Operation: Emmerich am Rhein, Germany.

Date: 3/4th June 1940

Unit: No.44 Squadron

Type: Handley Page Hampden I

Serial: P1340

Code: KM-?

Base: RAF Waddingron, Lincolnshire

Location: Shotley Point, Orwell Estuary, near Harwich.

Pilot: Sgt. E. J. Spencer Age ? Safe - rescued

Obs: P/O. Reginald William Roots 36202 RAF Age 20. Missing - believed killed

Air/Gnr: Sgt. Albert Gross Kendrew 624417 RAFVR Age 20. Missing - believed killed

Air/Gnr: Sgt. Samuel Patrick Connell 580913 RAF Age ? Missing - believed killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

This aircraft was tasked for a bombing sortie to Emmerich. En-route to target the aircraft collided with a Barrage Balloon near Harwich.

It is believed that the pilot, Sgt Spencer abandoned the stricken machine, he owes his life to Petty Officer B. Driver R.N. who heard his cries for help and dived into the river and found Sgt Spencer clinging to a buoy.

The bodies of his three crew were never recovered from the water or from the wreckage that was trawled up from the docks in the 1980's.

Memorial commissioned by the Felixstowe Dock and Railway Co dedicated to the three missing airmen at the Felixstowe Dock - commissioned in 1999.

P/O. Reginald William Roots. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 10. Son of Claudius William and Florence Irene Roots, of Wellington, Auckland, New Zealand. Although flying as an observer he was a qualified pilot with 316 flying hours logged. This was his 7th operational sortie. Born in England but left and settled in New Zealand at an early age.

Sgt.Albert Gross Kendrew. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 16. Son of Arthur Kendrew, and of Bertha Kendrew, of Blackpool, Lancashire, England.

Sgt. Samuel Patrick Connell. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 12. Son of John F. and Mary Connell, of Drumcondra, Co. Dublin, Republic of Ireland.