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9th May 1945On this day:
If you can provide any additional information, please add it here.
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Remembering those who died this day.
- Adams R A. Sgt. (d.9th May 1945)
- Ball William L.. Pte. (d.9th May 1945)
- Ball William Leonard. Pte. (d.9th May 1945)
- Campbell Patrick Archibald Tomlin William Betts. Lt (d.9th May 1945)
- Hinkins George. PO. (d.9th May 1945)
- Mogyorosi George E. Pte (d.9th May 1945)
- Parkin Owen. Pte. (d.9th May 1945)
- Thompson Albert George. Cpl. (d.9th May 1945)
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 9th of May 1945? There are:11 items tagged 9th of May 1945 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 9th May 1945
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PO. George Hinkins. Royal Navy, HMS Formidable. (d.9th May 1945) My dad, PO George Hinkins was on HMS Formidable from 6 January 1942 until he was killed by a Kamikaze on 9 May 1945. At a reunion a few years ago I was told the full story of his death and how he saved a
number of young sailors lives by sending them away from the gun and into
shelter behind the island. Unfortunately the Kamikaze hit the ship and
killed my father who had continued to fire the gun single handed until the
plane hit. Captain Ruckean's only entry about my Dad's death was
(Satisfactory) which I find rather insulting to his memory.
Now I am retired I am aware of his death more than at any time in my life
and I am applying to the First Sea Lord for some kind of recognition for my
father and the brave and selfless way in wish he died. Any information I can get to put to the First Sea Lord to support my application would be
appreciated. I never thought about any award for my father until the reunion I attended and was told by some of the men that my dad saved that he should have had a medal so now I am trying for my Fathers memory to get him justice. Can any one help me in my quest? David Albert Hinkins
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Pte. William L. Ball. British Army, The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey). (d.9th May 1945) My Uncle Bill Ball was a POW for most of the war at Stalag 8 and when he was liberated in 1945 he was killed in a plane crash on his way home.Dave Ball
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Sgt. R A Adams. British Army, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. (d.9th May 1945) Sgt R.A. Adams from the Royal Warwickshire Regiment was among those killed in an air crash on the 9th May 1945. The aircraft a Lancaster Bomber III, RF230-JI-B, from 514 Squadron was detailed to take part in Operation "Exodus “, the evacuation of ex-prisoners of war.
In addition to the crew of the bomber there were 24 army POW’s, ranging from private to captain from various regiments, as well as a lieutenant in the U.S.A.A.F, who was not on the manifest.
All the names of the aircrew and ex-POWs on board the aircraft are listed below.
Aircraft Crew Members.
- D. Beaton F/Lt.
- A. McMurrugh F/Sgt.
- R.B. Hilchey F/Off. RCAF
- J.G. Brittain F/Sgt.
- R.M. Toms P/Off. RCAF
- O.C. Evers P/Off. RCAF
List of POWS on board aircraft.
- Name. Regiment or Corps. Camp. Pow.No.Army No. Rank. Born.
- R.W. Wheeler Royal Engineers 07B 340 85759 Capt. Kent
- P.A.T. Campbell Royal West Kent Regt. 07B 224 124175 Lt. Southend-on-Sea
- E.T.T. Snowdon Royal Artillery 07B 1123 94190 Lt. West London
- R. A. Adams. Royal Warwickshire 344 12497 5111739. Sgt. Coventry
- E. L. Belshaw. East Surrey Regt 383 6774 2650397 Cpl. Wigan
- A. G. Thompson Worcestershire Regt. 344 6259 5253245 Cpl. Worcester
- G.W. Franks Kings Royal Rifle 8B 2584 6844798 L/Cpl. London
- H. Cummings Lancashire Fusiliers 344 35265 3461448 Fus. Salford
- O. Parkin Lancashire Fusiliers 21D 4948 3448706 Fus.
- J. Roe Irish Guards 8B 3308 2719806 Gdsm Birmingham
- A.J.S. Crowe Royal Artillery 7A 125860 840450 Gunner Preston
- A. N. Labotake SAA Gunner
- W.L. Lindhelmer PAL
- M. Maschit PAL
- T. Anderson Cameron Highlanders 7A 137173 2940187 Pte. Glasgow
- W. L. Ball Queens Royal Regt 8B 7289 804169 Pte. Ashford,Mx
- S.J. Bayston Green Howards 7A 4751822 Pte. London
- R.A. Betton K.S.L.I. 344 139030 4032985 Pte. Shropshire
- R.E. Clark Royal Scots 7A 14286 5954856 Pte. Bedfordshire
- W. Croston Pioneer Corps 8B 3737 2185985 Pte. Salford
- R. Danson East Surrey Regt 7A 135108 3392078 Pte. Lancashire
- R. Turnbull Durham Light Inf 8B 35785 4451208 Pte. Gateshead
- P. Yates Leicestershire Regt 07B 83763 14208422 Pte. London. SW
- T.J. Edwards Rfn.
The Lancaster took off at 0726 on the 9th May 1945 for the continent from Waterbeach and commenced the return flight from Juvincourt in France at 1215 hours.
A message giving their time of arrival was received at his base at 1219 from the pilot, shortly afterwards the pilot reported he was experiencing trouble with the controls and was putting back to Juvincourt. But a further message sent by the aircraft at 1225 stated that it was making a forced landing. Flares were fired off from an airfield on route indicating permission to land to which no acknowledgment was received.
At 1230 hours this aircraft was seen by a number of witnesses on the ground to approach Roye Ami airfield from the west at a height of 10,000 feet. After circling the airfield twice the aircraft was seen to go into a steep bank to port, before going into a flat spin and crashing into the ground one mile east of Roye Ami.
On investigation into the crash, it was not possible to account for the necessity for a forced landing, as the aircraft seemed to be fully serviceable or to establish definitely the cause of the crash, which must therefore remain obscure. The position of the passengers to the rear of the fuselage however indicated that the aircraft may have been tail heavy, this could have resulted in the pilot finding the aircraft to be dangerously heavy and believing that there was something seriously wrong with the aircraft, he prepared to make a force landing at the nearest airfield, where he lost control and crashed. But whether their incorrect positions were assumed before or after difficulties arose when the aircraft became out of control could not be determined.
All the passengers and crew lost their lives and were buried at Clichy Northern Cemetery, which is on the northern boundary of Paris.
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Pte George E Mogyorosi. , . (d.9th May 1945) Held as a Prisoner in Fukuoka 3b.
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Cpl. Albert George Thompson. British Army, 7th Btn. Worcestershire Regiment. (d.9th May 1945) My father-in-law was killed in the crash of Lancaster RF 230 (514 Squadron) which happened on 9th May 1945 near Roye Ami, France. It was bringing home POW officers who had been liberated.Ian Le Sueur
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Pte. William Leonard Ball. British Army, 1st Battalion Queens Royal Regiment . (d.9th May 1945) William Ball was my uncle, who died in an aircrash in Lancaster RF230 JI-B just after take of in France along with 24 POWs and 6 aircrew. He is buried in Paris. Anthony Ball
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Pte. Owen Parkin. British Army, 8th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers . (d.9th May 1945) Killed returning home.
Private Owen Parkin of Lower Broughton, Salford. 8th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers
Having joined his local Territorial army unit based on Cross Lane, Salford, Owen, a joiner by trade was called up and packed off to France to join the BEF.
The battalion was stationed at Rumigies on the "Gort Line" 7 miles N/E of St Amand on 9th of February 1940. At 0200 hrs on the 11th of May 1940 the 8th Lancashire Fusiliers crossed the start line marching to R.V. on the River Dyle, 2 miles North of Warve. Holding in depth a front of about 1,500 yards and positioned at the last remaining bridge at Bas Warve, with orders to blow it should enemy A.F.V.s attempt to cross.
After days of shelling and attacks from the air, orders were received early morning to blow the last remaining bridge.
At 2230 hrs enemy launched an attack trying to cross the river. Artillery put down defensive fire, light machine guns on a fixed line repulsed the attack and for the next 10 days were in constant battles, holding ground until battalion HQ was shelled and set on fire retreating on the 27th and the following day the Brigade had orders to defend the 'last ditch'; the canal about 1 mile from the coast while the evacuation of Dunkirk was taking place.
After holding the Germans back, repelling repeated attacks, their unit was surrounded and could not move having used up all available ammunition. The decision was made to put their futures in the hands of the German troops.
The following 3 months were spent on a forced march to Stallag XX1D in Posen, Poland. Nothing was heard by his family during this time and it was thought he had been killed in action.
It was September before the family received news that he had been captured and taken P.o.W. The family rejoiced. Although he was a prisoner, he was alive and would be able to return home afterwards.
Correspondence continued for the next 4 years but from July 1944 nothing else was heard from him or any of his fellow prisoners. The Russians were tearing the Germans to pieces and fears were they had been caught up in the fighting
By Christmas, and without news for 6 months, the family were once more fully expecting he had been killed and preparing themselves for the worst. The Allies were making big steps towards Berlin and 5 months later all hope of Owen returning home had faded.
On 8th of May 1945 the Germans surrendered. V.E DAY celebrations were in full flow but Owen's family were also in turmoil. Grandad's youngest brother was 20 when he left for France and would have been 25 now. Not knowing if they would ever get to find out what had happened to him or even where his final resting place was, was torture.
All this changed and celebrations could really begin the following day 9th of May 1945.
A telegram arrived at 11 am stating, he had been found by American troops and would be immediately repatriated as part of operation Exodus.
He was coming home! The party could finally begin. He was to arrive by train in Manchester later that evening.
The whole family gathered in anticipation and tears of joy were everywhere. His girlfriend collapsed on hearing the news after twice fearing the worst.
All family and friends were gathering that evening at Grandad's house. Having waited 5 years they were expecting his arrival any time.
Time passed and by midnight someone went to the Barracks to enquire about his whereabouts. They had nothing to offer.
Over the next 8 hours the numbers dwindled, each promising to return on his arrival.
The waiting continued all through the day. Once more, sickening anxiety filled the stomachs. It was 7 am the following morning when news came. A telegram informed them, on the flight home all 24 long term PoWs along with the air crew had been killed when the plane crashed at Roye Amy.
A tragic accident. 24 families would have endured the 5 years of torture and suffered the same cruel twisted nightmare our family went through.
A family at war. The waiting game.
Stephen Parkin
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