15th March 1945: Avro Lancaster Mk I LL902 EM-A from 207 Squadron which was returning from a bombing operation to Lutzkendorf, crashed at 0250 when it flew into the ground because of heavy fog whilst landing at Little Rissington, after being diverted. Six crew died in the crash and the seventh the following day in hospital. They were;
Flying Officer MICHAEL JOHN HEDLEY COOKE, Pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, aged 23. He was buried in Oxford Botley Cemetery. Son of John Hedley and Dora Cooke and husband of Phyllis Eva Cooke, of Colwall, Herefordshire.
Pilot Officer RONALD FAIRCLOUGH, Flight Engineer, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, aged 24. He is buried in Trevethin St Cadoc Churchyard and was born in Pontypool, Monmouthshire.
Pilot Officer HOWARD BRUCE BODDY, Navigator, Royal Canadian Air Force, aged 33. He is buried in Brookwood Military Cemetery. He was the son of Francis Edward and Margaret Maria Boddy, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada and husband of Muriel Louise Boddy, of Toronto.
Flight Sergeant JOSEPH WILLIAM LAING, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, aged 23. He was the son of Thomas and Mary Laing, of Wingate and is buried in Hutton House Roman Catholic Burial Ground.
Flight Sergeant REGINALD GEORGE ANDREW BREACH, Wireless Operator, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, aged 33. He was the husband of Florence May Breach, of Twickenham, Middlesex, and is buried in Conisbrough Cemetery.
Flight Sergeant FREDERICK RONALD STEAD, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, aged 23. He was the son of Thomas and Esther Ellen Stead, of Bold, and is buried in Farnworth St Luke Churchyard.
Pilot Officer JOHN D'ARCY, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, aged 22. He was the son of Lt.-Col. J. I. D'Arcy, Royal Artillery, and Mrs. D'Arcy, of Athenry, County Galway, Irish Republic. He is buried in Oxford Botley Cemetery.
Avro Lancaster LL902 E-MA, pictured above, flew more air operations with 207 Squadron than any other Lancaster.
The pilot of this Lancaster, Michael John Hedley Cooke, was my adoptive Grandfather. The aircraft took off from RAF Spilsby at 16:47 on 14/03/45 and bombed the synthetic oil plant at Lutzkendorf. I have the original telegram informing my Grandmother of his death and two letters from his C/O, plus photos of him and the crew.
The pilot of this Lancaster, Michael John Hedley Cooke, was my adoptive Grandfather. The aircraft took off from RAF Spilsby at 16:47 on 14/03/45 and bombed the synthetic oil plant at Lutzkendorf. I have the original telegram informing my Grandmother of his death and two letters from his C/O, plus photos of him and the crew.
My uncle was PO Ronald (Ronnie) Fairclough (191841) he was Flight Engineer on the Lancaster. He's buried in a family grave at St Cadoc's Church, Trevethin. I have a photograph of the crew - if someone can tell me how to upload/attach a photograph to a post, I will do so.
Thank you so much for helping.
I’ve attached a photograph of the Lancaster EM-A LL902 crew – I have the original copy of this on display in my dining room with other family photos.
As far as I am aware I am the last living relative of Ronnie – my mum was a Fairclough before she married my dad.
I also have a copy of Ronnie’s RAF service record as well, if that is of any interest to members.
His grave hadn’t been looked after and I had it restored in 2014 and it is now registered with the CWG to be inspected.
Kind Regards Miss Jill Bray M.R.I.C.S. M.C.I.A.T. M.C.I.O.B.
Thank you so much for helping.
I’ve attached a photograph of the Lancaster EM-A LL902 crew – I have the original copy of this on display in my dining room with other family photos.
As far as I am aware I am the last living relative of Ronnie – my mum was a Fairclough before she married my dad.
I also have a copy of Ronnie’s RAF service record as well, if that is of any interest to members.
His grave hadn’t been looked after and I had it restored in 2014 and it is now registered with the CWG to be inspected.
Kind Regards Miss Jill Bray M.R.I.C.S. M.C.I.A.T. M.C.I.O.B.
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