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3rd April 1943On this day:
If you can provide any additional information, please add it here.
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Remembering those who died this day.
- Burson Aaron. Sergeant (d.3rd April 1943)
- Gadd George Edward. Sgt (d.3rd April 1943)
- Palmer Alan Cairns. Flying Officer (d.3rd April 1943)
- Ridd Thomas John. Sergeant (d.3rd April 1943)
- Sabell Ronald Sidney. Sergeant (d.3rd April 1943)
- Simpson Joseph William. Flying Officer (d.3rd April 1943)
- Thompson John David. Gnr. (d.3rd April 1943)
- Webb Robert Charles Henry. Sergeant (d.3rd April 1943)
- Williams Ernest. Sergeant (d.3rd April 1943)
The names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed,
please
Add a Name to this List
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Want to know more about the 3rd of April 1943? There are:22 items tagged 3rd of April 1943 available in our Library
These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Second World War. |
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Stories from 3rd April 1943
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Sergeant Robert Charles Henry Webb. RAF, 106 Squadron. (d.3rd April 1943) I am currently trying to write a small book about my uncle, Sgt R.C.H.Webb and crew who were shot down over Germany in a Lanc from 106 Sqdn on the 3rd April 1943. All lost their lives.
The book is for my family to pass on so that these airmen never be forgot and their bravery will always be remembered.
I was wondering if anyone could help me with any info.
Lanc ED 542:
Sgt T.J. Ridd, Pilot
Sgt R.C.H.Webb, F/Eng
P/O J.W.Simpson, Navigator
P/O A.C.Palmer, Bomb /Aimer
Sgt A.Burson, Wireless/Op
Sgt R.S.Sabell, Mid Upper Gunner
Sgt E.Williams, Rear Gunner
Kevin Barrow
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Sgt George Edward Gadd. Royal Air Force, 101 Squadron. (d.3rd April 1943) George Gadd was mid upper gunner on Lancaster Bomber W I4923 from RAF Ludford Magna. He was killed by flak 3rd of April 1943 in a raid over Essen in Germany. The rear gunner and one other crew member were also killed. The pilot managed to get the plane back to England, RAF Holme on Spalding in the Moor, although it was severely damaged. They returned safely at 0335 albeit badly damaged by Flak.
The story was told in several newspapers at the time although unfortunately we have lost the copies.
George told my father on a previous leave that he knew that their chances of survival were very small and that it was almost taboo in the mess to ask after a missing face.
The tragedy was that our parents went up to Yorkshire, arriving by bus. They thought George was at the bus stop. On arrival it was the Padre with news of his death. They were not allowed to see the body.
George is buried in Dunstable cemetery.
He started work in typewriter repairs and then at AC Sphinx Dunstable.
He made a name in amateur boxing, topping the bill on one occasion.
George was engaged to Lilian Smith (one of 4 daughters of the local farmer) while at RAF Holme on Spalding in the Moor. She became a friend of the family for some time after George's death. Several times I went and worked on their farm in Yorkshire. She eventually married a South African diamond magnate.
My parents suffered in that George's brother John volunteered at the age of 17, becoming first a mid-shipman and then sub lieutenant on Landing Tank Craft. Fortunately he survived the war.
On Dday his was the third ship with tanks to land. The first tank slued sideways on the exit board. The army commander gave the order for the second tank to push the first into the sea so the other tanks could land! I do not know if the tank crew drowned or survived.
I was very proud of both of my brothers. John started work at Leighton Buzzard Gas Board as an apprentice. He worked his way up to becoming Chairman of the North Thames Gas Board. He was awarded the C.B.E. in 1988 and died in 1995.
Phil Gadd
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Gnr. John David Thompson. British Army, 74th Medium Regiment Royal Artillery. (d.3rd April 1943) John Thompson was killed in action in North Africa on Saturday, 3rd of April 1943 in the hills around Beja. He was twenty four years of age. He left behind his childhood sweetheart Olive, whom he married in 1938 and two daughters, Dawn aged three years and Patricia aged three months old.
The day gunner Thompson was killed was warm and sunny according to the war diary of the commanding officer. My father was apparently in a hide when a German plane appeared over the crest of the hill and machine gunned the battery. He is buried in the Medjez el Bab War Cemetery.
Patricia Thompson Jesson
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