Wellington at East Moor.

The crew of this Wellington were begining taking off from East Moor for a raid on Essen at 19.18 hrs on the 5th March 1943. The aircraft was the sixth to take off, all were taking off in quick succession. The aircraft crashed almost immediately, near Thrush House Farm just off the airfield. Sadly one of the crew was killed. An engine failure was to blame although the pilot had raised the undercarriage too early. The crew were:

Pilot - F/S Robert F Conroy RCAF, of Middle Stewiacke, of Colchester County, Nova Scotia, Canada. Injured. Joined 429 Sqdn from RAFS Wellesbourne on 3 Dec 1942.

Nav - Sgt Ernest (Ernie) M Bell RCAF, aged 22, of Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada. Buried Sutton on the Forest Cemetery, Yorkshire. Joined 429 Sqdn from RAFS Wellesbourne on 3 Dec 1942.

BA - Sgt George R Densmore RCAF, of Brookfield, Nova Scotia, Canada. Injured. Joined 429 Sqdn from RAFS Wellesbourne on 3 Dec 1942.

W Op / Air Gunner - Sgt J Boles RAF. Injured.

Rear Gunner - Sgt James Burns RCAF, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Injured. Joined 429 Sqdn from RAFS Wellesbourne on 3 Dec 1942.

Sgt Bell was buried with full military honours on the 8th of March along with Sgt Black (another East Moor airman killed on Ops). Another website gives some information into Sgt Ernie Bell's death it "was the first that was visible to the squadron. The Squdron would have to bury Ernie Bell. Jack Kerr had first met Ernie Bell on his trip from Regina to Montreal, after his embarkation leave, and with his P/O's uniform still brand new. Jack sat opposite a young laddie, blue eyed, blond hair and likeable, talkative little fellow as well. Jack and Ernie chateed about various things, they had alot in common. Ernie was a Sgt. Observer, just graduated from Rivers, and on his way to Montreal, his home. Jack ran into Ernie again at Halifax. Ernie and Jack travelled to England on the same ship, they chatted frequently, Ernie spent most of his time complaining about the food. Jack, being an officer ate in a different mess than Ernie a Sergeant." "On 8 March 1943 the Bisons buried their first casualties at home. The squadron padre, F/L H.G. Lowry served the funeral at 3 Sutton-On-The-Forest's village church, All Hallows. Padre Lowry was assisted by the parish priest Father Canon Coombs. At midday the bodies were interred at the local cemetary in Huby Road with full military honours. The Honour Guard, of course, was made up of personnel from 429 Squadron. To this point casualties had been almost impersonel. "

F/Sgt Conroy and his crew, whether it was this crew listed above I do not yet know.

Densmore and Burns, together with Conroy were shot down in Wellington HE593 on the 12th of June 1943, the latter evaded capture, the rest of his crew were sadly killed.