Sgt. Cyril "Titch" Bayford
Royal Air Force 57 Sqdn.
from:Bishops Stortford
(d.11th November 1944)
My father, Sgt. Cyril Bayford of Bishops Stortford Herts. He was a Lancaster tail gunner with 57th Sqdn at East Kikby. His final mission was November 11th 1944 He was in Lancaster DX-H (LL-939). The Lancaster took off from East Kirkby at 16:54 and was hit by flak over Harburg at 19:27, finally crashing at Beckdorf at 19:45 hours. Any information would be greatly appreciated as I was just one month old when he was lost in action. I know so little about him and any information would be welcome.
After many years of research, in 2008 I was able to find the crash location site and with the help of the state archaeologist and an eye witness to the crash, in 2009 we were able to excavate the crash site and found literally hundred of items. We even found the pilot's wrist watch strap. The rest of the items were sent back to the original airfield at East Kirkby, Lincs and are now on display at the museum there.
From Chorley's Bomber Command Losses 1944:11/12 Nov 1944, 57 Sqn, Avro Lancaster I, Serial No. LL939, Code DX-H, Op: Hamburg.
F/O S Bowden, Pilot (died) Sgt AC Brett, Flight Engineer (died) Sgt LW Nagley (pow) F/S SC Alidis (pow) Sgt JA McLaughlin, Wireless Operator/Airgunner(died) F/S FC Green, Airgunner (died) Sgt C Bayford, Airgunner (died) Took off 1654 East Kirkby. Hit by flak and crash-landed circa 1927 near Beckdorf, 8 km SSW from Buxtehude. On the first impact one engine and the rear turret were torn away, the rest of the Lancaster bouncing back into the air and flying on for over a km before smashing back to earth. The two survivors are believed to have baled out, as did Sgt Brett but his parachute failed to deploy. He lies in Becklingen War Cemetery, while the others who died are buried in Hamburg Cemetery, Ohlsdorf. (David Burnham)
