Operation: Luxembourg (Grand Duchy of Luxembourg)

Date: 10th May 1940 (Friday)

Unit No: 103 Squadron, 1 Group, Advanced Air Striking Force (AASF)

Type: Battle Mk I

Serial: K9372

Code: PM:K

Base: RAF Bétheniville, France

Location: Near Hotton, 9 km (5½ mls) NE of Marche-en-Famenne in Belgium

Pilot: Plt Off. Kenneth John Drabble 40610 RAF Age 20. KiA

Navigator: Sgt. Thomas Daw Smith 580500 RAF Age? KiA

WOp/Air Gnr: LAC. Phillip James Lamble 550831 RAF Age 20. KiA

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off at 13:05 hrs to attack enemy columns near Luxembourg.

After the engine was hit by small arms ground fire, which also hit the coolant tank, the aircraft crashed in flames near Hotton, 9 km (5½ mls) NE of Marche-en-Famenne in Belgium killing the crew.

Above: Wreckage of Battle I K9372 (Courtesy of Michel Beckers)

Above: Wreckage of Battle I K9372 with Grave marker for the crew (Courtesy of Tom Bowen)

Two other aircraft were also lost from the squadron on this operation:

K9264 PM:L - Flt Lt. Maurice C. Wells and his crew became PoWs;
K9270 PM:O - The Pilot Sgt. Charles H. Lowne was captured and his two crew were KiA.

Burial details:

The crew were initially buried at the crash site and then were reinterred at the Mont St. Jean German Cemetery. They were finally laid to rest at the Hotton War Cemetery on the 19th June 1947.

Above the Hotton War Cemetery (Courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission)

Plt Off. Kenneth John Drabble. Hotton War Cemetery IV.C.11. Born during January 1920 in Truro, Cornwall. Son of John and Elsie Elizabeth (née Mitchell) Drabble of Truro, Cornwall, England.

Sgt. Thomas Daw Smith. Hotton War Cemetery IV.C.12. No further Bio-graphical information found for this airman.

LAC. Phillip James Lamble. Hotton War Cemetery IV.C.10. Grave Inscription: “CUT DOWN SO EARLY IN THE MIDST OF STRIFE. ROUNDED COMPLETE BY SACRIFICIAL LOVE”. Born during April 1920 in Pancras London. Son of William Herbert and Lily Lamble of Hendon, Middlesex, England.

Research by Ralph Snape for Aircrew Remembered and dedicated to this crew and their families. Thanks to Tom Bowen the photograph of the crash site with grave marker. (Feb 2025).

Other sources listed below:

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