Hello all,
My Uncle, William Edwin 'Ted' Grantham was pilot of Lancaster ND867 (QR-V) of 61 Squadron. He flew many sorties with Bill North (subject of Chris Keltie's book "Riding in the Shadow of Death")
They crashed on the second operation to St. Leu d'Esserent V1 storage facility (the first was when Bill North crashed). 5 were killed and 2 escaped.
The crew were as follows:
Pilot - 172419 F/L William Edwin Grantham (Killed)
Flight Engineer - 1891300 Sgt Geoffrey Albert Berry (POW)
Navigator - 1394703 F/S William John Hobbs (Killed)
Wireless/Air gunner - 1431592 F/S Ronald Towndrow (Killed)
Bomb aimer - 71412 F/S Thomas Clifford Young (Evaded)
Tail gunner - 1852464 Sgt Peter Henry Baigent (Killed)
Mid upper gunner - 933476 Sgt Charles Arthur Balser (Killed)
I have been successful in contacting relatives of Hobbs, Young, Baigent and Balser.
If anyone knows of relatives of Geoff Berry or Ron Towndrow, I'd be very grateful, or indeed if any look in here, please contact me.
Thanks
Neil
Looking for relatives of crew of Lancaster ND867 - 61 Squadron
Looking for relatives of crew of Lancaster ND867 - 61 Squadron
Last edited by neil40 on Fri Dec 18, 2015 5:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Researching the crew of Lancaster ND867 (QR-V) 61 Squadron, lost 8th July 1944
Re: Looking for relatives of crew of Lancaster ND867 - 61 Squadron
There is a possibility that Ronald Towndrow was born in 1922 in Sheffield.
Younger brother Raymond and older sister Dorothy.
hope this helps
Peter
Younger brother Raymond and older sister Dorothy.
hope this helps
Peter
Re: Looking for relatives of crew of Lancaster ND867 - 61 Squadron
Hi Peter
I found on the 50/61 Squadron website, a chap called Keith Vause, also looking for Ronald Towndrow information. Unfortunately he passed away, but I managed to speak to his wife, who told me that Keith was linked to the family in some way, and also, that he was from Sheffield.
I wonder how you derived this information?
Regards
Neil
I found on the 50/61 Squadron website, a chap called Keith Vause, also looking for Ronald Towndrow information. Unfortunately he passed away, but I managed to speak to his wife, who told me that Keith was linked to the family in some way, and also, that he was from Sheffield.
I wonder how you derived this information?
Regards
Neil
Researching the crew of Lancaster ND867 (QR-V) 61 Squadron, lost 8th July 1944
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Re: Looking for relatives of crew of Lancaster ND867 - 61 Squadron
Could it be that our friendly moderator, 'Alan W' who happens to assist us here on this forum, is also the moderator on the 50 / 61 Squadron forum.neil40 wrote:Hi Peter
I found on the 50/61 Squadron website, a chap called Keith Vause, also looking for Ronald Towndrow information. Unfortunately he passed away, but I managed to speak to his wife, who told me that Keith was linked to the family in some way, and also, that he was from Sheffield.
I wonder how you derived this information?
Regards
Neil
John
K for Kitty Crew - Winthorpe, 1661 HCU's - stirlingaircraftsoc.raf38group.org/
630 Squadron - East Kirkby
" There is nothing glorious about war with the exception of those who served us so valiantly"
630 Squadron - East Kirkby
" There is nothing glorious about war with the exception of those who served us so valiantly"
Re: Looking for relatives of crew of Lancaster ND867 - 61 Squadron
I have now contacted one of Ron Towndrow's nieces
Cheers
Neil
Cheers
Neil
Researching the crew of Lancaster ND867 (QR-V) 61 Squadron, lost 8th July 1944
Re: Looking for relatives of crew of Lancaster ND867 - 61 Squadron
Peter wrote:There is a possibility that Ronald Towndrow was born in 1922 in Sheffield.
Younger brother Raymond and older sister Dorothy.
hope this helps
Peter
Hi Neil
It's an unusual name and I did a little research for your in the Birth's Marriages and Deaths.
good luck
Peter
Re: Looking for relatives of crew of Lancaster ND867 - 61 Squadron
Cheers PeterPeter wrote:Peter wrote:There is a possibility that Ronald Towndrow was born in 1922 in Sheffield.
Younger brother Raymond and older sister Dorothy.
hope this helps
Peter
Hi Neil
It's an unusual name and I did a little research for your in the Birth's Marriages and Deaths.
good luck
Peter
I'd found a few candidates on FreeBMD website, in Sheffield and Chesterfield.
There are a further 2 siblings, I contacted the daughter of Ron's eldest brother this morning!
Neil
Researching the crew of Lancaster ND867 (QR-V) 61 Squadron, lost 8th July 1944
Re: Looking for relatives of crew of Lancaster ND867 - 61 Squadron
Happy to report contact with Geoff Berry's daughter end of last week.
Now in touch with all crew members families
Cheers
Neil
Now in touch with all crew members families
Cheers
Neil
Researching the crew of Lancaster ND867 (QR-V) 61 Squadron, lost 8th July 1944