Good evening, I am new to this forum as I am researching an aircrew commemorated (though only one buried) in my local churchyard, in order that their memorial - put there by the local aircrew's parents - can be restored as it is degrading badly. They all flew with 1662 HCU and were on a night time cross country/bombing practice when they came to grief on 5 March 1945. They were in a Lancaster I, PD 437 from RAF Blyton.
In order to relate their story so that our local community is aware, I am looking for photographs of them. I know that they can be hard to come by, but I wonder if anyone out there can give me some advice as to likely sources.
They were - Australian 427597 F/S AT Wilson, pilot; RAFVR 1523986 Sgt A Bligh, Pupil Nav; 1602672 Sgt RR Page, pupil Air bomber; 1866600 Sgt FW Ward pupil W/Op; 1883315 Sgt HA Warman, pupil M.U.G; 1893052 (on Court of Inquiry) or 1898052 on CWWG Sgt PE Moore, pupil F/E; R264550 Sgt JH Skinner, pupil R/G - I think he was RCAF.
I have the Court of Inquiry form, and will start an Ancestry family tree - the one I have for Ward has produced nothing, but I am unsure as to where to look for official photos - so if anyone has any ideas, I'd be most grateful.
Hiya Corinne - It would be worth going on the International Bomber Command Centre website - losses.internationalbcc.co.uk. They have many photos of lost aircrew.
Gary, thank you for that - good idea. Even if restoration of the memorial is a non-starter. Would you believe, that as the churchyard where it is situated is still in use, we have to apply to the Diocese for permission - and the statutory court fee for this is - wait for this - £311.20 - public notice of the proposal has to be given. No wonder things are just left to fall down.
