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I was recently contacted by Luis Garrido. He was visiting the grave of F/Lt Richard Curle and found this website when looking up his name. Luis has managed to contact Maguy, the daughter of M. Guy Normandin, who was the fisherman that found the pilot's body and returned with it in April 1943. Read more about Guy Normandin  M. Guy Normandin (© Normandin family)
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On this 11th day of the 11th month we remember those that made the ultimate sacrifice.  I am once again indebted to Duncan Campbell for the photo below. It shows the Nelson Bay War Memorial in New South Wales, Australia. On this day we remember the Antipodean members of Lancaster ED559 lost on March 4/5 1943. F/O Harry Riding - Wireless Operator — RAAF 403699 (age 25) of West Maitland, New South Wales, Australia F/O Errol C. Crapp - Navigator — RAAF 411113 (age 24) of Singleton, New South Wales, Australia Sgt Garnet W. Durdin - Rear Gunner — RAAF 416149 (age 25) of Strathalbyn, South Australia. Lest We Forget  Nelson Bay War Memorial, NSW Australia I am indebted to Howard Stanley for the following photographs. Howard lives 90 minutes from Île d'Oléron and paid a recent visit and his respects at Richard Curle's grave. Howard undertook to clear the weeds and debris from the grave and leave a poppy in remembrance. Howard mentioned just two Second World War graves in the area. The other being in La Rochelle for Sgt. James Merry of 10 OTU, the pilot of a Whitley undertaking an anti-submarine operation in the Bay of Biscay. The Whitley crashed into the Bay of Biscay but the rest of Merry's crew survived and were taken prisoner. Howard is seeking any further information regarding this crew - contact me if you know more. All photographs courtesy of Howard Stanley  Richard Curle's Grave, Île d'Oléron Cemetery
I have recently been contacted by Peter from Canada. His uncle, Derek Davies, flew with 100 Squadron during part of his long service career. Squadron Leader Davies (later Wing Commander) was flight leader of A flight. He would almost certainly have known Richard Curle and the other crew. Peter shared a page from Davies' log book showing him taking Lancaster III ED559 up for a long test flight on 25 February 1943. Date - 25 Feb 1943 Type - Lancaster III No. - ED559 Pilot - Self and it would appear with Flying Officer Pirie as extra navigator Passengers - Crew Duty - Base - Kinnairds Head 59N.09W - Tiumpan Head (Hebrides) - Douglas - Tudwals Island - Alscott - Oxford - Base Formation to 19.00 ft This appears to be an exceptionally long test flight, some 1,800 km / 1120 miles, possibly to ensure the new/extra navigator could plot a good course. Base - RAF Grimsby Kinnaird's Head - Fraserburgh Tiumpan Head - Isle of Lewis, Hebrides Douglas - Isle of Man Tudwal's Isalnd - Llŷn Peninsula, Wales Allscott - Telford (I think this is the Alscott Davies is referring to) Oxford Back to base RAF Grimsby Image courtesy of Derek Davies' daughter  Page from Derek Davies log book showing test flight in Lancaster III ED559  Test Flight of Lancaster ED559 piloted by Derek Davies 25 Feb 1943 |
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May 2022
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