No.3000688, Sergeant (Flt Engineer) Maurice Archibald Victor BAREHAM
Aged 19
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Maurice Archibald Victor Bareham was born in Clare (Risbridge Q3-1925 4A:1495), son of Ebenezer Stephen Victor and Edith BAREHAM
(née CHAPMAN).
His parents were at 8 Common Street, Clare with his brother Russell BAREHAM [10] in 1939. |
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1 November 1944. Oberhausen: 288 aircraft - 202 Halifaxes, 74 Lancasters, 12 Mosquitos - of 6 and 8 Groups. 3 Halifaxes and 1 Lancaster
lost. The crews were over the target at between 17,000 and 21,000 feet, releasing 1,979,000 lbs of high explosives and 379,000 lbs of
incendiaries. The target was cloud covered and the attack was scattered. F/O D. Magee was hit by flak. There was severe damage to the starboard outer engine, wings, fins, rudders and fuselage. The Flt/Engineer, Sgt. M. Bareham, was fatally wounded despite the crews efforts to care for him. On landing at Woodbridge, the Halifax swung and the under carriage collapsed damaging it further. The crew escaped further injuries. Woodbridge was an emergency landing ground with an extra long and wide runway, close to the coast, so ideal for returning damaged aircraft. Still to find the actual aircraft details, but as it apparently was not written off, this may prove difficult. The Suffolk Free Press of 16th November 1944 had:- Clare residents turned out in large numbers on Tuesday to pay their last respects to a Clare lad of 19 years, he is the first of local members of the A.T.C. to give his life in service of his country, he was Sgt Maurice Bareham, the eldest son of Mr and Mrs Victor Bareham of 4 Common Street, Clare, he lost his life in air operations while serving his country with the Royal Canadian Air Force as Flight Engineer, he joined the R.A.F. as a aircrew candidate in December 1943, prior to joining up he was employed at Thompson's garage and later on at an air station. He had only been posted to the squadron 6 days earlier, so it may well have been his first operational flight.
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
