descendants, please pass on the information. I am happy to act as a bi-lingual go-between and may be contacted through this excellent WebPage



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df94d


Leading Aircraftsman

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Further to the post above, I am delighted to say that I have been able to make contact with relatives of P/O, later Flt Lt, Eperon and Sgt Esnouf and am close to making contact with relatives of Sgt Balcombe. I have also found, despite indications based on NoK residence that Sgt Newstead was from Edinburgh, he was in fact from Dundee and is listed on the Roll of Honour there. I am hoping an appeal in the local press there may yield something. But I am drawing blanks on the others - so would appreciate any leads.

Also, the Angles modelling club want to make a scale model of L9527 which I have seen described as a Mark 1 but am unclear on the Series. Can any expert out there help me with the dimensions of this airframe?

Thanks in advance
David Forsyth



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df94d


Leading Aircraftsman

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Stop Press Am close now to finding relatives of Sgt Rudlin

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PeteT


Wing Commander

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David

I am glad to hear you are making progress regarding contacting the relatives of the crew.

I have L9527 listed as MK I Series I from Contract 692649/37. What dimensions are you looking for?

Regards

PeteT



-- Edited by PeteT on Monday 16th of November 2015 10:26:35 AM

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Researching:

- CA Butler and the loss of Lancaster ME334

- Aircrew Training WWII (Basic / Trade / Operational)

- No. 35 Squadron [From Thetford to Scampton]

 

[Always looking for COPIES of original documents / photographs etc relating to these subjects]
paulh


Squadron Leader

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Forum members might like to read the ORB extract for the mission.

Daylight raid on 24/7/1941

L9527. (M) F/Sgt Godwin
Sgt Esnouf
P/O Eperon
Sgt Rudlin
Sgt Balcomb
F/Sgt Shirley
Sgt Newstead
Take off 10.40

Took off from STANTON HARCOURT at the time stated, joined up with section and leader, and proceeded to LA ROCHELLE. This aircraft was last seen in the target area descending in a slow spiral with smoke coming from one or two of its engines. It failed to return and is official reported Missing


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picture is my late father in about 1945

research findings at www.fltherod.wordpress.com
df94d


Leading Aircraftsman

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Thanks Pete.
The Aeromodelling Club at Angles want to make a scale model so I guess they need as many dimensions as possible plus a photograph Have you a reference they can access
Cheers
David

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df94d


Leading Aircraftsman

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Thans Paul. Helpful and interesting. They were in fact based t Linton-on-Ouse and deployed the previous day to Stanton, presumably because the maximum fuel load would not allow a return trip Linton to La Rochelle



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MikeH


Air Vice Marshall

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Hi David,

the following technical data maybe of interest.

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/hphalifax/tech-571.htm

 

Regards,

Mike H



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df94d


Leading Aircraftsman

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Many thanks, Mike. I shall do the metric conversions and pass it on to my French colleagues

Best Wishes

David



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PeteT


Wing Commander

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David

It may be worth seeking information from one of the modelling sites / forums as they may have scale drawings which you could utilise. The Handley Page Halifax forum (or the Handley Page Community on Facebook) may also be able to help.

Regards

Pete

__________________

Researching:

- CA Butler and the loss of Lancaster ME334

- Aircrew Training WWII (Basic / Trade / Operational)

- No. 35 Squadron [From Thetford to Scampton]

 

[Always looking for COPIES of original documents / photographs etc relating to these subjects]
df94d


Leading Aircraftsman

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Good idea, thanks, Pete
David

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Anonymous

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I am a great-nephew of Conrad Newstead and my mother had spotted the article in the Dundee Courier.  I had e-mailed the paper with my e-mail address but, having Googled and found the post, I thought that another route was sensible.  You can contact me using ndowie@btinternet.com. Norman Dowie



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pjcurt


Aircraftsman 1st Class

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I like Norman am also a great-nephew of Conrad Newstead. My father and myself are planning to attend on 24th July with our wife's. I can be contacted at pcurt@fft.co.uk and my father at john@curt.me.uk. Any information about the event would be great. Peter Curt

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