What about the others?

Thousands of pages are written about aircrew lost during the war - there are thousands more who were killed during training accidents, thousands who died or were killed during the same period. Yet very little is written about these.

All played a vital part and deserve some form of recognition. Sadly too much work for the few volunteers at Aircrew Remembered to research - but all relatives who contact us with such a story we do our best to create something to remember just a few.

This is one such case:

LAC. Frederick Samuel Carter 333497 attached to 83 Group Royal Air Force - not aircrew, not killed during a training accident but, all the same, died during active service.

His wife, at the time, was pregnant with Ann, late during the pregnancy she became ill and requested that her husband be allowed home.

The story goes that this was permitted and so LAC Carter left on a transport aircraft to come home on Saturday, the 04th November 1944. During a scheduled refuelling stop the passengers and crew left the aircraft. Someone then remarked: “Where’s Fred?” As no one had seen him leave the aircraft.

A colleague returned and found Fred, seemingly asleep - he touched him and called his name - he never replied. LAC. Frederick Samuel Carter had died. His daughter, Ann was born just four weeks later!

He was buried at the Schoonselhof Cemetery in grave III.E.23. at Antwerp, Belgium. (Also known as Antwerpen Schoonselhof Communal Cemetery)

His Granddaughter, Karen Stenning completed the story:

"Frederick Samuel Carter Leading Aircraft Man 1st Class then 2nd Class.

Born: Thursday,13th December 1900 in Dudley, West Midalnds. Died: Tuesday, 4th November 1944 - Coronary Thrombosis.

Member of 83rd group RAF Maintenance HQ Trade Aircraft Hand General Duties.

83rd group Tactical Air force formed to provide fighter support from Normandy D Day onwards, it contained units to maintain support and supply to fighters of 122 wing. 83rd group travelled from 6.6.1944 from Maltgrgny, Saliane, Beavis Tournice, Belgium, Grimblergan, Belgium, Bokek Holland, Gock Germany, Sassberg Germany, Slenfberg Germany, Holstein Germany, Copenhagen then home. Most of 83rd group during November 1944 were stationed in Holland.

Above L - R: Fred and May (selfie), Fred 2nd from right.

Fred and Mary met in London. Fred was 39 when he married my nan Mary Coulson Purvis on the 28th August 1939. So they didn't have long together as Husband and wife before he went off to war and sadly later died of what we believe to be a coronary thrombosis. And Nan was born 22nd February in Hetton Le Hole, County Durham.

Above L-R: Auntie Gertie, Elsie, Mary, Linda and Ann, Linda and Ann outside Auntie Elsie's Grovenor Hotel Preston Paignton, John and his friend Leslie.

They had 5 children - Richard, Stanley, John who sadly died aged 5, Linda and Ann. They lived at 52 College Road, Cheshunt, Hertforshire. Nan was working in London in service for a Jewish family she hated it and ran away several times but was always sent back (by who I don't know)

Above: L-R: Mary, Mary with John, Ann.

Fred had sisters Enid, Gertie and Elsie. Elsie owned the Grovenor hotel which is now the Ship Inn in Preston, Paignton and she persuaded Nan to move to the area so that she could help her with the children. Nan did move to a little cottage in Galmpton which had no running water no electricity but with the help of family she brought up her children there and I know Mum has many happy memories of that little cottage."

Left: The Cottage at Galmpton.

Remembered by his daughter Ann and all her family - January 2017 and forever.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
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