Date: 18th July 1942
Unit: No. 18 Squadron
Type: Blenheim IV
Serial: Z7304
Code: WV-?
Base: Wattisham, Suffolk
Location: Stoke Holy Cross, Norfolk
Pilot: P/O. Philip Henry Lowther 104490 R.A.F.V.R. Age 20. Killed
Observer: Sgt. Kenneth Custance Ellis 1259306 R.A.F.V.R. Age 32. Killed
W/Op/Air/ Gnr: Sgt. George Bernard Crawford 1178840 R,A,F,V,R, Age 21. Killed (1)
Passenger: Mr Kenneth Tagg Civilian Meteorologist Age 18. Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
During an air test and flying in poor visibility the Blenheim IV crashed into a radar pylon at Stoke Holy Cross (Poringland, Norwich) at 1500 hrs. Also it is thought that the pilot had an earlier narrow escape flying a 1444 FTF Hudson during a spectacular crash landing at Arminghall, Norfolk. (Searching for further information on this) Amazing in that Sgt. Crawford had survived a crash of another Blenheim IV Z7283 earlier that year on 9th June at 00/15 hrs. during a night training exercise. (1)
Mr Kenneth Tagg a Civilian Meteorologist accompanied the flight for some air experience. He is buried in Norwich but very sadly he does not even have a headstone!
After extensive research a local man Mr Derek Bales arranged a memorial to the crew at the crash site and as it still belonged to the R.A.F. they finally gave permission for it to be placed at the foot of the Pylon. Derek contacted the Aircrew Remembrance Society recently to inform us of this memorial and we offered to place it on our website in recognition of his fine work.
Derek Bales lives in Stoke Holy Cross and also witnessed the crash back in 1942.
(1) Blenheim IV Z7283 Flown by Sgt. John Kenneth Jones (2) and his observer Sgt. Herbert Dawson (2) were killed when one of the engines began to misfire and Sgt. Jones ordered the crew to bale out, but as the aircraft was now below 1000 ft. Sgt. Dawson decided to remain in the aircraft and risk a forced landing - Sgt. Crawford complied however and he survived jumping when the aircraft was only at 750 ft. landing in a tree with nothing more than a sprained left ankle and of course suffering from shock.
The aircraft eventually crashed at 00.15 hrs at Hough-on-the-Hill into a cottage killing the two crew members and also 72 year old Mr John Ayto (2) and his 70 year old wife, Annie Sophia Ayto (2) who lived in the cottage.
Burial details:
P/O. Philip Henry Lowther. Bideford Public Cemetery. Sec B. Grave 159
Son of John Henry and Mary Louisa Lowther, of Bideford.
Sgt. Kenneth Custance Ellis. Comberton (St. Mary) Churchyard.
Son of Bernard William and Florence Hilda Ellis, of Comberton; husband of Doris Irene Ellis, of Cambridge.
Sgt. George Bernard Crawford. Brookwood Military Cemetery 24.B.10
No further details.
Mr Kenneth Tagg. Norwich Cemetery - unmarked grave!
No further details but thought to have lived in Wattisham having recently moved from West Rainham.
(2) Sgt John Kenneth Jones 656731 18 Squadron. R.A.F. Age 24 Killed - buried at Dolbenmaen (Bethel) Cemetery.
Sgt. Herbert Dawson 1027697 18 Squadron R.A.F.V.R. Age 32. Killed - buried at Hull Northern Cemetery.
Mr. John Ayto Civilian Age 72. Killed - buried at West Kesteven Rural District Cemetery.
Mrs. Annie Sophia Ayto Civilian Age 70. Killed - buried at West Kesteven Rural District Cemetery.
With the assistance of Derek Bales for the relatives of the crew.
Acknowledgments: With thanks to the following: Derek Bales, Bill Chorley - "Bomber Command Losses". The superb work of the C.W.G.C.
