Lost without Trace....
is dedicated to the Airmen of the Royal New Zealand Air Force who have lost their life in the air war over Frisian soil and waters but have no known grave.
William Alan Baird, RNZAF 404014
Son of William Baird, and of Margaret Annie Baird (nee Rough), of Port Ahurire, Napier, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand.
Sgt Baird was part of P/O Fulton's crew of 12 Squadron based at RAF Binbrook in Lincolnshire. Their aircraft, Wellington B.II W5458 had left Binbrook at 22.40 hrs on 19 May 1942 for a bombing mission to Mannheim, Germany.
At some stage in the flight, the Wellington crashed into the Northsea. All crew members perished. Only two bodies were washed onto the beach on the island of Vlieland. Sgt Harry Edgar Wreyford Ansell and Sgt Carodoc Roberts were buried there.
The other four crew members have no known grave. Their names are on the Runnymede Memorial. They were Sgt William Alan Baird (on panel 117), Sgt Clifford Allan Bell (panel 78), Sgt James Ernest Hughes (on panel 74) and their captain P/O William John Fulton, RNZAF (on panel 116).
(Bomber Command Losses, Volume III, 1942, p.96)
Sgt Baird was part of P/O Fulton's crew of 12 Squadron based at RAF Binbrook in Lincolnshire. Their aircraft, Wellington B.II W5458 had left Binbrook at 22.40 hrs on 19 May 1942 for a bombing mission to Mannheim, Germany.
At some stage in the flight, the Wellington crashed into the Northsea. All crew members perished. Only two bodies were washed onto the beach on the island of Vlieland. Sgt Harry Edgar Wreyford Ansell and Sgt Carodoc Roberts were buried there.
The other four crew members have no known grave. Their names are on the Runnymede Memorial. They were Sgt William Alan Baird (on panel 117), Sgt Clifford Allan Bell (panel 78), Sgt James Ernest Hughes (on panel 74) and their captain P/O William John Fulton, RNZAF (on panel 116).
(Bomber Command Losses, Volume III, 1942, p.96)
Clifton Robert Brailey, RNZAF 404587
Son of James Frederick and Gwendoline Elizabeth Brailey, of Lower Hutt, Wellington, New Zealand.
No. 75 (NZ) Squadron Wellington B.III X3760 had left RAF Feltwell on June 20, 1942, for a bombing mission to Emden. It is believed the Wellington was shot down by a nightfighter. The machine crashed into the sea West of Ameland. There were no survivors. F/S Arthur Stafford Christie (21) was buried on 14 July 1942, on the same day as his pilot, F/O Allen Armistice Fraser (23) at the Vredenhof Cemetery on Schiermonnikoog Island. Two crewmembers are buried in Sage War Cemetery, Oldenburg, Germany: P/O Walace Edward Buckley, RNZAF (28) and P/O Raymond Wickliffe John Trengrove, RNZAF (21).
One member of this crew, 23 year old Sgt Clifton Robert Brailey, RNZAF, has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial on panel 117.
(Bomber Command Losses, Volume III, 1942, p.129)
No. 75 (NZ) Squadron Wellington B.III X3760 had left RAF Feltwell on June 20, 1942, for a bombing mission to Emden. It is believed the Wellington was shot down by a nightfighter. The machine crashed into the sea West of Ameland. There were no survivors. F/S Arthur Stafford Christie (21) was buried on 14 July 1942, on the same day as his pilot, F/O Allen Armistice Fraser (23) at the Vredenhof Cemetery on Schiermonnikoog Island. Two crewmembers are buried in Sage War Cemetery, Oldenburg, Germany: P/O Walace Edward Buckley, RNZAF (28) and P/O Raymond Wickliffe John Trengrove, RNZAF (21).
One member of this crew, 23 year old Sgt Clifton Robert Brailey, RNZAF, has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial on panel 117.
(Bomber Command Losses, Volume III, 1942, p.129)
Alan Stewart Broun, RNZAF 405367
In the evening of 8 July, 1942, Pilot Officer Alan Stewart Broun, of 75 (NZ) Squadron and fellow crew took off from RAF Feltwell. Wellington B.III X3557 set course for its target, Wilhelmshafen. At 01.30 hrs the bomber crashed into the Waddenzee, off Rottumeroog. The whole crew perished. Sgt George Anthony Young, RNZAF (21) was buried in Vredenhof Cemetery on 22 August, 1942. Only one other fellow crewmember has a known grave. P/O T.H. Smith, RNZAF, the pilot of X3557, was initially buried on Rottumeroog, but he now rests in the Oldebroek General Cemetery.
P/O Alan Stewart Bourn is commemorated on Panel 115 on the Runnymede Memorial as are the other crewmembers: P/O D.N. Potts, RNZAF, Sgt E.F. McKenzie, RNZAF and P/O J.R.Gavegan, RNZAF.
(Bomber Command Losses, Volume III, 1942, p.148)
P/O Alan Stewart Bourn is commemorated on Panel 115 on the Runnymede Memorial as are the other crewmembers: P/O D.N. Potts, RNZAF, Sgt E.F. McKenzie, RNZAF and P/O J.R.Gavegan, RNZAF.
(Bomber Command Losses, Volume III, 1942, p.148)
William John Fulton, RNZAF 402177
Son of Thomas Nicholas Fulton and Mary Ann Fulton, of Paeroa, Auckland, New Zealand.
P/O Eilliam John Fulton's Wellington B.II W5458 had left Binbrook at 22.40 hrs on 19 May 1942 for a bombing mission to Mannheim, Germany. At some stage in the flight, the Wellington crashed into the Northsea.
All crew members perished. Only two bodies were washed onto the beach on the island of Vlieland. Sgt Harry Edgar Wreyford Ansell and Sgt Carodoc Roberts were buried there.
The other four crew members have no known grave. Their names are on the Runnymede Memorial.
They were Sgt William Alan Baird (on panel 117), Sgt Clifford Allan Bell (panel 78), Sgt James Ernest Hughes and their captain P/O William John Fulton, RNZAF (on panel 116).
(Bomber Command Losses, Volume III, 1942, p.96)
P/O Eilliam John Fulton's Wellington B.II W5458 had left Binbrook at 22.40 hrs on 19 May 1942 for a bombing mission to Mannheim, Germany. At some stage in the flight, the Wellington crashed into the Northsea.
All crew members perished. Only two bodies were washed onto the beach on the island of Vlieland. Sgt Harry Edgar Wreyford Ansell and Sgt Carodoc Roberts were buried there.
The other four crew members have no known grave. Their names are on the Runnymede Memorial.
They were Sgt William Alan Baird (on panel 117), Sgt Clifford Allan Bell (panel 78), Sgt James Ernest Hughes and their captain P/O William John Fulton, RNZAF (on panel 116).
(Bomber Command Losses, Volume III, 1942, p.96)
Jack Ralph Gavegan, RNZAF 402128
Son of Percival and Catherine Mary Gavegan, Adelaide, South Australia.
P/O Jack Ralph Gavegan (30) was part of P/O Smith's 75 (NZ) Squadron's crew. In the evening of 8 July, 1942, their Wellington B.III, serial X3557, left RAF Feltwell and set course for its target, Wilhelmshafen. At 01.30 hrs the bomber crashed into the Waddenzee, off Rottumeroog. The whole crew perished. Sgt George Anthony Young, RNZAF (21) was buried in Vredenhof Cemetery on 22 August, 1942. Only one other fellow crewmember has a known grave. P/O T.H. Smith, RNZAF, the pilot of X3557, was initially buried on Rottumeroog, but he now rests in the Oldebroek General Cemetery, The Netherlands.
P/O Jack Ralph Gavegan is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 116 along with his other crewmembers P/O A.S. Broun, RNZAF, P/O D.N. Potts, RNZAF and Sgt E.F. McKenzie, RNZAF.
P/O Jack Ralph Gavegan (30) was part of P/O Smith's 75 (NZ) Squadron's crew. In the evening of 8 July, 1942, their Wellington B.III, serial X3557, left RAF Feltwell and set course for its target, Wilhelmshafen. At 01.30 hrs the bomber crashed into the Waddenzee, off Rottumeroog. The whole crew perished. Sgt George Anthony Young, RNZAF (21) was buried in Vredenhof Cemetery on 22 August, 1942. Only one other fellow crewmember has a known grave. P/O T.H. Smith, RNZAF, the pilot of X3557, was initially buried on Rottumeroog, but he now rests in the Oldebroek General Cemetery, The Netherlands.
P/O Jack Ralph Gavegan is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 116 along with his other crewmembers P/O A.S. Broun, RNZAF, P/O D.N. Potts, RNZAF and Sgt E.F. McKenzie, RNZAF.
Francis Charles Harrison-Smith, RNZAF 403959
Son of Charles Caldwell Harrison-Smith and Olive Mary Harrison-Smith, of Remuera, Auckland, New Zealand.
Sergeant Francis Charles Harrison-Smith (20) was the captain of 75 (New Zealand) Squadron, RAF, Wellington B.Ic Z1099. The aircraft het left RAF Feltwell on the night of 30 November, 1941, for an air operation against Emden. At some stage in the flight, the Wellington was intercepted by a German night fighter and was shot down into the Waddenzee or Lauwerszee. Only one crew member, Sgt Bryan Dominic Meagher has a grave. He was buried at the Vredenhof Cemetery on Schiermonnikoog Island. The other crewmembers are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. They are Sgt Douglas Victor Sizmur (Panel 52), Sgt Daniel McCready(25)(on Panel 47), Sgt Eric Henry James Painter (on Panel 50) and Sgt Peter Buckby (on Panel 40).
According to the entry in Bomber Command Losses 1941, Vol.II, p187, the Wellington was intercepted and subsequently shot down by Ofw Paul Gildner of 4./NJG 1.
Sergeant Francis Charles Harrison-Smith (20) was the captain of 75 (New Zealand) Squadron, RAF, Wellington B.Ic Z1099. The aircraft het left RAF Feltwell on the night of 30 November, 1941, for an air operation against Emden. At some stage in the flight, the Wellington was intercepted by a German night fighter and was shot down into the Waddenzee or Lauwerszee. Only one crew member, Sgt Bryan Dominic Meagher has a grave. He was buried at the Vredenhof Cemetery on Schiermonnikoog Island. The other crewmembers are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. They are Sgt Douglas Victor Sizmur (Panel 52), Sgt Daniel McCready(25)(on Panel 47), Sgt Eric Henry James Painter (on Panel 50) and Sgt Peter Buckby (on Panel 40).
According to the entry in Bomber Command Losses 1941, Vol.II, p187, the Wellington was intercepted and subsequently shot down by Ofw Paul Gildner of 4./NJG 1.
(Bomber Command Losses, Volume II, 1941, p.187)
Mervyn Sydney Lund, RNZAF 40979
Son of Gustaf Emanuel and Mary Ann Lund, of Mount Eden, Auckland, New Zealand.
P/O Lund and crew, Sgt A.E. Owen (RAF), Sgt J. J. Cox (RAF), Sgt R. P. Williams (RAF), Sgt A. J. Le Poivedin (RAF) and Sgt F.G. Walker (RAF), took off from RAF Elsham Wolds in Wellington B.Ic R1397 of 103 Squadron for an air operation to Emden in German East-Friesland. According to an entry in the 103 Squadron ORB, the Wellington left her base at 23.40 hrs and was subsequently 'lost without trace...' One other Wellington, X9620, of 304 Squadron, also failed to return.
P/O Lund and his crew are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. Lund is on panel 63.
No longer missing...............
Recent research by the Stichting Missing Airmen Memorial Foundation (SMAMF) has revealed that P/O Lund's Wellington must have come down near the hamlet of Klaeiterp, between the villages of Boazum and Wiuwert in the early hours of 25 July 1941. There were no survivors. The remains of the 6 perished airmen were taken to Leeuwarden and subsequently buried as 'Airmen of the 1939-1945 War' at the Noorderbegraafplaats (Northern General Cemetery) on 31 July 1941. A request for additional research by the Royal Air Force has been submitted.
On Monday 25 July 2011 a memorial plaque was unveiled near the site where the Wellington bomber came down by Mrs Liemburg, Mayor of Littenseradiel, assisted by pupils from Boazum and Wiuwert primary schools. Over 25 relatives of the crew, the Ambassador of New Zealand H. E. George Troup and representatives of the SMAMF attended the moving ceremony.....
Son of Gustaf Emanuel and Mary Ann Lund, of Mount Eden, Auckland, New Zealand.
P/O Lund and crew, Sgt A.E. Owen (RAF), Sgt J. J. Cox (RAF), Sgt R. P. Williams (RAF), Sgt A. J. Le Poivedin (RAF) and Sgt F.G. Walker (RAF), took off from RAF Elsham Wolds in Wellington B.Ic R1397 of 103 Squadron for an air operation to Emden in German East-Friesland. According to an entry in the 103 Squadron ORB, the Wellington left her base at 23.40 hrs and was subsequently 'lost without trace...' One other Wellington, X9620, of 304 Squadron, also failed to return.
P/O Lund and his crew are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. Lund is on panel 63.
No longer missing...............
Recent research by the Stichting Missing Airmen Memorial Foundation (SMAMF) has revealed that P/O Lund's Wellington must have come down near the hamlet of Klaeiterp, between the villages of Boazum and Wiuwert in the early hours of 25 July 1941. There were no survivors. The remains of the 6 perished airmen were taken to Leeuwarden and subsequently buried as 'Airmen of the 1939-1945 War' at the Noorderbegraafplaats (Northern General Cemetery) on 31 July 1941. A request for additional research by the Royal Air Force has been submitted.
On Monday 25 July 2011 a memorial plaque was unveiled near the site where the Wellington bomber came down by Mrs Liemburg, Mayor of Littenseradiel, assisted by pupils from Boazum and Wiuwert primary schools. Over 25 relatives of the crew, the Ambassador of New Zealand H. E. George Troup and representatives of the SMAMF attended the moving ceremony.....
Memorial at Klaeiterp. More information on the luchtoorlogfriesland website
Leonard Martin Mason, RNZAF 411429
P/O Leonard Martin Mason RNZAF (25) was the captain of Wellington B.III Z1624 'KO-D'of 115 Squadron, RAF, based at RAF Marham in Norfolk. On 28th July, 1942, the aircraft had left this base at 23.08 hrs for a mission to Hamburg. The Wellington was attacked by a night fighter and crashed into the Ijsselmeer, to the southwest of Lemmer. Shortly before impact, the crew had managed to leave the doomed aircraft, however two parachutes were seen to be on fire. Three crewmembers were rescued and were taken prisoner. They were P/O C. F. Thorpe (RAF), P/O G. B. F. Pilgrim (RCAF) and P/O J. A. O. Rondeau (RCAF). P/O Mason is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial (Panel 116) as is Sgt James Anthony Brogan (Panel 79).
(Bomber Command Losses, Volume III, 1942, p.166)
Frank Edwin McKenzie, RNZAF 391085
Son of Frank Harold and Blanche Louisa McKenzie, Bryndwyr, Christchurch, New Zealand.
In the evening of 8 July, 1942, Wellington X3557 of 75 (NZ) Squadron took off from RAF Feltwell and set course for its target, Wilhelmshafen. At 01.30 hrs the bomber crashed into the Waddenzee, off Rottumeroog. The whole crew perished. Sgt George Anthony Young, RNZAF (21) was buried in Vredenhof Cemetery on 22 August, 1942. Only one other fellow crewmember has a known grave. P/O T.H. Smith, RNZAF, the pilot of X3557, was initially buried on Rottumeroog, but he now rests in the Oldebroek General Cemetery, The Netherlands.
Sergeant Frank Edwin McKenzie (22) has no known grave and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 117 with his other crewmembers P/O A.S. Broun, RNZAF, P/O D.N. Potts, RNZAF and P/O J.R.Gavegan, RNZAF.
In the evening of 8 July, 1942, Wellington X3557 of 75 (NZ) Squadron took off from RAF Feltwell and set course for its target, Wilhelmshafen. At 01.30 hrs the bomber crashed into the Waddenzee, off Rottumeroog. The whole crew perished. Sgt George Anthony Young, RNZAF (21) was buried in Vredenhof Cemetery on 22 August, 1942. Only one other fellow crewmember has a known grave. P/O T.H. Smith, RNZAF, the pilot of X3557, was initially buried on Rottumeroog, but he now rests in the Oldebroek General Cemetery, The Netherlands.
Sergeant Frank Edwin McKenzie (22) has no known grave and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 117 with his other crewmembers P/O A.S. Broun, RNZAF, P/O D.N. Potts, RNZAF and P/O J.R.Gavegan, RNZAF.
Walter Jack Monk, RNZAF 411432
P/O Walter Jack Monk was the captain of Wellington B.III X3539 of 75 (New Zealand) Squadron, RAF. The aircraft had left RAF Feltwell on the 29th June, 1942, for an air operation to Bremen, Germany. It is believed the aircraft was intercepted by a German night fighter. The Wellington crashed into the Waddenzee off the village of Holwerd. There were no survivors. P/O Monk's crew was buried in the Holwerd Protestant Churchyard. They were: Sgt Douglas Haig Randle, RNZAF, aged 24, Sgt Ernest Francis Sydney Moncrief, RNZAF, 25, Sgt John Gordon George Hegan, RNZAF, aged 23 and Sgt Murdoch Gordon McGregor, RNZAF, 23.
P/O Monk has no known grave and is still listed as missing. He is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial on Panel 116.
(Bomber Command Losses, Volume III, 1942, p.143)
Donald Norman Potts, RNZAF 412267
Son of Norman and Myra Potts, Opotiki, Auckland, New Zealand.
In the evening of 8 July, 1942, Wellington X3557 of 75 (NZ) Squadron set course for its target, Wilhelmshafen. At 01.30 hrs the bomber crashed into the Waddenzee, off Rottumeroog. The whole crew perished. Sgt George Anthony Young, RNZAF (21) was buried in Vredenhof Cemetery on 22 August, 1942. Only one other fellow crewmember has a known grave. P/O T.H. Smith, RNZAF, the pilot of X3557, was initially buried on Rottumeroog, but he now rests in the Oldebroek General Cemetery, The Netherlands.Pilot Officer Donald Norman Potts (25) has no known grave and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 116 with his other crewmembers P/O A.S. Broun, RNZAF, Sgt E.F. McKenzie, RNZAF and P/O J.R.Gavegan, RNZAF.
(Bomber Command Losses, Volume III, 1942, p.148)
In the evening of 8 July, 1942, Wellington X3557 of 75 (NZ) Squadron set course for its target, Wilhelmshafen. At 01.30 hrs the bomber crashed into the Waddenzee, off Rottumeroog. The whole crew perished. Sgt George Anthony Young, RNZAF (21) was buried in Vredenhof Cemetery on 22 August, 1942. Only one other fellow crewmember has a known grave. P/O T.H. Smith, RNZAF, the pilot of X3557, was initially buried on Rottumeroog, but he now rests in the Oldebroek General Cemetery, The Netherlands.Pilot Officer Donald Norman Potts (25) has no known grave and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 116 with his other crewmembers P/O A.S. Broun, RNZAF, Sgt E.F. McKenzie, RNZAF and P/O J.R.Gavegan, RNZAF.
(Bomber Command Losses, Volume III, 1942, p.148)
James Leonard Richards, RNZAF 404946
Son of Henry Edward and Jessie Elizabeth Richards, of Methven, Canterbury, New Zealand.
Flight Sergeant James Leonard Richards (25) was the bomb aimer in the crew of F/L Thomas Frazer McCrorie, RAF (27). Their aircraft, Stirling B.III EH889 'AA-Z' of 75 (New Zealand) Squadron, RAF, had left RAF Newmarket at 23.48 hrs, on 22nd June, 1943, for a mission to Mannheim, Germany. On the way to their target, they were intercepted by a German night fighter. The Stirling came down in the Ijsselmeer. There were no survivors. F/L McCrorie was buried in Molkwerum Protestant Churchyard, while the two 23 year old twin-brothers in this crew, WO2's Robert Ernest and Richard Douglas Tod, RCAF, were laid to rest on the other side of the Ijsselmeer, in Medemblik General Cemetery. Sgt Raymond Anthony Kennedy, RAF (28), is buried at the Middenmeer General Cemetery. P/O William Stuckey was buried at Makkum Protestant Churchyard.
F/S Richards has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial (Panel 199) as is Sgt Eric Grainger (Panel 151).
(Bomber Command Losses, Volume IV, 1943, p.199)
Flight Sergeant James Leonard Richards (25) was the bomb aimer in the crew of F/L Thomas Frazer McCrorie, RAF (27). Their aircraft, Stirling B.III EH889 'AA-Z' of 75 (New Zealand) Squadron, RAF, had left RAF Newmarket at 23.48 hrs, on 22nd June, 1943, for a mission to Mannheim, Germany. On the way to their target, they were intercepted by a German night fighter. The Stirling came down in the Ijsselmeer. There were no survivors. F/L McCrorie was buried in Molkwerum Protestant Churchyard, while the two 23 year old twin-brothers in this crew, WO2's Robert Ernest and Richard Douglas Tod, RCAF, were laid to rest on the other side of the Ijsselmeer, in Medemblik General Cemetery. Sgt Raymond Anthony Kennedy, RAF (28), is buried at the Middenmeer General Cemetery. P/O William Stuckey was buried at Makkum Protestant Churchyard.
F/S Richards has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial (Panel 199) as is Sgt Eric Grainger (Panel 151).
(Bomber Command Losses, Volume IV, 1943, p.199)