Operation: Local flying sortie

Date: 11th May 1945 (Friday)

Unit No: 105 (Transport) Operational Training Unit ((T) OTU)

Type: Wellington X

Serial: NC713

Code: 8F:? or I5:?

Base: RAF Bitteswell, Leicestershire

Location: Bitteswell, Leicestershire

Pilot: WO. Frederick William 'Freddie' Duck 591136 RAF Age 24. Killed

Nav: WO. Norman William Wynn 1194206 RAFVR Age 32. Killed

WOp/Air Gnr: WO. Joseph Donald Ormesher 1070646 RAFVR Age 29. Killed

Above left to right: WO. Norman W. Wynn, WO. Joseph D. Ormesher (Courtesy of Nick Dixon)

REASON FOR LOSS:

105 (Transport) Operational Training Unit was formed in order to retrain crews for Transport Command. The unit used mainly Wellington aircraft and with the obvious reduced crew members. Dakota's were more widely used later on to replace the ageing Wellingtons. Even after the end of the war in Europe there was still a need for crew training, as there was the Japanese war still outstanding, for which the RAF were planning to take a direct part.

In August 105 (T) OTU became renamed 1381 Transport Conversion Unit (TCU), a more fitting title as it was then converting experienced crews on to the Dakota. This form of activity continued until 1381 TCU was transferred to Desborough on the 21st of November 1945.

Wellington NC713 had been airborne for 19 minutes on a local flying sortie and it was WO. Freddie Duck's first solo flight on this type of aircraft and at night. After experiencing some problems with the engines he requested an emergency landing and was on its finals to the airfield when he allowed the aircraft to stall.

The Wellington then dived into the ground before he could recover the aircraft and was totally burnt out. The aircraft came down 3 miles South East of the airfield.

Burial details:

WO. Frederick William 'Freddie' Duck. Hull Western Cemetery. Compt. 244. Grave 23647. Born in the 3rd Qtr of 1920 in Sculcoates, Yorkshire East Riding. Son of Alfred and Daisy (née Maplesden) Duck of Hull. Husband to Joan Jane (née Bradley) Duck of Wakefield, Yorkshire, England.

WO. Norman William Wynn. Tettenhall Regis (St. Michael) Churchyard. Grave inscription reads: "AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN AND IN THE MORNING LIGHT WE SHALL ALWAYS REMEMBER". Born on the 6th February 1913 in Wolverhampton, Staffordshire. Son of James and Emma (née Hopkins) Wynn of Finchfield, Wolverhampton, England.

WO. Joseph Donald Ormesher. Ormskirk (SS. Peter and Paul) Churchyard. Grave 327. Born on the 17th May 1915 in Ormskirk, Lancashire. Son of Edward and Margaret (née Seddon (deceased in Sep 1928) Ormesher in Ormskirk, Lancashire, England.

Researched by Kelvin Youngs (Webmaster) for Nick Dixon - nephew of WO. Freddie Duck. With thanks to Colin Cummings - The Price of Peace. (Mar 2018). Thanks to Nick Dixon for the images of WO. Wynn and WO. Ormesher (Mar 2025). Reviewed and updated with new information by Aircrew Remembered (Mar 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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