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Thanks; I think I'd previously found this site, but I appreciate all leads - living in Australia it's a little harder to access some archives. I did upload a photo to their record of Reg. So I thought I'd share it here too, in case it is of interest to others.....I don't think it was a feint because of the lack of other activity on that night/morning (see my reply above) but the database that probably has the most information is:
Losses Database - International Bomber Command Centre
Good luck. If you read one of the detailed operational history (compilations) like Shores' Bloody Shambles then it becomes apparent that in many cases there was very little known or recorded. I did find some web pages about 7 Squadron histories but most of the information was from later (c. 1944) when they had converted to Lancasters.
Appreciate the help; his details are Sgt. Reginald Woollard, service number 1381873. I've Googled what I could that's available free, I think my next step (maybe should have been my first) is to contact my English relatives and try to see what they might have.If you provide details of name and rank then it will be easier to search. A lot of young men killed! No Moon Tonight is a heartbreaking account.
Thanks sirWelcome to the Forum, Opto-Mystic. Cool name.
In my haste posting this, I originally said the statement was by Sgt. Harrison - this is my mistake as it is written by Sgt. Jones, concerning Sgt. Harrison - my apologies if this has caused any upset to anyone, as sadly Sgt. Harrison died in or shortly after the ditching.Thank you Opto-Mystic, I really appreciate the effort you have put in to remember the fallen...... I have been able to purchase a scanned copy of the file kept on the crash from the UK National Archives - it is humbling to think what these young men went through....... I hope all of our lives today are worthy of their sacrifices. And to think this crew was just one of many thousands who gave the same.......
I have attached just one page of the file, describing the crash in detail from a survivors perspective, Sgt. Jones View attachment 677482......
No need to apologise. I have been contacted by a relative from Sgt Wollard in New ZealandIn my haste posting this, I originally said the statement was by Sgt. Harrison - this is my mistake as it is written by Sgt. Jones, concerning Sgt. Harrison - my apologies if this has caused any upset to anyone, as sadly Sgt. Harrison died in or shortly after the ditching.
No problem at all Opto-Mystic, lol perhaps I'm showing my age by not thinking why some pages were like that..... I purchased the entire file copy if pages of that would interest you; it's all individual pages but I can put it together in a single file and use Google or OneDrive to share it - the original file is AIR 81-15803 if you are ever in the UK - it is at times informative, sad, touching and shocking...... But the actions of those young men on the night leave me in awe of what they went through. I'd be interested to know of the NZ relative..... as they must surely be a relative of mine too (I'm from NZ originally)Brianwnz
I hope you don't mind, I have inverted the certificate and enlarged it. This is how it would have been viewed but in those days they could not photocopy in positive, only negative.
I have further documentation but it may take a little while to find it.
View attachment 677556
Thanks for the info... I use Photoshop for 99% of my photo workWelcome to the Forum, Opto-Mystic. In case you are wondering about the bacons in post 11 above you have earned several bacons for that post - the highest award on this forum members award for a posting
It is always nice to see a new member who is a contributor
For all that do not know - if you have an inverted image the fast way to convert it is to download Irfanview and open the image.
Pressing Control+Shift+N simultaneously converts the negative to a positive and you can save it like that. To resize press Control+R.
I have never tried this but Irfanview includes a batch function that can probably convert a complete folder of negatives in one pass.
IrfanView - Official Homepage - One of the Most Popular Viewers Worldwide
IrfanView ... one of the most popular viewers worldwide.www.irfanview.com