28TH61ST+ONE

E4 W L BARNES, LORD APSLEY, A D C MILLAR, J H WEDGWOOD, P EARLE, L A VAUGHAN, K L DUBROMISSKI, Z A IDZIKOWSKI, S PANKIEWICZ

Extended Description
E004 William Lawrance Le Cocq BARNES. Lieutenant, HMS Illustrious, Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm. Accidentally shot through his right lung while in a car at night, not on duty 2nd March 1941 aged 24 years at RAF Hal Far, Malta. Son of Marjorie Sophia and Colonel Lawrance Edward Barnes, of Maiden Newton, Dorset. Wills and Admin, Ancestry - He resided at Maiden Newton House, Maiden Newton, Dorsetshire, died on date stated at Valletta, Malta. His effects went to Lawrence Edward Barnes retired colonel.

The following were Polish Air Force and one RAF crew and passengers, total seventeen in a Handley Page Halifax four engined heavy bomber Serial number DT542 on a Transit Flight from Cairo, via Malta for England. The plane took off from RAF Luqa after re-fuelling at about 04.00 hrs and crashed on open ground beyond the runway in the area of Zejtun, Malta on 17th December 1942 killing all 17 on board. The cause of the accident may have been engine failure. Another theory is, the plane had just flown over Zejtun when a large explosion was heard and the plane crashed into fields then caught fire. It is believed that is was mistakenly shot down by Anti-Aircraft gun fire.
Unfortunately, those who knew what happened were killed.

E004 Allen Algernon Bathurst APSLEY D.S.O., M.C., Lord, Major, 12995, 1st Royal Gloucestershire Hussars, Royal Armoured Corps. And Arab Legion. Born 1895 to Colonel Seymour Henry Bathurst, 7th Earl Bathurst and the Countess Bathurst, nee Borthwick, Cirencester, Gloucestershire. Husband of Lady Apsley, nee Meeking, Cirencester. Served under Apsley birthname Bathurst. He was a passenger in a Halifax bomber which crashed 17th December 1942 near RAF Luqa, Malta, aged 47 years.

Miscellaneous information -
1st Royal Gloucestershire Hussar Regiment
During World War I, he served overseas with the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars. He was promoted to temporary lieutenant in April 1916, acting captain in June 1917, receiving a substantive promotion to lieutenant from the same date and to substantive captain in 1918. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for his actions in Egypt. He was elected as MP for Southampton in 1922 and for Bristol Central in 1931, seats he held until 1929 and 1942 respectively. In 1923 he was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant for the County of Gloucester, and of the City and County of the City of Gloucester, and the City and County of the City of Bristol. During World War II, he served overseas again and died whilst commanding the Arab Legion.


E004 Krzysztof Leon DOBROMISSKI. Lieutenant, Pilot P/0100 Polish Air Force. Born 21 December 1915 resided in Gliniany, Poland. He was crew in a Halifax bomber which crashed 17th December 1942 near RAF Luqa, Malta, aged 26 years.


E004 Peter EARLE, Flight-Lieutenant, 44315, Royal Air Force, 426 Squadron. Born 1914 to Phyllis Earle. Husband of Florence Earle, nee Spooner of West Worthing, Sussex. He was a passenger a Halifax bomber which crashed 17th December 1942 near RAF Luqa, Malta aged 28 years. He had served with 76 Squadron and was returning to England to take up his new posting.


E004 Zbigniew Augustyn IDZIKOWSKI. (Lieutenant) Flying Officer P/0742, Polish Air Force. He was born on April 10, 1919 in Zaolzie, in Lutynia Dolna and resided at Krakow, Poland. He was crew in a Halifax bomber which crashed 17th December 1942 near RAF Luqa, Malta aged 31 years.


E004 Arthur David Curtis MILLAR, Major, Indian Army. Born 1904 to Sarah Millar of Crieff, Perthshire. Husband of Margaret nee Burton. He was passenger in a Halifax bomber which crashed 17th December 1942 near RAF Luqa, Malta aged 38 years.


E004 Stanislaw PANKIEWICZ. Flying Officer, Pilot P/0858, Polish Air Force with 138 Squadron RAF. He was born on April 10, 1919 in Zaolzie, in Lutynia Dolna, resided at Augustow, Poland. He was crew in a Halifax bomber which crashed 17th December 1942 near RAF Luqa, Malta aged 23 years.


E004 Leonard Arthur VAUGHAN. DSO, DFC, Flight-Lieutenant, Air Gunner, 78666, Royal Air Force (VR), 40 Squadron, formerly Air Gunner with 40 Squadron. Born 1900 to Thomas and Elizabeth Vaughan, and husband of Joan Vaughan, Epsom, Surrey. He was passenger in a Halifax bomber which crashed 17th December 1942 near RAF Luqa, Malta aged 42 years

Supplement to London Gazette dated 12 December 1941 -
DFC Citation
Pilot Officer Leonard Arthur VAUGHAN (78666), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 148 Squadron.
This officer air gunner has participated in 54 raids, including 28 against targets in Germany and German-occupied territory. Throughout, he has displayed the utmost keenness for operations which, together with his utter contempt for danger has set a splendid example to all. On one occasion during a mine-laying mission, his aircraft was subjected to fire, at close range, from 2 antiaircraft guns. By silencing these guns, Pilot Officer Vaughan performed very valuable work in difficult circumstances. As a qualified gunnery leader, he carries out a great deal of the instruction of new crews, a work in which he has shown real ability.
He was awarded his DSO 1 May 1943 while with 40 Squadron. (Posthumously)
DSO Citation.
This officer has completed a large number of operational missions, including sorties of Germany and enemy territory and in the Middle East. Throughout, he has displayed outstanding leadership and great determination while his high skill has been incalculable assistance to his fellow gunners. During a recent period of intense aerial activity his fine fighting qualities and courageous example have been worthy of the highest praise.


E004 Jefferson Heywood WEDGWOOD. DFC and Bar, Squadron-Leader, Pilot, 37645, Royal Air Force, 138 Squadron, formerly pilot with 92 Squadron. Born 28 May 1917 at 42 Regents Park Road, London. Only son to Jefferson Wedgwood and Mary Heywood Wedgwood, nee Jones of “Wenonah”, Aldwick near Bognor Regis in Sussex. He was passenger in a Halifax bomber which crashed 17th December 1942 near RAF Luqa, Malta. At rest in Capuccini Naval Cemetery, Malta Plot E Grave 04
DFC Citation
Sqn. Ldr. J. H. WEDGWOOD. R.A.F.O. No. 92 Squadron
In August, 1942, whilst patrolling the battle area, this officer led bis squadron brilliantly in an attack against a superior number of enemy fighters. Despite the odds. Sqn. Ldr. Wedgwood so disposed his squadron that, during the combat, at least four enemy aircraft were destroyed and several more were damaged. Throughout, this officer who, in the fighting, shot down a Me. 109F, displayed great tactical ability. He has destroyed at least six and damaged many more hostile aircraft.

http://www.hambo.org/lancing/view_man.php?id=97

http://aircrewremembered.com/dobromirski-krzysztof.html

All at rest in Capuccini (Kalkara) Naval Cemetery, Malta Plot E Grave 04
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