RICHARDSON, Robert William


1874495. Sergeant (Air Gunner), Robert William RICHARDSON
Aged 21


626 Squadron, R.A.F.V.R.
Killed in Action on Tuesday, 23rd May 1944

Robert William RICHARDSON was born on 9th November 1922 (Linton Q4-1922 3B:672), baptised in Balsham on 7th January 1923 son of James William and Rebecca RICHARDSON (née BIGGS) .

In the 1939 register none of them have been identified.




RAF Wickenby in 1945 -long runway E-W along bottom



'Bomber Command Losses' Vol.5 - W R. Chorley:-
Robert was an air gunner in 626 Squadron. He was aboard Avro Lancaster MkIII, ser.no.NE118- c/s UM-U2 for a raid on Dortmund. They took off from RAF Wickenby (8 miles NE of Lincoln) at 22:37 hrs and crashed in Holland at Asten (Noord-Brabant 10 km south east from the centre of Helmond.
Crew: Flt Sgt E Grisdale RAF Pilot - evaded, returned Hendon 13/9/1944..author of "One of Many"
Sgt R A Sindall RAF Flight Engineer - PoW Luft 7 No.53
Fg Off J B Morritt RCAF Navigator - Killed in Action
Flt Sgt R H Punter RCAF Bomb Aimer - evaded, returned Hendon 13/9/1944
Sgt I A Prestwell RAF Wireless Operator - Killed in Action
Sgt R J Turtle RAF Mid Upper Gunner - PoW Lut 7 No.65
Sgt R W Richardson RAF Rear Gunner - Killed in Action


The three killed airman were taken to Venlo for burial but later moved to Jonkerbos War Cemetery on 21st October 1947.
One account puts the crash site
"Go along Behelp lane towards the canal, passing two streams, along the left side of the second stream is a path and 150 metres along is where parts of the aircraft were recovered.

The account unfortunately does not say in which direction to go from the street, ( except for "pass two streams").

there is a more detailed account of the mission - www.roll-of-honour.com/Cambridgeshire/BalshamBobRichardson.html


Here is the book written by Eric Grisdale, the pilot - www.oneofmanyraf.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/one-of-many-feb-15.pdf





photo: Richard Schoutissen | Stichting Oorlogsslachtoffers


Robert was first buried in the German cemetery at Venlo (Dr. Blumenkampstraat, behind the St. Joseph hospital),Row 33, Grave 419 and re-interred in Junkersbos on 21st October 1947



photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission



Robert Richardson is buried in Jonkerbos War Cemetery, Netherlands grave 12:C:9

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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