• Kracker Archive
• Allied Losses
• Archiwum Polish
• Paradie Canadian
• RCAF
• RAAF
• RNZAF
• USA
• Searchable Lists
Operation: Training
Date: 11th May 1944 (Thursday)
Unit: No. 1654 Heavy Conversion Unit (5 Group)
Type: Stirling III
Serial: LJ524
Code: H
Base: RAF Wigsley, Nottinghamshire
Location: Near Harby, Nottinghamshire
Pilot: P/O. Robert Wyndham Dunn AUS/422460 RAAF Age 20. Killed
Fl/Eng: Sgt. E.J. Wild 533689 RAFVR Age ? Injured
Fl/Eng: Sgt. Ernest Arthur Wilmhurst 941200 RAFVR Age 23. Killed
Nav: W/O. Harold Eric Hughes AUS/26382 Age 23. Killed
Air/Bmr: Fl/Sgt. William Joseph Lea AUS/418963 RAAF Age 21. Killed
W/Op/Air/Gnr: Fl/Sgt. Ronald Walter Ely AUS/26355 RAAF Age 28. Killed
Air/Gnr: Fl/Sgt. Geoffrey Roy Whimpey AUS/434299 RAAF Age 23. Injured
Air/Gnr: Fl/Sgt. George Edward Dowling AUS/429881 RAAF Age 20. Injured
REASON FOR LOSS:
The crew were on a long night cross-country exercise. On return the pilot was given permission to land on the 2000 ft runway with a slight cross wind from the port side. The aircraft's port outer engine was feathered. When at aproximatly 20 ft from the ground and after a normal approach the motors were suddenly opened up for an overshoot. The aircraft swung too port and climbed away in a stalled attitude. After returning back through 180 degrees the port wing dropped and the aircraft stalled and crashed at 02:53 hrs.
The air accident report stated that during an attempted 3 engine landing with the port outer engine feathered the aircraft crashed - due to the condition of the engine, the cause was not able to be identified. It is possible also that the incorrect trim was applied.
The accident investigation was headed by 36 year old, Group Captain Roland Eugene de Trevieres Vintras 26127 RAF.
Fl/Sgt. Geoffrey Roy Whimpey was thrown clear in the impact, but despite suffering shock entered the burning aircraft to assist in the removal of bodies of the crew away from the wreckage. Sadly 5 were already beyond medical aid. For his action of courage he received the BEM.
Sadly, just two months later, on Tuesday/Wednesday the 05th July 1944 Fl/Sgt's Whimpey and Dowling were 2 of a crew of 7 killed during an operation to bomb a V1 site at St Leu in France. Lancaster I HK536 JO-B of 463 Squadron flown by 31 year old, F/O. Alfred Kyrwood Carter AUS/421887 of Bullaburra, NSW Australia and is buried with his crew buried at Ellecourt Communal Cemetery.
Airframe total flying hours: 221.3. Port outer engine Hercules XVI total hours run: 20.45, Port inner engine Hercules XVI total hours run: 126.15, Starboard outer engine Hercules XVI total hours run: 230.20, Starboard inner engine Hercules XVI total hours run: 228.45.
Burial details:
The crew buried at Botley were interned on the 16th May 1944 - the service was conducted by the Reverend Gordon Gladstone Wood RAAF. Sadly, the following month he was killed during a V1 attack on London. The bomb hit the Guards Chapel at Wellington Barracks during a service. 121 were killed during the direct hit with a further 141 seriously injured.
P/O. Robert Wyndham Dunn. Oxford Cemetery (Botley) Plot 1/2. Grave 222. Born on the 26th October 1923 at Ipswich, Queensland the son of Robert Armstrong Dunn and Eleanor Irene Dunn, of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Grave inscription reads: "His Duty Nobly Done".
Sgt. Ernest Arthur Wilmhurst. Bottesford Churchyard (St. Peter Ad Vincula). Son of Harry George Alderson Wilmshurst and Violet Wilmshurst, of Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, England. Grave inscription reads: "His Smiling Face And Loving Ways Are Memories That Will Live Always".
Nav: W/O. Harold Eric Hughes. Oxford Cemetery (Botley) Plot 1/2. Grave 224. Born on the 26th September 1920 at Adelaide Couth Australia, the son of Son of Alfred Arthur and Elsie Emma Hughes, of Stepney, South Australia, husband of Jean Hughes, of Stepney, London, England. Grave inscription reads: "Not Just Today But For Always We Will Remember".
Fl/Sgt. William Joseph Lea. Oxford Cemetery (Botley) Plot 1/2. Grave 223. Born on the 05th March 1923 at Richmond, Victoria, the son of Thomas Leonard and Evelyn Lea, of Ivanhoe, Victoria, Australia. Grave inscription reads: "With Love And Pride We Will Always Remember Him".
Fl/Sgt. Ronald Walter Ely. Oxford Cemetery (Botley) Plot 1/2. Grave 225. Born on the 05th March 1916 at Semaphore South Australia, the son of Son of Oscar Ernest and Rhoda Isobel Ely and husband of Lorna Eugene Ely, of Tailem Bend, South Australia. Grave inscription reads: "His Duty Fearlessly And Nobly Done. Ever Remembered".
Later:
Fl/Sgt. Geoffrey Roy Whimpey. BEM. Ellecourt Communal Cemetery. Born on 30th November 1920 at Brunswick, Victoria, the son of Albert Roy and Phyllis Whimpey, of Heidelberg West, Victoria, Australia. Grave inscription reads: "Greater Love Hath No Man Than This...".
Fl/Sgt. George Edward Dowling. Ellecourt Communal Cemetery. Born on the 13th May 1924 at Keswick, South Australia, the son of George Edward and Myrtle Daisy May Dowling, of Port Hughes, South Australia. Grave inscription reads: "His Country Called, "Tich" Answered. He Gave His All".
Reverend Gordon Gladstone Wood. Brookwood Military Cemetery. Grave 4.N.16. Born on the 24th June 1901 the son of Alfred and Janet Wood and husband of Gwendoline Enid Wood, of Beverley Hills, New South Wales, Australia. Father to Grahame Douglas and Enid Narelle. Grave inscription reads: "To Live In Hearts We Leave Behind Is Not To Die".
Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to sources shown below.
KTY - 28.02.2018
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 - 2025
Last Modified: 02 April 2021, 09:54