Meerhout, De Donken, Belgium - Crash Wellington

Wellington HE164-HD - 466 Squadron departed from Leconfield air base on a mission to Köln, Germany,  crashed in Meerhout on 14 February 1943.

On 14th February 2020 a commemoration of Valentine's Night 1943 was held at De Vleugel war memorial in De Donken. That night - 77 years ago - a Royal Air Force Wellington bomber was taken down by the German occupiers above De Donken.

Three crew members: F/Lt. William Kirk, pilot, 23, his co-pilot F/O Edward Mason, 29, and F/Sgt William Smith, 21, were left dead in the burnt-out hull. They were buried on the Schoonselhof in Antwerp, three crew members survived the crash.


SMITH, WILLIAM EDWARD  Flight Sergeant, 1289965, 466 sqd

Royal Air Force, United Kingdom, Killed in action

Buried: SCHOONSELHOF CEMETERY


KIRK, WILLIAM JOHN RENNIE  Flight Lieutenant, 42007, 466 sqd

Royal Air Force, United Kingdom, Killed in action

Buried: SCHOONSELHOF CEMETERY


MASON, JOHN EDWARD  Flying Officer, 123834, 466 sqd

Royal Air Force, United Kingdom, Killed in action

Buried: SCHOONSELHOF CEMETERY


BENTLEY R E  Sergeant, 466 sqd

Royal Air Force, United Kingdom, 

Prisoner of War

REYNOLDS T W  Sergeant, 466 sqd

Royal Air Force, United Kingdom, 

Prisoner of War

LEONARD N A  Sergeant, 1259430, 466 sqd

Royal Air Force, United Kingdom, 

Prisoner of War