Air Forces-Air Despatchers members
Only those who flew dropping and supply missions to Arnhem between 17-23 September 1944 are mention in this topic.
Other Air Force crew members are mentioned in the Air Force topic listed under Missing soldiers in the Netherlands 1940-1945 (Allied, German and Axis).
Name: THOMSON, Henry William
Rank: Driver
Age: 22
No. T/1836995
Unit: 223 Air Despatch Company, RASC
Missing since:18-09-1944
Next of Kin: Son of Henry Logan Thomson, and of Margot Thomson, of Leith, Edinburgh.
Groesbeek Panel: 9
KIA Information: He was an air despatcher on board of the Dakota KG-428, 48 RAF
Squadron. The plane was shot down on 19-9-1944 and crashlanded in National Park Hoge Veluwe.
Henry Thomson was wounded in the groin and taken POW with the other survivors, However shortly afterwards he died of his wounds and is missing since.
National Archive Record WO361/679
Name: HALL, Ray Ashley
Rank: Flight Sergeant/Pilot
Age: 22
No. 1803436
Unit: 295 Squadron RAF
Missing since:19-09-1944
Next of Kin: Son of Mr and Mrs S.H. Hall of Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
Runnymede Memorial Panel: 218
KIA Information: He was the Pilot of the Stirling LK-170, 295 Squadron RAF,
which crashed in German held territory near the house of Mr F.B. van Rie, Eede, Municpal Aardenburg on 19-9-1944, at 15.50hrs.
The area was inundated, and only 2 bodies could be recovered from the wreckage. As the aircraft came down nose first it was completely compressed and destroyed so the remains of 5 crewmembers and one air despatcher therefore were declared unrecoverable.
Name: MARSTON, Arthur
Rank: Flight Sergeant/Navigator
Age: 22
No. 1578493
Unit: 295 Squadron RAF
Missing since: 19-09-1944
Next of Kin: Son of Harold and Lilian Edith Marston of Walsall, Staffordshire.
Runnymede Memorial Panel: 220
KIA Information: He was the Navigator of the Stirling LK-170, 295 Squadron
RAF, which crashed in German held territory near the house of Mr F.B. van Rie, Eede, Municpal Aardenburg on 19-9-1944, at 15.50hrs.
The area was inundated, and only 2 bodies could be recovered from the wreckage. As the aircraft came down nose first it was completely compressed and destroyed so the remains of 5 crewmembers and one air despatcher therefore were declared unrecoverable.
Name: BOWERS, James
Rank: Driver
Age: 35
No. T/14662693
Unit: 63 (Airborne) Division Composite Company RASC
Missing since: 19-09-1944
Next of Kin: Husband of M.A. Bowers, of Ribbleton, Preston, Lincolnshire.
Groesbeek Panel: 9
KIA Information: He was one the 4 Air Despatchers on board of the Dakota KG-388, 575 Squadron RAF, which crashed to the North of the Arnhem "Zijpendaal" German Military Cemetery (1944) at about 15.15Hrs.
The crew were buried at the entrance of the Menthenberg house.
Dark brown hair-5.11ft-13 stone
Grave 21.C.19 On Oosterbeek War Cemetery holds the body of an unknown RASC soldier, killed at 19-09-1944. Found near the Sylvalaan, Arnhem and most likely one of the Despatcher of the KG-488.
Name: WESTON, George leslie
Rank: Driver
Age: 23
No. T/14663278
Unit: 63 (Airborne) Division Composite Company RASC
Missing since: 19-09-1944
Next of Kin: Worksop, Nottinghamshire
Groesbeek Panel: 9
KIA Information: He was one the 4 Air Despatchers on board of the Dakota KG-388, 575 Squadron RAF, which crashed to the North of the Arnhem "Zijpendaal" German Military Cemetery (1944) at about 15.15Hrs.
The crew were buried at the entrance of the Menthenberg house.
Brown hair-5.10ft-11 stone
Grave 21.C.19 On Arnhem-Oosterbeek War Cemetery holds the body of an unknown RASC soldier, killed at 19-09-1944. Found near the Sylvalaan, Arnhem and most likely one of the Despatcher of the KG-488.
Name: HADLEY, John Thomas
Rank: Driver
Age: 25
No. T/5623132
Unit: 253 (Airborne) Division Composite Company RASC
Missing since: 20-09-1944
Next of Kin: Husband of T Hadley, of Forest Gate, Essex
Groesbeek Panel: 9
KIA Information: He was one of the Air Despatchers on board of the Stirling LK-127,which crashed in a marshy meadow, along the Polderstraat at Heteren at about 18.00hrs. He is missing since.
Brown hair-5.7
Graves 2.A.12 and 2.A.18 on Heteren General Cemetery likely holds the 2 missing crew members of Stirling LK-127 who crashed at Heteren on 20-09-1944
Name: SLEET, George Patrick
Rank: Driver
Age: 32
No. T/1579884
Unit: 233 (Airborne) Division Composite Company RASC
Missing since: 21-09-1944
Next of Kin: London
Groesbeek Panel: 9
KIA Information: He was one of the Air Despatchers on board of the Dakota KG-346,which crashed in Dengie Flats, near Bradwell, off the coast of Essex at about 19.00hrs, and is missing since.
Name: HACKETT, John Charles Henry
Rank: Flight Sergeant/Co-pilot
Age:36
No. 1290199
Unit: 437 Squadron RCAF
Missing since: 21-09-1944
Next of Kin: Husband of Margaret Hackett, of Felling, Co Durham
Runnymede Memorial Panel: 218
KIA Information: He was Co-pilot of the Dakota KG-376,which crashed southwest of Keldonk, Netherlands at about 16.30hrs , and is missing since.
Mook War Cemetery Grave 4.C.6 holds the remains of a unknown Airman who's body was recovered from Keldonk.
Name: PRING, Walton Ralph
Rank: Pilot Officer/Pilot
Age:26
No. 174905
Unit: 48 Squadron RAF
Missing since: 23-09-1944
Next of Kin: Son of Harold and Agnes Mary Pring, of Hounslow, Middlesex
Runnymede Memorial Panel: 212
KIA Information: He was Pilot of the Dakota KG-370,which crashed in the Rosandepolder at Oosterbeek, and is missing since.
National Archive Record WO 361/677
Name: SMITH, Frederick William
Rank: Driver
Age: 33
No. T/10684001
Unit: 61 (Airborne) Divisional Company, RASC
Missing since:19-09-1944
Next of Kin: London.
Groesbeek Panel: 9
KIA Information: He was an air despatcher on board of the Stirling EF-248, 196 RAF Squadron.
The plane was shot down on 19-9-1944 after dropping their supplies and crashed (location still unknown).
Presumable Frederick Smith jumped from the plane like the other crew members, some were killed descending
others were taken POW. The other air despatcher was also wounded and later died of his wounds in a POW camp.
National Archive Record W0361/692
Name: JOHN, Ewart, Stephen
Rank: Sergeant/Flight Engineer
Age: 20
No. 1836381
Unit: 295 Squadron RAF
Missing since:19-09-1944
Next of Kin: Son of Stephen and Sarah John of Penygraig, Clamorgan.
Runnymede Memorial Panel: 232
KIA Information: He was the Flight Engineer of the Stirling LK-170, 295
Squadron RAF, which crashed in German held territory near the house of Mr F.B. van Rie, Eede, Municipal Aardenburg on 19-9-1944, at 15.50hrs.
The area was inundated, and only 2 bodies could be recovered from the wreckage. As the aircraft came down nose first it was completely compressed and destroyed so the remains of 5 crewmembers and one air despatcher therefore were declared unrecoverable.
Name: ENDERBY, Norman
Rank: Driver
Age: 21
No. T/10679621
Unit: 253 (Airborne) Division Comp Company RASC
Missing since:19-09-1944
Next of Kin: Husband of Florence May Enderby of Woodlands, Doncaster, Yorkshire.
Groesbeek Panel: 9
KIA Information: He was one of the Air Despatchers on board of
Stirling LK-170, 295 Squadron RAF, which crashed in German held territory near the house of Mr F.B. van Rie, Eede, Municpal Aardenburg on 19-9-1944, at 15.50hrs.
The area was inundated, and only 2 bodies could be recovered from the wreckage. As the aircraft came down nose first it was completely compressed and destroyed so the remains of 5 crewmembers and one air despatcher therefore were declared unrecoverable.
National Archive Record WO 361/714
Name: CROSS, William Desmond
Rank: Driver
Age: 33
No. T/14663327
Unit: 63 (Airborne) Division Composite Company RASC
Missing since:19-09-1944
Next of Kin: Husband of Alice Eleanor Cross of Steeple Claydon, Buckinghamshire. Son of Mr and Mrs F.E. Cross.
Groesbeek Panel: 9
KIA Information: He was one the 4 Air Despatchers on board of the Dakota KG-388, 575 Squadron RAF, which crashed to the North of the Arnhem "Zijpendaal" German Military Cemetery (1944) at about 15.15Hrs.
The crew were buried at the entrance of the Menthenberg house.
Black Hair-5.7ft-11 stone
Grave 21.C.19 On Oosterbeek War Cemetery holds the body of an unknown RASC soldier, killed at 19-09-1944. Found near the Sylvalaan, Arnhem and most likely one of the Despatcher of the KG-488.
Name: PRAGNELL, Robert Frank
Rank: Driver
Age:
No. T/61437
Unit: 63 (Airborne) Division Composite Company RASC
Missing since:20-09-1944
Next of Kin: Son of Frank and Lucy Pragnell of Swanage.
Groesbeek Panel: 9
KIA Information: He was one the 2 Air Despatchers on board of the Stirling LK-556, 196 Squadron RAF, which crashed alongside Valburgseweg between Elst and Valburg at about 14.30Hrs, 1 crew member was killed,as were 2 Air Despatchers.
Grave 23.C.7 on Arnhem-Oosterbeek War Cemetery holds the body of an unknown soldier, who was found at Elst in a field which is most likely that of an Air Despatcher, however there is no prove that it is Driver Pragnell.
Name: HECKFORD, Ernest Victor
Rank: Driver
Age:19
No. T/14430032
Unit: 398 (Airborne) Division Composite Company RASC
Missing since:20-09-1944
Next of Kin: Son of Mr and Mrs E.V.J. Heckford of Upton, Poole. Dorsetshire.
Groesbeek Panel: 9
KIA Information: He was one the 2 Air Despatchers on board of the Stirling LK-548, 620 Squadron RAF, which crashed in a field on front of Verhoeven Family house on Meuwerweg 3, Vorstenbosch, Netherlands, at about 17.30hrs, 3 crew members and 1 Air Despatcher where also killed, and are buried at Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery in a common grave.
Name: HAMILTON, Charles Douglas
Rank: Flight Officer/Pilot
Age:28
No. 409695 RAAF
Unit: 233 Squadron RAF
Missing since:21-09-1944
Next of Kin: Husband of Daphe Egerton Hamilton, of Fairfield,Victoria, Australia. Son of Charles Douglas and Mary Hamilton.
Runnymede Memorial Panel: 257
KIA Information: He was Pilot of the Dakota KG-556, 233 Squadron RAF, which crashed near the "Sans Souci"farm on Zwaanstraat, Eindhoven on 17.34hrs and is missing since, the other crew members are buried at Woensel General Cemetery, Eindhoven.
National Archive Record WO 361/700
Name: MAHON Michael Stanley Reece
Rank: Flight Officer/Navigator
Age:28
No. J/87637 RCAF
Unit: 437 Squadron RCAF
Missing since:21-09-1944
Next of Kin: Son of Michael Thomas Graves Mahon and Maude Eleanor Mary Mahon, of Barbados, British West Indies.
Runnymede Memorial Panel: 247
KIA Information: He was the navigator of the Dakota KG-376,which crashed southwest of Keldonk, Netherlands at about 16.30hrs , and is missing since.
Mook War Cemetery Grave 4.C.6 holds the remains of a unknown Airman who's body was recovered from Keldonk.
Name: CROSSLEY, William Thomas Rank: Driver
Age:41
No. T/2184109
Unit: 253 (Airborne) Division Composite Company RASC
Missing since:23-09-1944
Next of Kin: Husband of Lilliam Crossley, of Yardley Wood, Birmingham.
Son of William Thomas and Annah Mary Crossley.
Groesbeek Panel: 9
KIA Information: He was one of the air despatchers on board of this plane.
Brown hair-5.7ft
Believed to be the unknown soldier in grave 22.C.20 on Arnhem-Oosterbeek Cemetery
Name: FANTHORPE, Bernard
Rank: Sergeant/Wireless Operator
Age: 20
No. 1621519
Unit: 295 Squadron RAF
Missing since:19-09-1944
Next of Kin: Son of T.W. and Doris Fanthorpe, of Winterton, Lincolnshire.
Runnymede Memorial Panel: 229
KIA Information: He was the Wireless operator on board of the Stirling LK-170,
295 Squadron RAF, which crashed in German held territory near the house of Mr F.B. van Rie, Eede, Municpal Aardenburg on 19-9-1944, at 15.50hrs.
The area was inundated, and only 2 bodies could be recovered from the wreckage. As the aircraft came down nose first it was completely compressed and destroyed so the remains of 5 crewmembers and one air despatcher therefore were declared unrecoverable.
Name: McDONALD, Eugene Peter
Rank: Flight Sergeant/Bomb aimer
Age: 28
No. 950919
Unit: 295 Squadron RAF
Missing since:19-09-1944
Next of Kin:?
Runnymede Memorial Panel: 229
KIA Information: He was the Bomb aimer on board of the Stirling LK-170, 295
Squadron RAF, which crashed in German held territory near the house of Mr F.B. van Rie, Eede, Municpal Aardenburg on 19-9-1944, at 15.50hrs.
The area was inundated, and only 2 bodies could be recovered from the wreckage. As the aircraft came down nose first it was completely compressed and destroyed so the remains of 5 crewmembers and one air despatcher therefore were declared unrecoverable.
Name: HOLDSWORTH, Francis Cliffe
Rank: Driver
Age: 33
No. T/14394044
Unit: 253 (Airborne) Division Comp Company RASC
Missing since:19-09-1944
Next of Kin: Husband of Mary Elen Holdsworth of Bradford, Yorkshire. Son of Alfred and Edith Holdsworth
Groesbeek Panel: 9
KIA Information: He was one of the Air Despatchers on board of
Stirling LK-170, 295 Squadron RAF, which crashed in German held territory near the house of Mr F.B. van Rie, Eede, Municpal Aardenburg on 19-9-1944, at 15.50hrs.
The area was inundated, and only 2 bodies could be recovered from the wreckage. As the aircraft came down nose first it was completely compressed and destroyed so the remains of 5 crewmembers and one air despatcher therefore were declared unrecoverable.
Name: HODGSKINSON, Robert
Rank: Driver
Age: 33
No. T/1423047
Unit: 63 (Airborne) Division Comp Company RASC
Missing since:19-09-1944
Next of Kin: Ashton-upon-Ribble, Preston
Groesbeek Panel: 9
KIA Information:He was one the 4 Air Despatchers on board of the Dakota KG-388, 575 Squadron RAF, which crashed to the North of the Arnhem "Zijpendaal" German Military Cemetery (1944) at about 15.15Hrs.
The crew were buried at the entrance of the Menthenberg house.
Brown Hair-5.7ft-12 stone
Grave 21.C.19 On Oosterbeek War Cemetery holds the body of an unknown RASC soldier, killed at 19-09-1944. Found near the Sylvalaan, Arnhem and most likely one of the Despatcher of the KG-488.
Name: LAMONT, Raymond Joseph
Rank: Pilot Officer/Bomb aimer
Age: 21
No. J/90746
Unit: 620 Squadron RAF
Missing since:20-09-1944
Next of Kin: Son of James D. and Anna Edythe Lamont, of Fort William, Ontario, Canada
Runnymede Memorial Panel: 251
KIA Information: He was the bomb aimer of the Stirling LK-127,which
crashed in a marshy meadow, along the Polderstraat at Heteren at about 18.00hrs. He baled out and came down in the Rhine, he was killed by Germans whilst in the water, its is also not excluded
that he was wounded, taken out of the water and died of his wounds.
Grave 4.F.1 on Jonkerbos War Cemetery holds the body of an unknown RCAF Airman who was found at Driel. But there are also
two unknown graves at Heteren General Cemetery, which could be connected to the above soldier.
Name: CAMPBELL, Colin Herbert
Rank: Captain/Pilot
Age: 25
No. 12211V (SAAF)
Unit: 48 Squadron RAF
Missing since:21-09-1944
Next of Kin: Son of John W and Hilda M Campbell, of Claremont, Captown, South Africa
Runnymede Memorial Panel: 264
KIA Information: He was the Pilot of the Dakota KG-346,which crashed in Dengie Flats, near Bradwell, off the coast of Essex at about 19.00hrs, and is missing since.
National Archive Record WO 361/676
Name: THOMPSON, William George
Rank: Driver
Age: 25
No. T/84459
Unit: 253 (Airborne) Division Composite Company RASC
Missing since:21-09-1944
Next of Kin: Liverpool
Groesbeek Panel: 9
KIA Information: He was most likely one of the Air Despatchers on board of the Stirling LK-115, 295 Squadron, which made a belly landing north of the Nieuwenhuizen farm, north of Wolfheze, in the Planken Wambuis area at 14.27hrs.
Name: ADAMSON, James
Rank: Lance/Corporal
Age: 29
No. T/249802
Unit: 800 Air Despatch Company RASC
Missing since:21-09-1944
Next of Kin: Son of James and Elizabeth Adamson, of Edinburg
Groesbeek Panel: 11
KIA Information: He was of the 4 Air Despatchers on board of the Dakota KG-376,which crashed southwest of Keldonk, Netherlands at about 16.30hrs , and is missing since.
Name: SIMPSON, Francis William Richard
Rank: Lance/Corporal
Age: 34
No. T/10693502
Unit: 253 (Airborne) Division Composite Company RASC
Missing since:23-09-1944
Next of Kin: Son of J. King E and Ethel Nellie Simpson, of Westgate, Kentmes and Elizabeth Adamson, of Edinburg
Groesbeek Panel: 9
KIA Information: He was one of the air despatchers on board of this plane.
He presumably died of wounds in an first aid post or hospital. Believed to be in the Tafelberg Hotel.