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.

---

24/25.12.1944 35 Squadron Lancaster III PB366 TL:S Fg Off. Kenyon

Operation: Köln

Date: 24th/25th December 1944 (Sunday/Monday)

Unit No: 35 Squadron

Type: Lancaster III

Serial: PB366

Code: TL:S

Base: RAF Graveley, Cambridgeshire

Location: Paxton, Cambridgeshire

Pilot: Fg Off. Arthur Thomas Kenyon 185554 RAFVR Age 23 Killed

Flt Eng: Sgt. Leonard Williams 1095530 RAFVR Age 23 Killed

Nav: Sgt. Albert Thomas 1652801 RAFVR Age 22. Killed

Bomb Aimer: Flt Sgt. Alec Henry Cousins 1321669 RAFVR Age 21. Killed

WOp/Air Gnr: Flt Sgt. Cecil Leonard Blundell 1602657 RAFVR Age 20. Killed

Air Gnr (Mid Upp): Sgt. Cyril Arthur Winter 1614511 RAFVR Age 23. Killed

Air Gnr (Rear): Sgt. Roy Frederick Arthur Yallop 1356347 RAFVR Age 24. Killed

---

The Great Paxton History Society has launched a campaign to honour this 35 Squadron crew. Relatives are invited to contact us for further information. The memorial will consist of a steel sculpture representing the Lancaster upon a large stone with a plaque giving brief details of the men who died. The stone will stand on a grass mound, surrounded by a low hedge and plants, in Dovecote Lane.

---

Graham James has contacted Aircrew Remembered and informed us that it has been confirmed that the NEW LANCASTER MEMORIAL will be unveiled at 14:00 on Saturday May 7th, 2022 at Great Paxton Holy Trinity Church, Church Lane, Great Paxton St Neots, Cambs, PE19 6RG

This is to commemorate the 7 crewmen of Lancaster III PB366 of 35 Squadron who crashed on the edge of our village on December 24th 1944. The BBMF will provide a Spitfire at the end of the service. We will be joined by members of some of the families of the crew. If anyone wants to make a day of it we have arranged for nearby All Saints Offord church to be open from 9:00. There you can see a stained glass window, and a corner of the church with photos and memorabilia, dedicated to RAF Graveley. Also, the Pathfinders museum at RAF Wyton will be open if sufficient numbers are interested. This will be from 10:00 to 13:00 by appointment only. Please contact Graham James at [email protected] for a request form.

---

REASON FOR LOSS:

On 24th/25th December 1944, Lancaster III PB366 TL:S took off from Graveley, Cambridgeshire at 15:35 hrs on an operation to Cologne. It crashed almost immediately after flying into trees at Paxton, near the airfield at Graveley.

35 Squadron Lancaster taking off from RAF Graveley using FIDO system (courtesy I.W.M.)

FIDO: Fog Investigation and Dispersal Operation (which was sometimes referred to as "Fog Intense Dispersal Operation" or "Fog, Intense Dispersal Of") was a system used for dispersing fog and pea soup fog (dense smog) from an airfield so that aircraft could land safely. The device was developed by Arthur Hartley for British RAF bomber stations, allowing the landing of aircraft returning from raids over Germany in poor visibility by burning fuel in rows on either side of the runway. (courtesy wikipedia)

Sgt. Roy Arthur Yallop was born on the 10th of September 1920 near Ipswich, Suffolk, He enlisted in the RAF in July 1940 serving as a ground gunner/aircraft hand/general duties at Bircham Newton, Langham and nearby decoy sites in North Norfolk until August 1942. He then moved to Talbenny in Pembrokeshire. After volunteering he attended the Aircrew Reception centre in October 1943,15 I.T.W. in November 1943, 2 A.G.S. in January and February 1944 and 21 OTU. (in Wellington JA 532 'D') at Enstone in May 1944 as a rear gunner to Arthur Kenyon’s crew. Their only operation was a nickel drop to Alencon on 7th of July 1944. In August 1944 Roy attended 1666 HCU. (61 Base) at Topcliffe converting to the MkIII Halifax. In October 1944 he joined 102 squadron at Pocklington, after a spell at P.F.F.N.T.U. Warboys, he joined 35 squadron at Graveley on Lancasters.

Above L-R: Fg Off. Kenyon, Sgt. Williams, Flt Sgt. Cousins, Flt Sgt. Blundell, Sgt. Winter and Sgt. Yallop (courtesy Alan Stockley and Barry Wallop via Linda Ibrom)

After surviving as gunner to the Ken Potts crew on the infamous Gremberg daylight raid on the 23rd December 1944, which earned Robert Palmer a posthumous V.C., Roy Yallop was killed the next day with the Kenyon crew after taking off in fog with the aid of FIDO. Sadly his family received the telegram informing them of his death on Christmas morning.

Above L-R: Fg Off. Kenyon, Flt Sgt. Blundell and Sgt. Yallop

His brother, Barry, found the following poem in the back of an Air Raid Spotters notebook belonging to Roy. We have placed it in our Poetry section

Burial details:

Fg Off. Arthur Thomas Kenyon. Prestwich Churchyard (St.Mary). Clough Sec. 3. Row 6. Grave 83. Son of Herbert and Amy Kenyon of Prestwich, Lancashire, England.

Sgt. Leonard Williams. Staveley Cemetery. Sec. K.K. Grave 30. Son of George Frederick and Jane Williams and brother of Edwin, Mary and George Williams of 30 Hartington Cottages, Staveley, Derbyshire, England. Grave inscription reads: "Blessed Are The Pure In Heart; For They Shall See God".

Sgt. Albert Thomas. Yystalyfera Church (St.David) burial ground, LLangiwg, Wales. Husband to Gwenllian Thomas of Ystalyfera, Glamorganshire, Wales.

Flt Sgt. Alec Henry Cousins. Maidenhead Cemetery. Sec. C.C. Row W. Grave 30. Son of Frederick William and Bertha Cousins of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.

Flt Sgt. Cecil Leonard Blundell. Shirley Cemetery (Hollybrook). Sec. M. 12. Grave 41. Son of William Henry and Ruby Selina Ethel Blundell of Shirley, Southampton, England. Grave inscription reads: "Gone From Us But Not Forgotten Never Shall Thy Memory Fade".

Sgt. Cyril Arthur Winter. Hayes and Harlington (Cherry Lane) Cemetery. Son of Frederick J and Elizabeth Ellen of Harlington and husband of Dorothy J Winter of Abingdon, Berkshire, England. Grave inscription reads: "Quem Di Diligunt, Adolescens Moritur. He Whom The Gods Love, Dies Young".

Sgt. Roy Frederick Arthur Yallop. Ipswich Old Cemetery. Sec. C. Div. 31. Grave 63. Son of Frederick Arthur and Rose and brother of Barry Yallop of Ipswich, Suffolk, England. Grave inscription reads: "Resting Where No Shadows Fall".

Researched by Aircrew Remembered, researcher and specialist genealogist Linda Ibrom for relatives of this crew. With thanks to Thanks to Alan Stockley for the photo of Sergeant Leonard Williams and to Barry Yallop for the photographs and information of Sgt. Yallop and the crew. Thanks to Graham James for the information regarding the NEW LANCASTER MEMORIAL (Apr 2022).

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: 12 April 2022, 08:39

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