Operation: Test flight/training?
Date: 25th June 1944 (Sunday)Unit: 181 Squadron
Type: Typhoon Ib
Serial: MN814
Code: EL-? (Can you assist identification for this code?)
Base: B6. Colombs, France (Also RAF Hurn)
Location: Ringwood, Hampshire
Pilot: F/O. Ernest Emile Hursey 50676 RAF Age 25. Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
During this period 181 Squadron was based at the forward landing zone B6 - at Coulombs, Normandy France, having arrived on the 20th June.
The then Cpl. Ernest Emile Hursey prior to attaining his wings with his wife probably taken around 1941 (courtesy Patricia Meads)
181 Squadron Typhoons (courtesy IWM)
All, but a couple of Typhoons returned to RAF Hurn on the 22nd / 23rd June to have the much needed dust excluders fitted to the aircraft. During the day or so they were away, the base at B.6. was constantly attacked by the Luftwaffe and German artillery.
Note: In December 2014 an aviation researcher, Mr. Brian Sharp (building a model of this Typhoon) informed us that the actual co-ordinates of the loss was 50.051'41.00N 1.053'19.53W - which places it as Sandy Lane area near Three Legged Cross. He also informs us that a recovery group excavated the area sometime in the 70’s. He is keen to try and identify the full Squadron code for this Typhoon if you are able to assist, please contact us.
Above: 181 aircrew in France, June 1944 (courtesy IWM) Below: 'Bombing-up 181 Typhoons (courtesy IWM)
The Royal Ordnance Factory at Rotherwas (courtesy Hereford Record Office)
One of the bombs went through the factory fence and hit the house of the local police inspector and the chap in charge of security at the factory 48 year old Mr. Ernest James Hussey. He was killed, along with his wife Bertha 40, the younger brother of F/O. Hursey, Cpl. 1875001 Ronald Eric Hursey 22, on leave from his Royal Engineers unit in Gibraltar. Sadly, the wife of F/O. Ernest Hursey, Vera (née Carter) Hursey aged 21 also staying at the house, with her mother, Florence. The only survivor in the house was the youngest brother of Ernest, 16 year old Ken Hursey who was at the rear of the police building.In addition some 17 people were also killed at the factory, at the time the night shift was changing over to the day shift.
Some names that we have identified (in addition to the family already listed):
Ernest Henry Chesterman (Home Guard) Age 58, of Bridge House, Wye, Bridge.
Florence Carter Age 47, of 14 Ladycroft Avenue, Hucknall, Nottinghamshire.
Frederick James Dyke Age 47, of 3 Henry Street, Ross-on-Wye.
William Garland MM Age 45, of Vennewood, Bodenham.
Joseph Henry Giles Age 47, of 35 Bath Street, Poplar, London.
Edwin Gwilliam (Home Guard) Age 38, of Yew Tree Cottage, Christchurch Coleford, Gloucestershire.
James John Shine Age 33, of 5 Painters Terrace, Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorgan.
Kathleen Blanche Wheeler Age 31, of 72 Stonebow Road, Hereford.
Burial details:
F/O. Ernest Emile Hursey. Hucknall Cemetery, Sec D. Grave 524. 14 Ladycroft Avenue, Hucknall, Nottinghamshire, England. Husband of the late Vera (née Carter) Hursey.
Researched following the webmaster meeting a relative of the pilot's family at his work. With thanks to Patricia Meads for photographs and further information. Page dedicated to the relatives of the pilot and the family of Vera (née Carter) Hursey. With thanks to the following for assistance/information provided. Hereford Record Office, National Archives Kew - AIR 27/1134. Aircrew Remembered archives. Also many thanks to Linda Lagoe for grave photograph - September 2016. With thanks to Tony Glover for advising us his age at time of loss - December 2017.
RS 06.01.2020 - Correction to christian name for wife of Fg.Off. Hursey
? 09.2016 - Addition of Grave marker photo
? 12.2017 - Age of pilot added
RS 06.01.2020 - Correction to christian name for wife of Fg.Off. Hursey
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember
them. - Laurence
Binyon
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Last Modified: 06 January 2020, 09:50