Halifax and crew found in Berlin in 2003

At the risk of stating the obvious, which you’ve probably already done, have you looked them up on the Commonwealth War Graves site? Usually gives parents (obviously they’d be VERY old by now) but some pointers to location of families, family names…

e.g: ‘Son of John Henry Burdett, and of Mary Jane Burdett, of Laindon, Essex.’

http://www.cwgc.org/cwgcinternet/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1530836

And a good resource, particularly at the moment, perhaps worth a posting:
bbc.co.uk/familyhistory

Thanks John,

PRO Scotland had done this already I believe.

Thanks Denis,

It was worth a try with your contact.

Yours aye

Tom

My contact could not remember any of the names , seems he joined 640 after May 44.

Tom
Have you been in touch with Sue Raftree the RAF wrecks officer at RAF Innsworth, Glos, or the Air Historical Branch at RAF Bentley Priory. I should imagine somewhere along the line there must be next of kin addresses.

I wish you luck.

Dear Tilleydog,

Thanks for the lead, we will follow this one up. it has potential.

Yours aye

Tom

Yep,

Done both for the pilot. Working on the rest of crew in this fashion. Trouble is everyone seems to be dying faster than we can trace them!

Yours

Tom

Hi Denis,

Thanks very much.

Yours

Tom

Relative found

An article in my local paper, The Evening Echo, dated 9th December states that the younger sister of Sgt. John Charles Burdett has been traced living in Laindon, Essex.

The paper also said another lead had been provided by a reader who said he used to work with a man called Albert Cooper whos son Norman, died in an RAF bomber, could this have been Sgt Norman Cooper? He explained that Albert, who died in the 1960’s, had remarried and had two children through his second marriage named David and Rosemary. So they are wondering if any of the Cooper family still live in South Essex. It also appears that Sgt Cooper’s final address was in Hampshire because he was staying with a relative there.

Hope this information helps in your search.

I have an ex 640 squadron rear gunner who lives near me, I shall write these names down and see if he remembers anyone from this crew. He was with 640 at about the same timeframe, cant help to ask can it!.

Hi Tom,

I assume from the info you already have that you have obtained the service records for each of the deceased? From these you should be able to at least get an idea of where they were born and perhaps came from. In turn, from this a letter to a local newspaper might provide some leads. This has been a VERY succesful method I’ve employed during my own research.

All the very best of luck to you!

Your aye!

Graham

Small amendment to first post

Sorry guys,
Initial info was incorrect. Pilot’s name should have read P/O William Collins McLeod. That will teach me to preview my posts! Re the nationality query, I believe the were all British and had served on 158 Sqn C Flt before this formed 640 Sqn and the were transferred to it. Any leads at all to possible relatives of any crew member much appreciated.

Yours aye

Tom

Moggy could I suggest this as a sticky for a week otherwise it will disappear into the back lot of the forum before everyone sees it.
mmitch.

Just like to add my best wishes in trying to track down family. Very worthwhile effort-always.

Do you know the nationalities of the crew?

Can’t be of any help, just to wish you success in your task.

Moggy