The Scottish War Graves Project

Gunner · Joined: 19 Dec 2007 Posts: 10 Location: CHESTERFIELD

As a milenium project research was carried out into a Lancaster bomber crash near the village of Staunton in the vale, near Grantham, Lincs. on the night of 18th February 1943. A memorial to the crew was errected at the Parish church in their memory. The villages have now shown a desire to try and find out even more about the men who lost their lives that night and so further research has begun.
So far we have contacted all the areas where the crewmen hailed from and have traced family and/or friends of three of the crew. A photo of the Pilot has also been found in a memorial book in Canada. Photos of all the headstones have also been obtained or are in the process of so doing.
Does anyone have any information on the family or friends of the following;
Sgt James Milton Whitehead RAF, buried in Cambusnethan cemetery. Killed 18th February 1943. He was a Wireless operator/Air gunner or an Observer. The son of Willie and Janet Whitehead, who had some connection with the prison service in Perth according to the headstone.
Ideally if we could make contact with anyone who has photos or memories of James that can be added to the project information. Also it would be great to pass on to them the information about the village, its memorial and the honour in which the crew are held. We could also put them in touch with other family members who are in touch with us should they all wish this.
Got all my fingers crossed.
Gunner.
PS it is not necessary to send information from CWGC records or information on the crash it self, we have a thorough record of this from many sources.
Ta V. much.
As soon as I have reached the 5 post minimum I will put some photos on the site.

spoons · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 4:49 pm Post subject:

The boss has a CD for sale of a roll of honour that he might be listed on. See http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=85&highlight=cambusnethan&mforum=warmemscot

I am not aware of any Wishaw WW2 memorial that has names inscribed on it apart from the Baptist church and he is not listed on that.

Gunner has said that he has all the details of the crash, but for anyone else reading this, here are the details from the 'lost bombers' website.

"Lancaster W4270 Information
Type Lancaster
Serial Number W4270
Squadron 61
X1D QR-?
Operation Training
Date 1 18th February 1943
Date 2 18th February 1943

Further Information
"Serial range W4102 - W4700 This aircraft was one of 450 Manchesters ordered from A.V.Roe (Chadderton) Jan40 of which 207 were built as Lancaster Mk.1s, delivered from Jul42 to Nov42 initially fitted with Merlin 20 engines. W4270 was delivered to 61 Squadron Oct42. W4270 took part inthe following Key Operations: Kiel 13/14Oct42; Milan 24Oct42-Daylight; Genoa 7/8Nov42; Genoa 13/14Nov42; Gardening, Privet 17/19Nov42; Turin 18/19Nov42; Turin 28/29Nov42; Turin 8/9Dec42; Gardening, Nectarine 14/15Dec42; Duisburg 20/21Dec42-aborted; Berlin 16/17Jan43; Hamburg 30/31Jan43. When lost this aircraft had a total of 196 hours Crashed 2256 18Feb43, following an engine fire flying in the circuit at Bottesford airfield, Leicestershire. Sgt Warne is buried in Newark-upon-Trent Cemetery, his crew are buried in their home towns and villages. Sgt T.H.Warne RCAF KIA Sgt G.A.Hitchon KIA Sgt R.J.Preece KIA Sgt T.R.Newton KIA Sgt J.M.Whitehead KIA Sgt E.J.Loverock KIA Sgt J.Coaker KIA " "

http://lostbombers.co.uk/bomber.php?id=662

\Paul

David McNay · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 1:40 pm Post subject:

Gunner · Joined: 19 Dec 2007 Posts: 10 Location: CHESTERFIELD

Thanks for the good ideas, I will try the historical society after New year.
Best wishes,
Ian.

Gunner · Joined: 19 Dec 2007 Posts: 10 Location: CHESTERFIELD

I am remise in forgetting to update our findings on our search for photos of the crew of W4270. After much research a photo of Sgt Whitehead was found at the National Archives. It was a group photo of him and fellow Wireless Operators attending a course at No 19 Operational Training Unit.
I will try and post it when time and knowledge permit.
Regards.

Adam Brown · Joined: 21 Sep 2007 Posts: 714 Location: Edinburgh

Gunner

19 OTU was based at RAF Kinloss and had a satellite base at RAF Forres. We have a memorial for 19 OTU at RAF Forres here:

http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=2943

Regards

Adam

moragshaw · Joined: 15 Jul 2010 Posts: 1

Last Wednesday we Took an elderly friend to visit her brother's grave in Cambusnethan Cemetery. Her brother was Sgt James Milton Whitehead Known to the family as Milton.
She would love to hear from any relations of the crew as they had been together for a long time.
If you have a photo of the memorial at Staunton in the vale she would be overjoyed to have a copy.
If you need any other info let me know
Thank you

Gunner · Joined: 19 Dec 2007 Posts: 10 Location: CHESTERFIELD

Well after eleven years this latest contact has put us in contact with a relative of the sixth member of the crew of Lancaster W4270 James Milton Whitehead, the only one left to find relatives of now is Sgt Thomas Newton from Ushaw Moor, near Durham, keep your fingers crossed for us.
Gunner

jimbob · Joined: 15 Aug 2010 Posts: 1 Location: durham

Gunner · Joined: 19 Dec 2007 Posts: 10 Location: CHESTERFIELD

Last year finally the last family of the crew in which Milton Whitehead was the bomb aimer was found when we were contacted by the sister of Thomas Newton 11 years after the project to uncover the details of a wartime Lancaster crash near Staunton in the vale, Nottinghamshire. There are more and more references on the internet appearing as people around the world learn of the memorial erected to this crew. The book that is being written is up to 160 pages but still being amended as more information is uncovered. The part played by this web site is much appreciated.
Gunner.

spoons · Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 8:31 am Post subject:

What a great story, thanks for updating us

\Paul
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