FO Geoffrey O’Connell. Son of William Maximus O’Connell and Minnie O’Connell, of Gayles. Buried at St Peter and St Felix Churchyard, Yorkshire

We have the crash report and have found the top of the battery cover when metal detecting in our woods.

Armstrong Whitworth Whitley, 296SQ: December 8th 1942

Aircraft BD556 was an Armstrong Whitworth Whitley Mark V, British heavy bomber. it was one of 62 such aircraft delivered by Armstrong Whitley , Baginton, between June and August of 1942. It was part of 296 squadron. On the 8th of December 1942, the aircraft became lost and crashed along the edge of the beech trees at Penton Mewsey.
08-12-42. BD556. Whitley V 296SQ  cr Sidown Hill Burghclere

F/O Geoffrey O’Connell RAF
66500
Age 22

F/O Robert Ewert NZAF

New Zealand pilot from Rotarua
ROBERT LESLIE EWERT
Flying Officer
NZ414383

Tuesday, December 8, 1942. Age 26

http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C23687

Sgt Egbert Waterman RAF

EGBERT JULIAN WATERMAN
Sergeant W.Op./Air Gnr.
1380183
Tuesday, December 8, 1942
ANDOVER CEMETERY

FS John Westfield
JOHN ELI WESTFIELD
Flight Sergeant
920868
Tuesday, December 8, 1942
Age 23
LEYTONSTONE (ST. PATRICK’S) ROMAN CATHOLIC CEMETERY
Plot A. Row 2. Grave 299.

296 SQ

More Than Just A Name By Frank Bull, Chris Bonnett, Steve Adamson
The squadron’s principal role was to tow glider borne troops into action, and as such, took part in the invasions of Sicily and Normandy. The squadron also dropped agents into occupied Europe and supplies to the Resistance.

Air Battle for Arnhem By Alan W Cooper
In support of the D-Day landings, 296SQ dropped parachutists and then later during the siege to Caen and Brest, towed gliders.

Squadron Number: 296 Summary of Events: Y

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C2504287

Story Piece: Fragments of War: Stories from Survivors of World War II By Joyce Hibbert