Hamont Stirling

Memorial Stirling EF-366

Departed from air-base Oakington at 00.07h in the night of 21-22 June 1943. Shot down and crashed at 01.35h in Hamont-Achel. Their order was to mark a way point at the south east of the Dutch town of Eindhoven. After that turning point the main force of the bomber fleet had to carry out a bombing raid on the German town of Krefeld.

 

Together with the pilot, the Australian, Flying Officer Robert Bruce Meiklejohn, the Navigator Charles Redwood from New Zealand, died that night in the crash. Both are buried in Heverlee War Cemetery.

 

Crew of the Stirling EF-366:

- Navigator Charles Redwood (RNZAF), 31, New Zealand, KIA

- Bomb Aimer Frank Hugo (RAF), UK: landed safely with his parachute in Neerpelt.  Captured in Paris by the Germans during his escape.

- Wireless Operator Les Ellingham, (RAF), UK, landed safely near the crash point.  Captured in Paris by the Germans during his escape.

- Pilot Robert Bruce Meiklejohn(RAAF), 21, Australian, KIA

- Mid-upper Gunner Jack Killfoyle (RAF), UK, heavily injured during his parachute landing.  Captured by the Germans, through the railway station of Achel-Statie to the military hospital of Leopoldsburg. Thereafter he remained prisoner of war for the duration of the war.

- Flight Engineer Bill Cole (RAF), UK. landed safely with his parachute in Neerpelt.  Captured in Paris by the Germans during his escape

- Tail Gunner Edgar Brown (RNZAF), New Zealand. He got heavily injured during his parachute landing close to the area of the crash.  Captured by the Germans, through the railway station of Achel-Statie to the military hospital of Leopoldsburg. Thereafter he remained prisoner of war for the duration of the war.