NPB12

Interested to read your request for information on 107 Sqd Loss Oct 1942
and of your relation Sgt Ronald Tebbutt,My Grt Uncle was the WOP/AG on
this flight his name was Sgt Francis Rex Pickering and the other crew were
Sgt Stanley Walter Nash and the Pilot P/O Henry Philimon Collings.

I have over some years done extensive research into what happend that
Saturday morning in 1942.and have built up a huge amount of information
on 107 Sqd Operations.I got know through correspondence General Galland
who’s brother Paul shotdown Z2179.General Galland sent me his brothers
service records which are in German.Boston Z2179 was Paul Galland’s 17th
Kill and his last,he was himself killed later the same day being shotdown over
the Channel by a Spitfire

I have also been in touch with the farmer who’s land the aircraft
crashed on and he gave me an eyewitness account of the action that day
also he told that one of the crew was alive after the crash but died soon
afterwards.he also sent me a photo of him and his wife holding a boot which
when I gave him my uncles service number confirmed it to be his.
also through his help,the town hall at Woumen sent me the crews death Certificates issued on that day.

As you say the crew were originally buried at Woumen but in 1961 they were
transferred to the Canadian War Cemtery at Adegem.this was because that
the road at Woumen near the cemetery was widened my family recieved a
letter about that time confirming this.

I have been in touch with many former 107 Sqd crew who knew my uncle
and was also in touch with Stan Nash’s sister Flo,until her death some years
ago and also know his niece Lola and we have exchanged many documents
on each other’s respective uncles.

The Pilot Harry Collings was originally from Wales but lived in London before
joining the RAFVR,one of his friends again who sadly died a few years ago
was Flt Lt George Turner DFC. he told about Harry and infact was on the op
to Pont-a-Vendon on Oct 31st.Both he and Harry Collings were trained in
USA,he told that Harry was an excellent Pilot and his loss that day he felt
for many years afterwards.

As you may know the operation was launched from RAF Great Massingham
in Norfolk were 107 Sqd was then based.infact some years ago I like many
others who lossed relatives helped a local nun named Sister Lawrence who
was a wonderful lady compile a Memorial Book to all crews who were lossed
while on operations from Great Massingham,this book I believe is now kept
in the local church and can be consulted your relation will be in this.

Sgt Tebbutt I have been trying to find out facts about him for sometime
and I think that he was from Luton or near there but thats all I know about
him.I think I have a photo of him taken at Massingham with other crews in
early 1942.

Anyway I hope this gives you some further facts on your relation.