Hello
I just spent a delightful afternoon in the company of former Lancaster Navigator Bill Bell (103 and 166 squadrons). Bill is now 92 years old but still as bright as a button.
Bill was shot down over Germany on 26/27 November 1943 and became a PoW, making several attempts to escape. After the war be returned to being a Policeman, but decided to rejoin the RAF – flying Mosquitoes in Germany.
Question: Can anyone confirm the details of his crew and aircraft, as he was unable to remember the aircraft number?
Bill was the third person I interviewed for my film. He was a pleasure to meet.
By: Crumbly Hunter - 29th July 2017 at 08:08
I was interested to read that you’d interviewed the navigator of that flight, Bill Bell, and also that you’d made a film, which I presume, includes your interview with him.
My father, Sgt J J Robshaw, was the Flight Engineer of this last flight, spending the rest of the war as a PoW, and I’d very much like to see this film, so that I could get a ‘feel’ for what my father experienced at the time.
If it is possible for me to do so, would you please provide the details of how I can access it please?
Thank-you and best regards
By: Phillip Rhodes - 29th August 2006 at 14:29
I met Bill the other day. I don’t think he knew that Sgt Collins (mid upper) went to assist O’Malley (rear gunner). Bill was liberated by the Russians and returned to the UK the day before the war ended.
By: Peter Clare - 22nd August 2006 at 16:49
To add a little more to the above post.
Op: Berlin
The aircraft took off 1645 hrs from Kirmington. After being hit, the tail gunner reported he was trapped in his turret. Sgt Collins immediately called on the intercom to say he was going to assist his colleague. Sadly, neither left the aircraft and both are buried in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. W/O. Thomas, who was found with a broken ankle, and Sgt Collins gained their awards, Gazetted on 2nd November 1943, during recent operations to Hannover.
Bomber Command Losses Vol 4 WR Chorley
By: Phillip Rhodes - 22nd August 2006 at 14:54
The aircraft was Lancaster III DV247, coded AS-F Crew:
WO J E Thomas DFC
Sgt J J Robshaw
Sgt W G Bell
Sgt D J Edwards
Sgt E M L Davies
Sgt A V Collins DFM
Sgt W O’MalleySgt A V Collins DFM & Sgt W O’Malley are listed as Killed in Action
Many thanks for your speedy research – very much appreciated. Cheers!
By: ian_st - 21st August 2006 at 19:21
The aircraft was Lancaster III DV247, coded AS-F Crew:
WO J E Thomas DFC
Sgt J J Robshaw
Sgt W G Bell
Sgt D J Edwards
Sgt E M L Davies
Sgt A V Collins DFM
Sgt W O’Malley
Sgt A V Collins DFM & Sgt W O’Malley are listed as Killed in Action
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August 21, 2006 at 6:41 pm