• Kracker Archive
• Allied Losses
• Archiwum Polish
• Paradie Canadian
• RCAF
• RAAF
• RNZAF
• USA
• Searchable Lists
Operation: Training
Date: 21st September 1943 (Tuesday)
Unit: No. 13 OTU (Operational Training Unit)
Type: B.25 Mitchell
Serial: FL193
Base: RAF Finmere
Location: Steeple Claydon, Buckinghamshire
Pilot: F/O. John Ledgerwood AUS/421863 RAAF Age 21. Killed
Nav: P/O. Andrew Goodwin Olson J/25058 RCAF Age 20. Killed (1)
W/Op/Air/Gnr: Fl/Sgt. Eric George Bailey AUS/422375 RAAF Age 25. Killed
Air/Gnr: Sgt. Michael Justin Tymms AUS/422324 RAAF Age 19. Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
This aircraft took off from its base at RAF Finmere on a Training Flight.
Exact details unknown, believed to have lost power on take-off and travelled some 5 miles south east of the airfield at tree top height, before crashing in fields near Steeple Claydon.
Left: F/O. John Ledgerwood Right: Fl/Sgt. Eric George Bailey
Left: L-R, P/O. Olson, Flt/Sgt. Bailey, F/O. Ledgerwood, Sgt. Tymms. Right: Fl/Sgt. Eric George Bailey
Crew funeral at Botley Cemetery
Norman White, Pat Butler and the dedicated Committee of the Steeple Claydon Remembrance Garden Group and the the people of Steeple Claydon opened a wonderful remembrance garden in September 2018. They are also planning to place a plaque to the crew within the garden. (courtesy Jacquie Cronshaw)
Burial Details:
F/O. John Ledgerwood. Oxford Cemetery (Botley). Plot I/2. Grave 70. Born on the 24th August 1922 at Burwood, New South Wales, the son of James Francis and Constance Irene Ledgerwood, of Griffith, New South Wales, Australia. Prior to service studied as a medial student at Sydney University. Enlisted on the 28th March 1942 in Sydney, Australia. Wings awarded on the 19th March 1943. Trained on Tiger Moths, Cessna Crane and the Ventura aircraft.
P/O. Andrew Goodwin Olson. Oxford Cemetery (Botley). Plot I/2. Grave 71. Born on the 05th June 1923 at Pense, Canada, the son of Andrew and Selma Victoria (née Anderson) Olson, of Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada. Prior to service worked as a clerk at the University of Saskatchewan. Enlisted on the 24th April 1942. Grave inscription reads: "To Live In The Hearts Of Those We Love Is Not To Die".
Fl/Sgt. Eric George Bailey. Oxford Cemetery (Botley). Plot I/2. Grave 72. Born on the 23rd December 1917 at Grafton, New South Wales, the son of William and Sarah Bailey, of 146 Queen Street, Grafton, New South Wales, husband of Merlin Jean Bailey of Maclean, New South Wales, Australia. Enlisted on the 22nd May 1942. Worked as a window dresser prior to service. Grave inscription reads: "It Is God That Girdeth Me With Strength And Maketh My Way Perfect".
Sgt. Michael Justin Tymms. Oxford Cemetery (Botley). Plot I/2. Grave 73. Born on the 23rd December 1923 at Launceston, Tasmania the son of Dr. Albert Oscar Vincent Tymms and Henrietta Eyre Maunsell Tymms, of Neutral Bay, New South Wales, Australia. Grave inscription reads: "Son Of Dr. & Mrs. A.O.V. Tymms, Launceston, Tasmania".
With thanks to Jane Mcgrath, niece of F/O. John Ledgerwood, Trish Masters (née Bailey), daughter of Fl/Sgt. Eric George Bailey, John Beswick for his kind assistance. Norman White, Pat Butler and the dedicated Committee of the Steeple Claydon Remembrance Garden Group, the people of Steeple Claydon and Jacquie Cronshaw.
(2) This was during the time that he managed and generated most of the content for a website for another association.
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: 21 March 2021, 15:35