Operation: Training

Date: 08th June 1945 (Friday)

Unit: No. 11 Operational Training Unit. 92 Group

Type: Wellington X

Serial: LN690

Code: 'Q'

Base: RAF Westcott, Buckinghamshire

Location: North Sea

Pilot: F/O. Allan Albert Kingsbury NZ/2064 RNZAF Age 24. Missing - believed killed

Nav: Sgt. Colin John Hill Lister 1649530 RAFVR Age 21. Missing - believed killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Peter Ronald James Kingham 1809598 RAFVR Age 19. Missing - believed killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Ronald Frederick Atkins 1894040 RAFVR Age 20. Missing - believed killed

Air/Gnr: Sgt. Geoffrey Charles Henri Lauener 3034709 RAFVR Age19. Missing - believed killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off at around 12:35 hrs on a four hour cross country exercise.

The route planned was Base - York - Flamborough Head - Wells - Gooderstone - Northamton - Base.

They transmitted at 14:05 hrs providing its identity when the signal suddenly broke off with no explanation - a fix was the taken as to the aircrafts position (5410N:0041E), which was about 30 miles east of Flamborough Head. The crew were lost without trace.

From known weather conditions it is thought that perhaps they may have entered Cumulonimbus (1) cloud and then lost control.

(1) Cumulonimbus is a dense, towering vertical cloud, forming from water vapour carried by powerful upward air currents. If observed during a storm, these clouds may be referred to as thunderheads. Cumulonimbus can form alone, in clusters, or along cold front squall lines. These clouds are capable of producing lightning and other dangerous severe weather, such as tornadoes and hailstones.

Burial details:

Sgt. Allan Albert Kingsbury. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 285. Born on the 31st May 1921 at Christchurch, the son of Allan and Anastasia Kingsbury (née Callaghan). Husband of Nola Melville Kingsbury (née Swindell) father of one daughter, of 60 Bletsoe Avenue, Spreydon, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand. Prior to service a teacher for Christchurch Education Board. A total of 371 flying hours logged with 21 solo on the Wellington.

Sgt. Colin John Hill Lister. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 275. Son of Alfred John and Mabel Gertrude Lister, of Norwich, Norfolk, England.

Sgt. Peter Ronald James Kingham. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 275. Son of Leonard and Ethel May Kingham, of Wingfield, Bedfordshire, England.

Sgt. Ronald Frederick Atkins. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 273. Son of Frederick Joseph and Dorothy Alice May Atkins, of Beckenham, Kent, England.

Sgt. Geoffrey Charles Henri Lauener. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 275. Son of C. H. and May Lauener, of Hampton, Middlesex, England.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to the research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Bernard Kingsbury and the Auckland War Memorial Museum, Weekly News of New Zealand, other sources as quoted below:

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: 06 April 2021, 19:45