Beaufort I L9810 crashed in the North Sea on 21/6 1940.
The aircraft belonged to RAF 42 Sqn. Coastal Command and was coded AW-?.
T/O Wick 14:25 OP: Scharnhorst.
L9810 was attacked by two Bf 109s of II./JG 77 but managed to catch up with the
formation. Suddenly the starboard landing gear dropped and an engine bust into
flames and the aircraft crashed into the sea. All onboard died.
(Jill Price via Finn Buch)
Pilot F/O William Barrie-Smith
Pilot F/O William Barrie-Smith and Cpl. Frederick Dale have no known grave and
are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial while Cpl. William J. Bates rests in
Vor Frelser cemetery in Haugesund, Norway.
On the evening of 23 August 1940 the body of a British flyer was found washed
ashore on Madsbøl beach by Receiver of Wrecks Rottbøl. The police was informed
and Assistant Chief Constable Poulsen of the Thisted police arrived to make an
report of the finding. This was quite uncomfortable as two mines were washed
ashore next to the body. One mine on each side of the body. Both mines rolling
forth and back because of the rather strong waves. Quite luckily nothing
happened and the body was taken ashore. It was identified as Navigator P/O
Murray A. Butler.
Butler was laid to rest in Hjardemål Klit cemetery on 27/8 1940.
English flyer
M. A. Butler
washed ashore 1940
He died so other
could live as free men.
We thank God for the
freedom of Denmark and
this flyer and his brothers
of arms for their contribution.
The people of Hjardemaal parish
set this memorial after the
liberation in 1945.
(Dieter Friedrich)
(Dieter Friedrich)
Vor Frelser cemetery in Haugesund, Norway.
Sources: FAF, CWGC, FB.
Back to 1930 - 1940
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