Sgt H R EastonSgt H R Easton, 08/04/1941 - 07/04/1941. 214 Sqn. Wellington 1c. "Took off Stradishall on operations to Kiel. Lost without trace. All are commemmorated on the Runnymede Memorial".
The crew of R1380 coded BU-?
Sgt R A Williams
Sgt K Manson RNZAF
Sgt R A Chatfield
Sgt R C Plummer
Sgt H R Easton RCAF and
Sgt C H R Mercer
(- all killed).
SOURCE:
Chorley (book 2 - 1941) Ian Hunt
Sqn/Ldr Lucian Brett Ercolani DSO DFC
Sqn/Ldr
Lucian Brett Ercolani DSO DFC, Pilot
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) X3206
See Photo Album 3 for newsclipping on Sqn/Ldr Ercolani and the loss of his
Wellington.
He received his DSO for this mission.
As a result of this mission his father (of Ercol Furniture fame) presented
the Squadron with a carved, wooden Squadron crest, which still exists and
is put on display at the annual reunions.
5 March 1941
- Posted to 21OTU
16 May 1941 - Posted to 214 Squadron
28 January 1942 - Posted to 1483 GF
Travelled by ship to Takoradi
29 November 1942 - Ferry flight across Africa to Cairo, en-route for India.
Now listed as Squadron Leader.
7 December 1942 - New Delhi India
12 December 1942 - Posted to 99 Squadron Digri India as Flight Commander
18 September 1943 - Posted to 355 Squadron Salbani
Ercolani
was well known to Fg/Off Bill Esplen and his wife as both he and his wife
were billeted at the same farm as them.
Lucian Brett, DSO DFC. Peacefully on 13th February 2010, aged 92 after a short
illness. Dearly loved father of Jane, grandfather of Charlotte and James and
great grandfather of Seba and Rosa. The Funeral Service was held at All Saints
Parish Church, High Wycombe on Tuesday, 23rd February at 2.30 pm followed
by a private family burial.
Source
: Simon Esplen and Colin Burningham and W.R. Chorley and Ron Stilwell and
obituary in local newspaper
Date record last updated : 14 March 2010
FS John Joseph Egan
FS
John Joseph Egan, 415126, Royal Australian Air Force, KIA 24 May 1943,
Aged 25
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III MZ261 BU-T
Named on the following Memorial : Australian War Memorial Panel 121
Buried in REICHSWALD
FOREST WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 3. C. 15.
Son of Joseph Michael and Annie Maria Egan, of Victoria Park, Western Australia.
On the 23 May 1943 at 23.15, Stirling MZ261 coded BU-T lifted off from Chedburgh,
in Suffolk on the nights operations. The target for the night was a bombing
raid on Dortmond which included several other 214 squadron aircraft. This
was destined to be their last flight. It is unknown exactly what happened,
possibly flak or a nightfighter, but Stirling MZ261 crashed at Unna about
15km ENE of Dortmund. Initially the crew were buried here but they were
later taken re-interred in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
Source : John Cripps re: http//www.awm.gov.au, Martin Alford nephew of Donald
Alford and CWGC and Geoff Swallow (Australian Researcher)
Date record last updated : 14 February 2010
Sgt Alexander G Elder
Sgt Alexander G Elder, 754780 Pilot. Age 19. Wellington IC N2746 , BU-M took off at 20:00 from Stradishall, Suffolk on a raid to Hamburg on 13 March 1941 ( 13/03/1941 ). The aircraft captained by Sgt. Elder was shot down over the Netherlands by a German nightfighter shortly after 23:00 and crashed near city of Groningen. The nose gunner Sgt Douglas Wilmott Waters survived and became a POW, the rest were KIA. They are buried at the Esserveld cemetery, Groningen. Most are buried in communal graves, some with members of another crew which crashed in the vicinity on the same night.
Crew of N2746 coded BU-M consisted of:
Sgt Alexander G. Elder - pilot
Sgt Victor L Bagley - 2nd pilot
Sgt George C Daniel - air gunner
Sgt Sol Glazer (NZ) - Observer
Sgt John L Tomkinson - wireless operator
Sgt Douglas Wilmott Waters
SOURCE & RESEARCH: Very kindly submitted Stevin Oudshoorn. See Stevin's website for further information on all aircraft lost over the Netherlands.
Sgt Else
Sgt Else,
The crew of R1614, coded BU-? failed to return from operations on the night of July 14, 1941.
P/O Brown
Sgt Collins
Sgt Taylor
Sgt Else
Sgt Hall ??
???
July 14 / 15, 1941 four aircraft R1613, R1614, R1341 and T2913 left Stradishall on operations. Of the four aircraft sent by 214 Squadron this night, two returned to base which ultimately saved them from the disaster that lay ahead. R1341 piloted by P/O Guild returned claiming bad weather and icing conditions and the aircraft would not climb. T2913 piloted by Sgt Gwilliam returned claiming engine trouble. The remaining two R1613 piloted by P/O Crampton and R1614 piloted by P/O Brown continued on to the target but never returned.
SOURCE & RESEARCH: Ian Hunt, extracted from Operations record book, PRO
Fg/Off William Esplen
Fg/Off
William Esplen, 82979, W.OP/Air Gunner Flying Officer. Age 33, Killed
in action on 8th Sept 1941. 08/09/1941 Bill was W/Op aboard Wellington R1784
piloted by W/Cdr G L Cruickshanks DFC when it failed to return from Ops over
Berlin. Bill is buried at the Brandenburg Cemetery in Berlin.
The following was kindly provided to Simon and his family by the indefatigable Jock Whitehouse and Godfrey Moffatt. Quote:
Bill
Esplen was a popular and well-liked member of No 214 Sqn at Stradishail. His
trade was a Wireless Operator/Air-Gunner. In August 1941 South African Wg Cdr G L Cruickshanks DFC (ex-No.9 Squadron) took over command of 214 on the completion of W/C RB “Duck” Jordan’s time as CO. The squadron was active over many targets over this period and on 7/8 September detailed 11 aircraft; part of a force of 197 aircraft including 103 Wellingtons; to attack Berlin.
Squadron Commanders were allowed to fly a limited number of “ops” and the new CO decided to make his first trip with 214 but instead of flying with a normal crew (as captain or second pilot) W/C Cruickshanks got together a “scratch” crew consisting of a number of experienced aircrew; W/C G L Cruickshanks DFC (captain) S/L W Davies (possibly second pilot) aged 44); Flt Lt Keith Falconer DFC (navigator 33); Fg Off Bill Esplen (W/op) (33); and Sgts L T Chapman (27); and A N Page (26) (air-gunners).
F/O Bill Esplen - Stradishall
All with the exception of Sgt Chapman were married and you will see that few were “youngsters” – (no age was given for Wg Cdr).
The raid
was claimed to be successful; although some crews failed to find Berlin. 15
aircrafts were lost including 5 Wellingtons. 214 lost only one.; 214’s
R1784 is reported “shot down” either by flak or night-fighters. All
the six crew are buried together in the Berlin
1939-1945 War Cemetery.
On rare occasions an aircrew could consist of a disproportionate number of officers high ranking or otherwise; and in the RAF; the man sitting in the left-hand (pilot’s) seat was the boss even if an NCO.
I am not sure which was Bill’s regular crew or how many “ops he had flown; but Keith Falconer had actually finished his tour and had no need to fly; but agreed on this one trip with his new CO. Keith was married to a “glamorous” film star and like Bill was a very popular figure. The outgoing CO (W/C Jordan) was greatly upset by the loss as Keith was always his own choice for navigator. (W/C Jordan flew regularly) and he had arranged for Keith to join him as an instructor at the OTU at Bramcote.
W/C Cruickshanks was replaced by W/C Barry McFadden DFC who himself was lost in February 1942 on operations but flying with a regular crew.
Endquote
Above: W/Cdr Cruickshanks and Percy Picard
The two photos above are somewhat of a mystery as to the location and the exact nature of the event. Simon, Bill's grandson explains: The small boy on the left is my father. Standing next to him with his hands on his hips is my grandfather. My grandmother recalled that this was a sports day held to mark the occasion of an officer who had recently been decorated. That officer is second from the left talking to my grandfather. Godfrey Moffatt has supplied me with a photocopy of a photo previously which related to a sports day and indeed my grandmother also had a copy of that photo. (other above) I suspect this is the same event. He advised me that one of the people in that photo was Percy “Picks” Picard of “Target for Tonight”. It may be possible that in fact it was Picard in whose honour the sports day was held. In the group of four photo, Godfrey Moffatt has advised that the gentleman on the left is Picard and the person directly opposite him on the right hand side is Wing Commander Cruickshanks who in fact was captain of the plane in which my grandfather died.
The following crew photographs are of exceptional quality as found in officially sanctioned photographs. While many of the crew are the same in both photos, none have been identified except F/O Esplen who is far right in above photo and third from left in bottom photo. Note in the top photo some sort of steel structure with graphitti on it was used as the backdrop. In the photo below the group is posing in front of what appears to be an Armstrong Whitley Whitworth, such being the case this photo may not be of a 214 group. It is thought 138 squadron were stationed at Stradishall at the same time and they flew Whitleys. As per the wheel chock, the serial of this aircraft starts out K34????? Note also the men who are not suited up in both photos which is rather odd, it is also unknown why the large groups of 10 and 11 men, this can not be a single crew in 1941
If anyone can identify any of those in the photos, please contact Simon or the 214 Site. Also see closeups of these photos in the PHOTO ALBUM section. Simons grandmother had two very interesting newsclippings which can also be seen in the PHOTO ALBUM section.
SOURCE & RESEARCH: Grandson Simon Esplen xxxsimone@russells.co.uk
Sgt N G Etherden
Sgt
N G Etherden, RAF, Shot down in raid on Berlin 01/03/1943 and taken prisoner.
Crew were:
F/S J.M. Lyall prisoner RCAF
Sgt N.G. Etherden prisoner RAF
F/O B.F.R Hotson killed RNZAF
Sgt D.B Scoble prisoner RNZAF
Sgt R.H Thom prisoner RNZAF
Sgt J.G Jack prisoner RAF
Sgt J.G Powell prisoner RAF
Sgt Evans
Sgt
Evans, Rear Gunner
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) N2776 BU-G
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) N2776 (pre September 1940)
BU-G
After completing operational training, Hargest, Evans and George Steven who
had become good friends, narrowly escaped fate when they were posted to a
squadron based in Newmarket - the horse racing track. The day before they
arrived the squadron had lost six of their eight planes (shot down) and all
six crews perished. Since there were no aircraft left the three were then
posted on to 214 Sqdn at Stradishall and operations.
Sergeant Evans was rear gunner in Flying Officer John Leighton Beck's crew
and in Pilot Officer Maurice Hartford's crew in 214 Squadron in the second
half of 1940. When the rest of his crew was posted to Malta, he chose to remain
in England although George Steven (the crew's other gunner) thought Evans
was later posted to the Far East.
Source
: Christopher Jary (author of "Portrait of a bomber pilot")
Date record last updated : 11 April 2009
Sgt
C T Enright
Fg/Off
Hugh Terence Etienne
Fg/Off
Hugh Terence Etienne,
129058, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom.
KIA 5 March 1943 aged 21.
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mk3 BK662 BU-K
Son of Auguste and Rosetta Etienne, of Castries, St. Lucia, West Indies.
Named on the RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL. Panel 124.
Source
: Nightjar
Newsletter and CWGC.
Sgt
M (Jinx) Elelman, Rear gunner.
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) ??Leyshon
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington MK1C T2841 BU-K
He survived the war but died some years ago. His widow Mrs H Elelman was
an early member of the Squadron Association.
Source : Aled
Leyshon (grandson of Mervyn Leyshon) and Nightjar Newsletter
Date record last updated : 2 October 2009
Sgt
John James Evans
Sgt John James Evans, 619407, Royal Air Force, Nationality
: United Kingdom
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III EF409 BU-V
Named on the following Memorial : Runnymede Memorial Panel 149.
Source : CWGC
Date record last updated : 11 February 2008
Plt/Off
John Wesley Evans
Plt/Off
John Wesley Evans, J/18037, Royal Canadian Air Force, Nationality
: Canadian, KIA 24 May 1943, Aged 22
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BF478 BU-G
Named on the following Memorial : Runnymede Memorial Panel 175
Son of Alfred Ethelbert Evans and Minnie Evans, of Richlea, Saskatchewan,
Canada.
Source : CWGC
and Nightjar Newsletter Summer/Autumn 2003.
Date record last updated : 18 February 2008
Sgt
Andrew Paton Everett
Sgt
Andrew Paton Everett, 979937, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner, Royal
Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 15 February
1942, Aged 26
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C Z1081 BU-B
Buried in FLUSHING
(VLISSINGEN) NORTHERN CEMETERY. Reference : Row B. Grave 22.
Son of William C. and Nellie B. Everett, of Glasgow.
CWGC states death date 3 days after loss of aircraft?
Source : CWGC
and Nightjar Newsletter Winter / Spring 2005
Date record last updated : 21 February 2008
Dennis
Edwards
Dennis
Edwards
Named on a photograph of 214 Squadron members at Brackla, January 1945
- see Album 4
Brackla
near Nairn in Invernesshire. It was the hutted camp of ACAC, Air Crew
Allocation Centre, a clearing house for tour expired aircrew. In spite
of heavy losses, far more had survived than could be used for further
flying duties and it was quite a problem finding suitable niches for all.
Source
: Gerhard Heilig
Date record last updated : 7 March 2008
Sgt
W S Edington
Sgt
W S Edington, Air Gunner
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) Z8900
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) Z8900 (15 November
1941)
Sgt Edington was flying as part of a crew in 214 Squadron from November
1941 until January 1942.
On 19 January 1942 he was posted 99 Squadron.
On 23 February 1942 he was posted to Portreath from Waterbeach.
On 26 February 1942 he was posted from Portreath direct to Malta, en-rote
to to ME fro 99 Squadron in India, being seconded to 215 Squadron, on
arrival, until rejoining 99 Squadron in Oct 1942 until at least 1943.
Source : Colin
Burningham and W.R.Chorley
Date record last updated : 4 October 2009
'Kiwi'
Evans
'Kiwi'
Evans, Navigator
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress (model unknown) ??Bettles BU-?
Source : Donald
MacGilchrist
Date record last updated : 19 September 2008
Sgt
Arthur Evans
Sgt
Arthur Evans, 1106238, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner, Royal Air Force
Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 7 July 1941, Aged
21
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C T2992 (7 July 1941) BU-J
Buried in AS
COMMUNAL CEMETERY. Reference : Grave 2
Son of William John and Margaret Alice Evans, of Rhyl, Flintshire.
Source : CWGC
and grave photograph by Ivo Swinnen of As, Belgium
Date record last updated : 2 October 2009
FS
William John Elder
FS
William John Elder, R/65845, Royal Canadian Air Force, Nationality
: Canadian, KIA 15 January 1942, Aged 20
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) R1759 BU-L
Named on the following Memorial : Runnymede Memorial Panel 103.
Born in Toronto Canada
After his aircraft crashed into the North Sea off Whitby Yorkshire, his
body was never recovered.
Source : CWGC
and Richard Allenby - www.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk
Date record last updated : 9 March 2009
Sqn/Ldr
Frank Leslie Herbert Eddison DFC
Sqn/Ldr
Frank Leslie Herbert Eddison DFC, 39377, Co-pilot, Royal Air Force
Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 9 May 1941, Aged
30
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) ??Eddison
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) N2776 (21 December 1940)
BU-G
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) N2778 (29 November 1940)
BU-R
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R1226 BU-L
Buried in BERGEN-OP-ZOOM
WAR CEMETERY. Reference : Coll Grave 32. C. 2.
Son of W. H. and Marion Eddison; husband of Jill Eddison.
London Gazette Issue 34369 published on the 9 February 1937.
He was granted a short service commission as Acting Pilot Officer on probation
with effect from and with seniority of the dates stated:
25th Jan. 1937.
London Gazette Issue 34457 published on the 23 November 1937
Acting Pilot Officer on probation is confirmed in the appointment and
graded as Pilot Officer 16th Nov. 1937
London Gazette Issue 34996 published on the 19 November 1940.
Flying Officer promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant 3rd Sept. 1940
Flt/Lt Eddison was promoted to Squadron Leader with 218 Squadron
Source : CWGC
and Nightjar Newsletter Summer / Autumn 2005 and Ian Hunt and Aled Leyson
(grandson of Mervyn Leyshon)
Date record last updated : 2 October 2009
Sgt
Elder
Sgt
Elder, Co-pilot
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) T2708 (29 November 1940)
BU-N
Source : Ian
Hunt
Date record last updated : 11 April 2009
Sgt
Edgar Louis Eaglen
Sgt
Edgar Louis Eaglen, 629071, Flight Engineer, Royal Air Force, Nationality
: United Kingdom, KIA 12 March 1943, Aged 23
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BF469 BU-M
Buried in CHALONS-EN-CHAMPAGNE
EAST COMMUNAL CEMETERY. Reference : Sec. I. Coll. grave 1591.
Son of A. Eaglen and Dulcie Eaglen, of Saham Toney, Norfolk; husband of
V. Eaglen, of Holme Hale, Norfolk.
Source : CWGC
and Nightjar Newsletter Spring 2004
Date record last updated : 27 June 2009
Sgt
Irvine Leonard Eagleton
Sgt
Irvine Leonard Eagleton, 923470, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner, Royal
Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 2 April
1942
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C Z8979 BU-P
Buried in REICHSWALD
FOREST WAR CEMETERY. Reference : Coll. grave 9. A. 3-6.
Source : Ian
Hunt and CWGC
Date record last updated : 23 August 2009
Sgt
Evans
Sgt
Evans, Co-pilot
Occasional Co-Pilot with Crew ??Leyshon
Source : Aled
Leyshon (grandson of Mervyn Leyshon)
Date record last updated : 2 October 2009
FS
Edward Hamilton Erby
FS
Edward Hamilton Erby, 1287615, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve,
Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 1 April 1942, Aged 32
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C X9939 BU-E
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C Z8842 BU-?
Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 74
Son of William Henry and Gertrude Adela Erby, of Brighton, Sussex.
Source : Chorley
and CWGC
Date record last updated : 29 December 2009
Sgt
Albert Frederick Mons Emms
Sgt
Albert Frederick Mons Emms, 1376234, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner,
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 26
March 1942, Aged 27
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C Z1143 BU-?
Buried in VRIEZENVEEN
GENERAL CEMETERY. Reference : Coll. grave 1-6.
Son of Frederick and Sarah Emms; husband of Phyllis Mary Emms, of Welling,
Kent.
Source : CWGC
and Hans J. Kobes, Vriezenveen (NL) and John Cripps
Date record last updated : 29 December 2009
Sgt
Vernon Ernest Egan
Sgt Vernon Ernest Egan, 1092735, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer
Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 16 April 1942
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) Z8951 BU-X
Buried in EINDHOVEN
(WOENSEL) GENERAL CEMETERY. Reference : Plot JJ. Coll. grave 54-56.
Source : Adrian
van Zantvoort and Chorley and CWGC
Date record last updated : 1 January 2010
Sgt Spencer Charles George 'Charlie' Edwards
Sgt
Spencer Charles George 'Charlie' Edwards, Mid Upper Gunner
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress (model unknown) HB780 (6 November
1944) BU-C
Source : Stephen
Roberts and Ian Hunt
Date record last updated : 6 January 2010
Flt/Lt Sylvester Joseph Eddy DFC
Flt/Lt
Sylvester Joseph Eddy DFC, 408643, Royal Australian Air Force, Nationality
: Australian
Past student of St Joseph's College Melbourne, Australia.
DFC listed in the London Gazette Issue 36480 published on the 18 April
1944.
Source : Christopher
Talbot and London Gazette
Date record last updated : 29 May 2010
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