Airborne 2135 16 Aug 41 from Binbrook.
Crashed 0130. 17 Aug 41 while making an emergency landing near Melton Constable, 8 miles ENE of Fakenham, Norfolk, during which the Wellington smashed into a bridge.
Cause of the emergency and whether it occurred outbound or home bound not established.
The injured were admitted to the Norwich and Norfolk General Hospital. F/L C.N.McVeigh Inj F/O B.M.J.Vincent KIA F/S E.H.Nancarrow KIA Sgt Purslow Inj F/S C.G.C.Frost KIA F/S D.Murray Inj
Memorial Wellington road Briston Norfolk.
Aerial map 1946. Alleged crash site.
Wellington W5444 Information
Type Wellington
Serial Number W5444
Squadron 12
X1D PH-T
Operation Cologne
Date 1 16th August 1941
Date 2 17th August 1941
Further Information
"Serial Range W5414 - W5463. 50 Wellington Mk.11. Part of a batch of 300 Wellington Mk.11/1C. W5352-W5401; W5414-W5463; W5476-W5500; W5513-W5537; W5550-W5598; W5611 (200) Mk.11 delivered by Vickers (Weybridge) between Oct40 and Jul41. W5612-W5631; W5644-W5690; W5703-W5735 (100) Mk.1C delivered by Vickers (Weybridge) between Feb41 and May41. W5686; W5709 converted to Mk.XV1. W5615; W5619; W5623; W5631; W5645; W5647; W5649; W5653; W5655; W5657; W5659; W5661; W5662; W5671; W5672; W5674; W5676; W5678; W5725; W5728; W5730; W5735 converted to Mk.V111. W5389/G Special Mods, including W2B jet in the tail/ W5518/G Special Mods, inxluding W2/700 jet in the tail. Airborne 2135 16Aug41 from Binbrook. Crashed 0130 17Aug41 while making an emergency landing near Melton Constable, 8 miles ENE of Fakenham, Norfolk, during which the Wellington smashed into a bridge. Cause of the emergency and whether it occurred outbound or homebound not established. The injured were admitted to the Norwich and Norfolk General Hospital. F/L C.N.McVeigh Inj F/O B.M.J.Vincent KIA F/S E.H.Nancarrow KIA Sgt Purslow Inj F/S C.G.C.Frost KIA F/S D.Murray Inj "
McVEIGH, P/O Charles Norman (40243) - Mention in Despatches - No.12 Squadron - awarded as per London Gazette dated 1 January 1941. AFRO 2684/44 dated 15 December 1944 (announcing his award) described him as a Canadian in the RAF. Born in Calgary, 11 September 1918. Trained at Elementary Training School, Perth, 23 August to 23 October 1937 (60 hours on Tiger Moths). Appointed Pilot Officer on Probation in RAF, 24 October 1937. Attended No.7 FTS, Peterborough, 6 November 1937 to 30 April 1938 (70 hours on Hart and Audax); at No.1 Armament Training School, 1-29 May 1938 (20 hours on Hart and Audax); at No.1 Navigation School, Manston, 14 June to 19 August 1938 (70 hours in Ansons, chiefly as navigation trainee rather than pilot); with No.12 Squadron, 20 November 1938 to 17 August 1941. During this period he was confirmed as a Pilot Officer (23 August 1938), promoted to Flying Officer (23 April 1940) and Flight Lieutenant (22 November 1940 in temporary rank, being confirmed in that rank on 23 April 1941). Hitchins cards state that he accompanied No.12 Squadron (Battles) to France, 2 September 1939; on 25 September he was one of seven pilots on photo reconnaissance operation over Saarbrucken, 23,000 feet; destroyed squadron's petrol store at Amifontaine on retreat, 16 May 1940; on 20 May 1940 flew a night raid on Montcornet; another raid on 23 May frustrated by 10/10 clouds; night attack on engines (locomotives), Dinant, 24 May 1940; attacking aerodromes and yards, 28 May 1940; night raid on convoys near Hirson, 4 June 1940; on 7 June 1940 was on a day raid to Poix (combat with six enemy aircraft); night bombing raid to Trie, 8 June 1940 (low cloud); night raid of 12 June 1940 abandoned due to mist; dawn raid to Les Andelys, 13 June 1940; squadron returned to England, 15 June 1940. He seems not to have flown during the summer of 1940 as Hitchins cards record him returning to No.12 Squadron from hospital on 3 September 1940. On 20 November 1940 he relinquished command of 'B' Flight to another officer (squadron training on Wellingtons) but remained on strength of the unit. No.12 Squadron commenced operations on Wellingtons on 9 April 1941; his first Wellington sortie was 15 April 1941. Crashed at Melton Constable, 16/17 August 1941 on returning from a raid (Wellington W5444, PH-T); three killed; three injured and he had a severely broken left leg). Hospitalized until 5 May 1942. Promoted Squadron Leader, 1 June 1942. At No.2 FTS, Montrose, 6 May to 30 June 1942 (under training; flew 75 hours on Oxford and 35 hours on Magister); with No.6 (P) AFU, Little Rissington, 1 July 1942 to 10 March 1943 as Chief Flying Instructor and Satellite Field Commander (flew 128 hours on Oxfords); with No.44 Group, Transport Command, 11 March 1943 to 18 January 1944 (training and air staff duties; flew 26 hours on Dominies, five on Mosquitoes, 23 on Oxford, 18 on other types); with No.569 Squadron, 19 January to 28 February 1944 (in charge of flying until unit disbanded; flew 30 hours on Dakotas). With No.48 Squadron, 29 February to 17 September 1944 (146 hours on Dakota); with No.437 Squadron, 18 September 1944 to 25 August 1945 (318 hours on Dakotas); with No.435 Squadron, 26 August 1945 to 30 March 1946 (143 hours on Dakotas). He had transferred to RCAF, 4 October 1944 (C89501). He reverted to Squadron Leader but regained Wing Commander rank on 1 January 1945. Principal postings were with No.426 Squadron (11 July to 25 September 1946, instrument flying training, 100 hours on Dakotas), RCAF Overseas Headquarters (26 September to 20 November 1946), Eastern Air Command Composite Flight (commanding officer, 21 November 1946 to 2 January 1947), Patricia Bay (5 January to 5 October 1947), Joint Air School, Rivers (12 July 1948 to 2 February 1951, including command of No.112 Flight, 12 July 1948 to 31 March 1949), and Transport Command Headquarters, 3 January 1957 to 18 August 1959. Retired from RCAF, 23 July 1965.
Cologne.
Name: VINCENT, BERNARD MONTAGUE JEFFREY
Initials: B M J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Pilot Officer
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 12 Sqdn.
Age: 19
Date of Death: 17/08/1941
Service No: 63824
Additional information: Son of Montague and Mariorie Vincent, of Yeovil, Somerset.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: 25. B. 19.
Cemetery: BROOKWOOD MILITARY CEMETERY
Name: NANCARROW, EDWARD HORATIO
Initials: E H
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Flight Sergeant (Obs.)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force
Unit Text: 12 Sqdn.
Age: 26
Date of Death: 17/08/1941
Service No: 564733
Additional information: Son of Horatio and Alice Nancarrow, of Fratton, Portsmouth; husband of Gertrude Nancarrow.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Plot X. Row 8. Grave 20.
Cemetery: PORTSMOUTH (MILTON) CEMETERY
Name: FROST, COLIN GEORGE CHARLES
Initials: C G C
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Flight Sergeant
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 12 Sqdn.
Age: 21
Date of Death: 17/08/1941
Service No: 747744
Additional information: Son of Harold Joseph George and Mary Frost, of Polesworth, Warwickshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: 25. B. 18.
Cemetery: BROOKWOOD MILITARY CEMETERY
Further details from 16 Group (Norwich) Royal Observer Corps history
The below details are an extract from a 16 Group (Norwich) Royal Observer Corps history held at the National Archive (TNA, AIR 16/ 1018, p.30). Thanks to Kevin Wright for letting me know about it.
"In the early hours of August 17th. Observers G. Parnell and A. Wiseman were on duty at Q.3. At 01:25 hrs. they plotted a Wellington at 90 degrees flying north, very low, and a bright light flashing from its interior. It turned west, then east, and, whilst they were actually still reporting it to Centre it struck their telephone wires, and crashed into the railway bridge close to the post. In the hut, Observers H.A. Smithson and A.R. Oxborough were sleeping prior to going on duty at 03.00. They were awakened by the plane passing over them, and then hearing the crash, rushed outside. An emergency such as this needs cool heads and prompt action. One is liable to do the wrong thing in the excitement of the moment; but these four Observers did exactly what was right. A. Wiseman stayed to guard the Post; G. Parnell fetched flex and tools from the hut and tried to re-establish contact with Centre; H.A. Smithson cycled off to Melton Constable Police Station to warn the police and phone the Centre; whilst A.R. Oxborough ran to the crashed plane. "When I got there", he says in his report "I shouted 'Is there anybody about?' and was answered by one of the crew 'Yes, mate'. I extricated him from the wreckage, some of which was burning. I asked him if there were any bombs. He said there were, and plenty of petrol. I could hear this running out somewhere. I shouted 'Is there anybody else?' and the rear gunner answered. I was endeavouring to get him out when Observer Smithson and two members of the Home Guard arrived. We got him out and then found the pilot and released him. More help arrived, and we rescued the remaining crew, but they were dead. At 0300 Observers Oxborough and Smithson went on duty just as they would have done if nothing had happened; two typical Observers - and two brave men.
The O.G.O. sent a statement on the incident to Headquarters, who passed on an official report describing the commendable action of the Observers. H.A. Smithson and A.R. Oxborough received personal letters of congratulations and thanks from Air Commodore A.D. Warrington-Morris."
