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Operation: Musketry 3 (Anti-submarine patrol)
Date: 18th August 1943 (Wednesday)
Unit: 547 Squadron, Coastal Command
Type: Wellington XI
Serial: HZ407
Code: 2V-K
Base: RAF Davidstow Moor, Cornwall
Location: Bay of Biscay
Pilot: Flt.Sgt. John Clarke 1230372 RAFVR Age 21. Missing
Pilot 2: Fg.Off. Noel William Springer 415034 RNZAF Age 22. Missing
Nav: Flt.Sgt. Charles Ross Byers R/127557 RCAF Age 21. Missing
WOp/Air Gnr: Sgt. George Billing Hasdell 1222569 RAFVR Age 33. Missing
Air Gnr: Sgt. Henry James Graham 1029884 RAFVR Age 21. Missing
Air Gnr: Sgt. Granville Smith 1021078 RAFVR Age 21. Missing
We welcome contact from any other relative who are able to contribute information or comments on this page of remembrance.
REASON FOR LOSS:
Took off on anti-submarine patrol from RAF Davidstow Moor, Cornwall at 13.27 hrs.
The aircraft failed to return and no further details are available. The crew are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial (details below
Left: Fg.Off. Noel William Springer. Right: Plt.Off. Colin Nairne.
Left: Runnymede Memorial (archives)
Burial details:
None - all are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial
Flt.Sgt. John Clarke. Panel 135. Son of Frederick and Esther Clarke, of Leigh, Lancashire, husband of Margaret Clarke, of Leigh, Lancashire, England.
(Above right) Fg.Off. Noel William Springer. Panel 198. Son of Ernest Charles and Constance Ella Louise Springer (nee Ricketts), of Wakefield, Nelson, New Zealand. Further information: Born on 23rd Ocober 1920 in Wakefield, New Zealand. He also had a twin sister, Nola Constance. Both attended Wakefield school in 1925. Noel later attended Nelson College 1934-1935. A total 742 hours flying time recorded.
Flt.Sgt. Charles Ross Byers. Panel 135. Born on the 25th September 1921 in Winnipeg. Son of Charles William and Winifred Beatrice (née Goodchild) Byers, of Weston, Ontario, Canada.
Sgt. George Billing Hasdell. Panel 152. Son of Charles Henry and Comfort C. Hasdell, of Northampton, husband of Winifred Louisa Hasdell of Northampton, England.
Sgt. Henry James Graham. Panel 151. Son of William John and Aletta Gertrude Graham, of Portobello, Staffordshire, England.
Sgt. Granville Smith. Panel 165. Son of James and Jessie Smith, of Newton Heath, Manchester, England.
Researched for Keith Springer (relative of Fg.Off. Springer) and dedicated to all relatives of this crew. With thanks to, Keith Springer and family, Errol Martyn - "For Your Tomorrow Vol 2", Chris Goss - "Bloody Biscay", Auckland Museum/Cenotaph , NZ Weekly News, CWGC.
30.04.2020 - Editorial update and addition of Runnymede Panel.
Original upload date unknown
30.04.2020 - Editorial update and addition of Runnymede Panel.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember
them. - Laurence
Binyon
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Last Modified: 21 March 2021, 12:02