AR banner
Search Tips Advanced Search
Back to Top

• Kracker Archive
• Allied Losses
• Archiwum Polish
• Paradie Canadian
• RCAF
• RAAF
• RNZAF
• USA
• Searchable Lists

Info LogoAdd to or correct this story with a few clicks.
Archive Report: Allied Forces

Compiled from official National Archive and Service sources, contemporary press reports, personal logbooks, diaries and correspondence, reference books, other sources, and interviews.
Check our Research databases: Database List
.
We seek additional information and photographs. Please contact us via the Helpdesk.
Bomber Command Crest
30.07.1944 1656 Heavy Conversion Unit Halifax II BB261 Plt Off Collins

Operation: Training

Date: 30th July 1944 (Sunday)

Unit: 1656 Heavy Conversion Unit (HCU)

Type: Halifax II

Serial: BB261

Code: Not known

Base: RAF Lindholme

Location: Hatfield Woodhouse

Pilot: Plt Off. Gilson Edmund Collins 177516 RAFVR Age 21. Killed

Flt Eng: Sgt. Robert John Neeson 1325312 RAFVR Age 27. Killed

Nav: Sgt. Harold Jones 1397694 RAFVR Age 28 Killed

Bom Aimer: Sgt. Norman Leslie Skidmore 1684303 RAFVR Age 29. Killed

WOp/Air Gnr: Sgt. T.W. Jones RAFVR Survived - injured

Air Gnr: Sgt. George Francis Peter McCarthy 1893589 RAFVR Age 19. Killed

Air Gnr: Sgt. L. Marshall RAFVR Survived - injured

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off at 02:24 hrs on a night circuit training exercise. During take off for the second time the Halifax flew into adverse weather conditions described as “a swirl of mist” Shortly afterwards the aircraft crashed at 02:28 hrs at Hatfield Woodhouse - as shown on the map. Two gunners survived the crash injured.

Burial details:

Plt Off. Gilson Edmund Collins. Redhill Cemetery (Redstone) Plot E. Grave 3538. Son of Joseph and Gladys Emily Collins, husband of Hannah Collins, of Canton, Cardiff, Wales.

Sgt. Robert John Neeson. Glasgow Cemetery (Lambhill) Sec. R. Grave 608. Son of Robert and Jean Neeson, of Glasgow, Scotland.

Sgt. Harold Jones. Holyhead Burial Board Cemetery (Maeshyfryd) Sec. 2. Grave 768. Born in 1916. Husband of S. Jones, of Clapham, London, England.

Sgt. Norman Leslie Skidmore. Carnoustie Cemetery (Shanwell) Sec A. Grave 85. Son of Harry and Hannah Skidmore, husband of Constance Douglas Skidmore, of Carnoustie, Scotland.

Sgt. George Francis Peter McCarthy. Hatfield Cemetery (Woodhouse) Row EE. Grave 22. Born in 1925. No further details - are you able to assist?

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to Barry Jameson for bringing this loss to our attention. Thanks to Gerry Jones, the son of Sgt. Harold Jones, for his age. (Apr 2021).

RS 22.04.2021 - Update to details for Sgt. Harold Jones

Pages of Outstanding Interest
History Airborne Forces •  Soviet Night Witches •  Bomber Command Memories •  Abbreviations •  Gardening Codenames
CWGC: Your Relative's Grave Explained •  USA Flygirls •  Axis Awards Descriptions •  'Lack Of Moral Fibre'
Concept of Colonial Discrimination  •  Unauthorised First Long Range Mustang Attack
RAAF Bomb Aimer Evades with Maquis •  SOE Heroine Nancy Wake •  Fane: Motor Racing PRU Legend
Acknowledgements
Sources used by us in compiling Archive Reports include: Bill Chorley - 'Bomber Command Losses Vols. 1-9, plus ongoing revisions', Dr. Theo E.W. Boiten and Mr. Roderick J. Mackenzie - 'Nightfighter War Diaries Vols. 1 and 2', Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt - 'Bomber Command War Diaries', Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Tom Kracker - Kracker Luftwaffe Archives, Michel Beckers, Major Fred Paradie (RCAF) and MWO François Dutil (RCAF) - Paradie Archive (on this site), Jean Schadskaje, Major Jack O'Connor USAF (Retd.), Robert Gretzyngier, Wojtek Matusiak, Waldemar Wójcik and Józef Zieliński - 'Ku Czci Połeglyçh Lotnikow 1939-1945', Archiwum - Polish Air Force Archive (on this site), Anna Krzystek, Tadeusz Krzystek - 'Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii', Franek Grabowski, Norman L.R. Franks 'Fighter Command Losses', Stan D. Bishop, John A. Hey MBE, Gerrie Franken and Maco Cillessen - Losses of the US 8th and 9th Air Forces, Vols 1-6, Dr. Theo E.W. Boiton - Nachtjagd Combat Archives, Vols 1-13. Aircrew Remembered Databases and our own archives. We are grateful for the support and encouragement of CWGC, UK Imperial War Museum, Australian War Memorial, Australian National Archives, New Zealand National Archives, UK National Archives and Fold3 and countless dedicated friends and researchers across the world.
Click any image to enlarge it

 Click to add your info via ticket on Helpdesk •Click to let us know via ticket on Helpdesk• Click to buy research books from Amazon •Click to explore the entire site
If you would like to comment on this page, please do so via our Helpdesk. Use the Submit a Ticket option to send your comments. After review, our Editors will publish your comment below with your first name, but not your email address.

A word from the Editor: your contribution is important. We welcome your comments and information. Thanks in advance.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
All site material (except as noted elsewhere) is owned or managed by Aircrew Remembered and should not be used without prior permission.
© Aircrew Remembered 2012 - 2024 Last Modified: 22 April 2021, 11:34

Monitor Additions/Changes?Click to be informed of changes to this page. Create account for first monitor only, thereafter very fast. Click to close without creating monitor