In 2011, in ‘Finding The Few’, and in ‘Britain at War’, I highlighted the case of the unknown RAF airman buried at Andalsnes, Norway, as there was good cause to believe that he must have been Plt Off H G Webb of 224 Sqn, the pilot of a Hudson which had been mistakenly shot down by HMS Curacoa on 23 April 1940. One other Hudson was badly shot up (photo) but made it back to RAF Leuchars. The other crew members of Webb’s Hudson survived, but he was posted missing with no known grave. It was therefore a pleasure to get an email this morning from the USA, and the nearest living relatives of Plt Off Webb, to inform me that the MOD/CWGC have accepted the grave must be his. As a consequence of that, a CWGC headstone will now be erected on his grave and dedicated in the summer of 2017. Pilot Officer Hector Garmen WEBB, 43154, is no longer missing.
By: paulmcmillan - 12th December 2016 at 12:27
PS forget to add.
Not really a list of a Caterpillar Club members, really a list of all RAF Bail Outs that were not planned – At least 2 people I know never applied (probably due to the embarrassment of why they used a parachute) and a couple of official members were in all probability should not have claimed
One US individual was declined/refused membership probably due to political pressure. In fact in one edition of a book the whole chapter is removed after edition one. Would make a great thriller story!
By: paulmcmillan - 12th December 2016 at 11:26
Andy
I don’t know if they were I don’t have all the ‘official names’ from April 1940.
The GQ Club was formed in 1940 but don’t know if a Hudson gunner was so equipped in April 1940 ?
Paul
By: Arabella-Cox - 12th December 2016 at 11:04
That is really helpful information Paul McMillan. Thank you!
But were these all Caterpillar Club members? Wouldn’t one have been wearing a GQ Parasuit and qualified for the GQ badge?
By: jack windsor - 12th December 2016 at 09:37
hi,
Great news Tangmere…..
regards,
jack…
By: paulmcmillan - 12th December 2016 at 09:24
Andy thanks for this.. as this incident occurred before 1st May 1940 it was on my Caterpillar List. The other three crew who survived this incident all parachuted out: P/O Anthony Brien John Pearson #41200 (wounded) LAC William Ferguson Shaw #546061 later KIA Hudson N7315/Y – 5-3-1941 and LAC John Ness #568383 (I have previously been in contact with his son). Pearson landed in the fjord as did Ness (who was an Air Gunner) Shaw landed on the Northern Shore. At least Pearson and Ness returned to UK on HMS Galatea and so probably did Shaw
Ness was shot at by Norwegian solders who thought he as German parachutist, but was recovered from the water by locals (as was Pearson).
By: D1566 - 12th December 2016 at 09:05
Great News.
By: Arabella-Cox - 12th December 2016 at 07:33
Heart warming
By: CeBro - 12th December 2016 at 07:14
I second that! Good news indeed.
By: adrian_gray - 11th December 2016 at 16:57
Well done that man!
Adrian
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December 11, 2016 at 4:40 pm