Operation: Aircraft delivery - Gibralter

Date: 13/14th July 1941 (Sunday/Monday)

Unit: No. OADU. (Overseas Aircraft Delivery Unit)

Type: Wellington IC

Serial: Z8780

Base: RAF Portreath, Cornwall

Location: Atlantic Ocean off Esposende, Portugal

Pilot: Sgt. Derek Cecil Haynes 923871 RAF Age 19. Killed

Pilot 2: Sgt. William Bernard Oakes 546317 RAF Age 21. Killed

Air/Bmr: Sgt. Trevor Vaughan Davies 990743 RAF Age 20. Killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Colin James Dixon 1106166 RAF Age 20. Killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Stephen Thomas McNeill R/65516 RCAF Age 20. Killed

Air/Gnr: Sgt. Henry Gerald Peel R/65821 RCAF Age 23. Killed

We would like to appeal for anyone who actually did witness the crash or know the people who bravely went to try and rescue the crew in hazardous circumstance to contact us and we will then place them in contact with the relatives via Carlos Guerreiro.

REASON FOR LOSS:

On the afternoon of 13th July 1941 on route to Gibralter the complete crew were lost when the Wellington crashed into the sea opposite Fão, near Esposende, in the North part of Portugal (see map). Some reports state that it was caused by an engine fire and others that it was due to bad weather.

Newspaper reports from the area say that the accident happened at 14:30 hours and the weather was cloudy and rainy. The sea was choppy, but from here on the versions change:

Some of the newspapers wrote that people heard an aircraft and that it appeared to be looking for somewhere to land and then saw the explosion as the aircraft hit the sea.

Others report that people heard an explosion and the aircraft leaving a trail of black smoke prior to the aircraft hitting the sea. Yet another report is that people saw the aircraft raise its nose and then plunged into the sea, exploding on impact.

The aircraft hit the sea between 100 -300 metres from the shore. Fuel along with debris was seen to release large black columns of smoke.

Almost straight away a group of local fishermen launched a small boat to try and save any crew members, despite the rough seas at the time. Julio Vilela da Silva, António Herdeiro and Joaquim Soares crewed the boat with local volunteer firemen Mr. Figueira Gonçalves. No crew were found but they recovered two parachutes, a dingy and a raincoat. Later part of the undercarriage was also recovered.

The tug 'Teixeira de Queiroz' and a lifeboat were also called upon to assist in any possible rescue or recovery of the bodies.

The following morning one body was found on the beach which was taken to the fire brigades house in Esposende and identified as one of the wireless operators. Also discovered were many pieces of debris as well as many packets of mail with addresses to Malta. As reported by the 'Jornal de Notícias' newspaper.

Nothing further was printed in the papers until the 19th, when they reported that the last bodies of the crew had been recovered and that a funeral was to be held that afternoon.

The English community of Oporto closed shops and along with hundreds of locals attended the service.

The bodies were placed in a single coffin and carried by British veterans of WW1 - flanked with an honour guard from the Portuguese 3rd Machine Gun company. A full military funeral was held and the grave covered in hundreds of flowers. A newspaper 'Primeiro de Janeiro' reported that and English lady was obviously overcome with grief but she soon recovered and held the V for victory with her fingers.

Burial details:

Sgt. Derek Cecil Haynes. Oporto British Churchyard (St. James), Portugal. Plot 1. Coll. Grave 774. Son of Lt/Col. C. C. Haynes and of S. K. Haynes (nee Walker), of Exeter, England.

Sgt. William Bernard Oakes. Oporto British Churchyard (St. James), Portugal. Plot 1. Coll. Grave 774. Son of William Henry and Julia Ellen Oakes, of Pye Green, Hednesford, Staffordshire, England.

Sgt. Trevor Vaughan Davies. Oporto British Churchyard (St. James), Portugal. Plot 1. Coll. Grave 774. Son of Frederick May Hugh and Evelyn Davies, of Huyton, Liverpool, England.

Sgt. Stephen Thomas McNeill. Oporto British Churchyard (St. James), Portugal. Plot 1. Coll. Grave 774. From Kenilworth, Ontario, Canada, n.o.k details currently unknown.

Sgt. Henry Gerald Peel. Oporto British Churchyard (St. James), Portugal. Plot 1. Coll. Grave 774. Son of C. Newton Peel and Hazel Peel, of Cannington, Ontario, Canada.

Published for Carlos Guerreiro on behalf of relatives of this crew, Ian and Michael Garth, Fred and Ian Oakes. In the hope that further information can be found regarding this loss and any other relatives can be contacted.

With thanks to Carlos Guerreiro for information, the photographs contributed by Ian Garth. for further information, Les Allison and Harry Hayward - "They Shall Grow Not Old", David Gunby and Pelham Temple - "Bomber Losses Middle East and Mediterranean Vol. 1" and the Commonwealth Graves Commission. Also to the "Birds Of Iron" for grave photographs.

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 - 2026 Last Modified: 24 December 2024, 20:20