Researching my family history I have come across a relative I new nothing about. Pilot Officer Tarbitten was killed on Jan 19th 1942, and is buired in Hull Northern Cemetery. I would love to know more about him, and am surprised that I have been able to find no reference to the circumstances in which he was awarded his DFC
By: LLOYDY - 26th June 2012 at 12:42
Harry Tarbitten
Thank you all, especially Kev for your very informative and helpful responses
By: kev35 - 25th June 2012 at 17:32
Gordon Thorburn in his excellent 9 Squadron history Bombers First and Last has the following on page 68…..
Day and night the squadron was doing top secret Gee box exercises, carrying special crews, which meant that any loss was a blow way beyond the usual. On the morning of 19 January part of X3370’s starboard wing fell off and she came down at Folly Farm, Thetford. All seven aboard were killed. The pilot was Bob Telling. One of three observers in training with Gee was Harry Tarbitten, who had started the previous May and was on his second tour.
On page 70 he continues…..
Ten vital days began with 13th February, the night after the battle-cruiser debacle. The London Gazette announced ‘the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to P/O H L Tarbitten, sice deceased’ and the final trial of Gee was held.
Regards,
kev35
By: Thunderbird167 - 25th June 2012 at 17:03
From the London Gazette whilst with 9 Squadron
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35454/supplements/710
Was previously a Sergeant with the service number 985785 before being commissioned with the service number 114962
By: kev35 - 25th June 2012 at 16:54
Wellington III X3370 coded WS-D. Training.
Crashed 1050 following structural failure at 250 feet of the outer section of the starboard wing. The Wellington fell and burst into flames at Folly Farm, just to the N of Thetford, Norfolk. At least one civilian had to be treated for burns to his hands as a result of trying to rescue the trapped crew. F/L Cresswell RNZAF was instructing the crew in navigation techniques.
Crew:
Sgt. R D Telling.
F/L P H Cresswell RNZAF.
P/O H L Tarbitten DFC.
Sgt. J Amphlett.
Sgt. T F Greenwood.
Sgt. T G Banks.
Sgt. R S Aitchison.
All courtesy of Chorley’s Bomber Command Losses, 1942.Hope this helps,
Regards,
kev35
By: shepsair - 25th June 2012 at 16:51
Tarbitten
https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/search/record.asp?db=bc&id=57068&ref=dw
http://twgpp.org/information.php?id=3185537
Mark
By: Arabella-Cox - 25th June 2012 at 16:50
Unusual name, Tarbitten. A quick google search reveals a different date; 27 Nov 1941:
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35451/pages/666/page.pdf
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June 25, 2012 at 4:19 pm