Wicken Bonhunt DH Mosquito

Oh well Ndege, it was a nice rumour while it lasted. But i still for the life of me cannot remember where i read about it :rolleyes:. Bl@@dy annoying.

Incidentally the ‘wrecked B17 at Hadstock’ story sounds very much like the one that involved (i think) a twin engined type, possibly a Boston, that crashed near Ashdon after failing to gain height out of Little Walden (Hadstock).
I doubt there can be many instances of a lady rescuing aircrew from an aircraft crash in the same area and who was subsequently killed in the ensuing explosion, so i’m guessing its the same story.

Rob

Wyvie,

Back from my trip, been to a party in the village, had a chat to the local farmer and the news is: the Mossie in Wicken story is most unlikely.

He knew the family that farmed there until they sold up and also knew the owners of the hall – the only other place it could have been and he is sure that neither place was used to store a Mossie.

Told me though about a B17, presumably from Nuthampstead which came down nearby in Clavering, with no loss of life. His father took to see it when he was 5.

Told me also about a distant rellie, a widow, who rescued 3 airmen from a wrecked B17 which came down next to her home in Hadstock. The lady went back in for a fourth, but was killed when the wreck blew up.

He recalled she was awarded a significant (posthumous) medal which was collected from the King by her young son whom he thought was 8 at the time.

Up until the time of the son’s early demise from Cancer, the survivors rescued by his mother kept in contact with a card each Christmas.

He also told that until about 20 years ago, his barn in our village was rented out to someone who was restoring Spitfires to store parts. He had 3 Merlins stored there for him and several aircraft parts, wings, fuselages etc.

Wonder if that could be the source of your story?

Merry Christmas,

Ndege.

Thanks. Your sleuthing is appreciated 🙂

Rob

Wyvernfan,

Asked around locally; local farmer who has lived here for years got me over-excited, but he was talking about the Hermes that came down near here at Meesden.

Off to work tomorrow, Only home for 2 days this week, then a long trip which gets me back for Christmas. I’ll ask around over Christmas, usually lots of village things to which mostly everyone turns out.

If I find anything, I’ll let you know. Out running yesterday, paid more attention to the Wicken Bonhunt area. If there was a chunk of Mossie there, I’d bet good money it’s long gone though.

Merry Christmas!

Ndege.

Is seems Wicken Bonhunt has seen its share of crashes:

“One of the developments of the early years of the 20th century was air travel. In the village, confidence in this new idea was damaged in 1903 when the airship Beta crashed in the fields behind the house. The idea of air travel grew and political motives saw the increased demand for airfields close by which would greatly affect the number of aeroplanes flying overhead.”

“This alteration to the road was seen as important because the area around Wicken had several air bases. Two further air disasters occurred in Wicken; the next in 1939 when a Wellington bomber crashed spectacularly in the field behind the house although the crew were all saved. The crew of a Canadian plane were not so fortunate when they crashed in almost the same spot two years later. The engine caught fire and the plane was wrecked. The sole survivor was an airman who had bailed out at the last moment. He was severely injured on landing and was helped by Frank Walters who lived in the village. Frank was a veteran of World War One and a sergeant and section commander in the Home Guard. He took charge and led the rescue party whilst waiting for the RAF Regiment to arrive on the scene.”

http://www.recordinguttlesfordhistory.org.uk/wickenbonhunt/wickenhouse.html

Ndege, there is / was a scrappy at nearby Starlings Green that had aviation related parts in at times, but i’m sure the Mossie was mentioned as being in Wicken Bonhunt… somewhere. Anything more than that i don’t know i’m afraid… hence my original question.

But i would be interested to know what your local 90 yr old lady has to say. She sounds like she has a tale or two to tell :).

Rob

Wow!

I’ve lived in the next village for over 20 years and this is a new one on me. I run through the village generally once a week and would be hard pressed to even think about where such a dump might be.

Any more details? Was it brought here as a wreck/out of service aircraft, or did it crash/force-land here?

There is a 90+ year old lady who lives in our village who might know. I once heard her tell a story of her wedding; as they left the church, the Battle of Britain was raging and fighters roared overhead in dogfight.

If I hear anything, I’ll be back.

Ndege.