Memorials commemorating fatal aircrashes involving Rochdale men being planned

Memorials are being organised in Worcestershire and Cambridgeshire to commemorate separate fatal aircrashes which involved two Rochdale men.

In September 1941 and January 1942, two Wellington bombers crashed near the town of Chatteris in Cambridgeshire and the village of Wythall in Worcestershire, killing airmen Sergeant Robert Elms, and Sergeant Douglas Butterworth.

Committees from both areas are aiming to erect memorials at the sites, and would like to hear from relatives of both Rochdale men

Sergeant Robert Elms

Sgt Robert Elms (641574) was a wireless op/air gunner who was on board the Wellington Mk 1C, R1767 when it came down in Chatteris on 10 September 1941.

The flight was part of No. 25 Operational Training Unit (OTU) at Finningley in South Yorkshire. The OTU’s role was to train night bomber crews.

Records show that the pilot lost control at low altitude when dazzled by the sudden exposure of double searchlight beams.

Sgt Elms was buried in Boarshaw Cemetery, Middleton.  

A committee was formed in the name of RAF Memorial Group Chatteris, comprising of representatives from the town and district councils, the local museum and other interested parties, to create a lasting memorial for those aircraft and air crew who came down in and near Chatteris.

Plans were made and grants are being sourced from various bodies to fund this memorial.

Lorna Jones, of the Royal British Legion - Cambridgeshire County & Huntingdonshire District, said: “We would really like to hear from relatives or anyone who knew this man so that we can get more information for a booklet we will be publishing in support of the memorial.

“Hopefully someone might have a photo that we can include.

“We also have a Facebook page called RAF Memorial Chatteris Group with information about the memorial, aircraft and crews.”

Sergeant Douglas Butterworth

Sgt Douglas Butterworth (1061600) of RAF volunteer reserve 12 squadron was the pilot of the Wellington W5356 which came down in Wythall, Worcestershire, on 9 January 1942.  

The Wellington was returning from an operation to Cherbourg, France, on one engine when it crashed at Wythall, killing one New Zealand and three British soldiers.

Sgt Butterworth, Sgt C E Morrey and Sgt B Franklin were killed in the crash, while P/O W H Burnham RNZAF died of his injuries two days later. Sgt H B Cable and P/O A N Breck were injured.

Sgt Butterworth was only 20 when he died, and was the son of Alfred and Violet Butterworth, and grandson of Thomas W and Emily Braddick.

His grave is in square BB non-conformist grave 24480 Rochdale cemetery.

Company BustersGroup, which provides a range of environmental services, is based at the farm where the crash occurred, and it is understood they wish to erect a memorial close to the crash site.

A stone with a commemorative plaque will be unveiled, along with a new oak tree to replace the one damaged in the crash.

The ceremony is planned for early October and it is hoped relatives of all the airmen will be able to attend, including the family from New Zealand. 

Contact

If you are a relative of Sgt Elms or Butterworth, please contact the Newsdesk and we will put you in contact with the relevant parties: news@rochdaleonline.co.uk