44 Rhodesia Sqn Raf - View Point Rd, Felixstowe, Suffolk - World War II Memorials / Monuments on Waymarking.com

Polished granite stone badge of 44 (Rhodesia) squadron ta top. badge of port of felixstowe at bottom left.

Inscription:

Royal air force 44 squadron / in remembrance of / (names) / killed and with no known grave when their aircraft / crashed into the north side of the orwell estuary on / 4th june 1940. / this memorial was donated by / the felixstowe dock and railway company

"03-04/06/1940: Emmerich, D

Type: HP52 Hampden Mk.B.1
Serial number: P1340, KM-?
Operation: Emmerich, D
Lost: 04/06/1940 (3 MIA)
Sgt E.J. Spencer
Pilot Officer Reginald W. Roots, RAF 36202 (NZ), 44 Sqdn., age 20, 04/06/1940, missing
Sergeant Albert G. Kendrew, RAFVR 624417, 44 Sqdn., age 20, 04/06/1940, missing
Sergeant Samuel P. Connell, RAF 580913, 44 Sqdn., age unknown, 04/06/1940, missing
Airborne from Waddington. Crashed into the River Orwell near Harwich, Essex, after colliding with a barrage balloon cable. The Hampden was abandoned but only the pilot was saved. He owes his life to Petty Officer B. Driver RN, who heard his cries for help and who dived into the river and found Sgt Spencer clinging to a buoy. The bodies of his crew were never recovered from the water. Their names are recorded on the Runnymede Memorial.

When the author of the book 'The Hampden File', the late ex-Sgt Observer Harry Moyle, (which forms the basis for this Hampden history) heard that the Felixstowe Dock and Railway Co, were intending to extend the dock facilities, he approached them and advised them that their dredging activities couls well disturb a war grave. They proved most sympathetic to his concerns and undertook to take great care when in the area of the crash site and to keep him appraised of any findings.

It was at this point that Harry Moyle approached the Transco representative (previously known as British Gas) whose dutied required him to fly over the Harwich/Felixstowe Docks on a regular basism as part of the aerial safety patrol of the high pressure gas pipelines. He was able to provide Harry with a series of photographs of the site wherein it was believed lay the Hampden wreck. It also helped to keep him aware of how close the extension to the docks was getting. Eventually the dredger brought up items of wreckage, which were identified by Harry Moyle as belonging to P1340.

In recognition of the sacrifice of the three lost crew members, The Felixstowe Dock and Railway Co. commissioned a Memorial to be placed in the newly created public viewing area on the seaward side of the docks at Felixstowe. The memorial was duly dedicated earlier this year (1999) and is located near to a temporary display showing the developement of the docks."

SOURCE - (visit link)

Date of Dedication: 01/01/1996 Property Permission: Public Website for Waymark: [Web Link] Location of waymark: View Point Rd Felixstowe, Suffolk England Commemoration: 44 Rhodesia Sqn Raf Access instructions: Not listed Access times: Not listed

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