help wanted to find out more about sqn/unit 1663cu.a halifax bomber that crashed 7/11/1943 in village of ryehill about six miles east of tuam, co.galway ireland, as villagers want put up memorial. thanking you. anthony.
No. 1663 Heavy Conversion Unit was based at Rufforth in Yorkshire. It formed on 2/3/43 and continued until 28/5/45.
It was a sub station to Marston Moor and the task of the Unit was to convert crews coming from Operational Training Units to fly the 4 engined Halifax bomber, when their previous experience had usually only been on twin engined aircraft. The first commander of the Unit was Wing Commander Peter Dobson DFC who had previously served with 76 and 102 Squadrons and went on to command 158 Squadron.
EB134 was a Halifax V aircraft attached to 1663 HCU. On the night in question, 3 aircraft crash landed at Rufforth putting all the runways out of action. As a result the aircraft was divereted to land at Marston Moor some 5 miles away. For some reason it finished up in Ireland as you know killing all when it crashed. The station log book was endorsed 'Aircraft went off course and in spite of all assistance, searchlight homing etc, it just disappeared'
Although it was not possible to carry out a formal investigation due to the neutrality issue, the investigating officer drew the conclusion that the aircraft had steered a reciprocal course on the compass.
If you have any specific questions about 1663 HCU please ask and I (and others0 will try to help.
I noticed your enquiry on the net about the halifax crash. Are you the lady seeking information aqbout Robert Mair Clark RAF ?. I am a friend of a gentleman named Joe O' Loughlin in Belleek Northern Ireland, and he has requested me to try and find out details of a halifax crash in Galway for a lady with your name. If you are the lady, can you reply to my e.mail address giving details that you require, and giving any information you already have to assist me in my enquiries on your behalf. If you are not the lady who has asked Joe to help you, you can still contact me with any enquiries you are making and if I come across anything that may assist you i will mail it on to you. Regards. LES.
from the Irish Army file on this crash and the CWGC website the crew list was:
F/Lt. George Hilton Sansome + RAAF
Sgt. Allan S Johnston + RAAF
W/O Norman W Gardner + RCAF
F/Lt Anthony J. Gallagher + RAAF
Sgt. Edgar W Camp +
Sgt. Leslie H Wildman +
Sgt. Robert Mair Clark +
I didn't get to look at the file that day in great detail but will at a later date. The crew were identified from their pay books and ID disks. The wreckage was handed over the border on November 17th.
To follow up, Anne has published her excellent article in the Journal Of the Old Tuam Society in December. Visiting their website, you can contact them if you wish to obtain a copy of the Journal.
Sorry Anne if you were going to post this yourself.
thank you all that help me for information on plane crash,
it crashed at the back of the house i live in,
anthony riggs,
ryehill.
lavally,
tuam,
co.galway
ireland tel.353 87 9709799
Hi all,
The Old Tuam Society and the Lavally community are erecting a plaque and memorial garden near to the crash of Halifax bomber EB134, which crashed on 7/11/1943 killing all seven crew. As Dennis has said the article was published in our 2006 Journal. The unveiling of the plaque will be on 5th August 2007, with many dignities attending, which include Anne Plunkett Australian Ambassador to Ireland, Canadian, British representatives, Air Crew Association of Dublin and Northern Ireland, British Legion, Wing Commander David Stubbs OBE, Military , and including some of the crew’s families who will be travelling overseas for the event. All are welcome to attend this event to remember these young men who last their lives, while on training exercise from 1663 HCU Rufforth York England. We hope to have this event televised and national newspaper coverage.
Anne