AMES, Harold Victor


No.1461233, F/Sgt (Wireless Operator), Harold Victor AMES
Aged 24
his medal awards are not known
R.A.F.V.R. No. 7 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit
Died in Flying Accident on Friday, 29th December 1944

Harold Victor Ames was born in Soham on 22nd November 1920, (Newmarket Q4-1920 3B:848), at 16 Mill Croft, Soham, son of Walter and Kate AMES(née BAILEY). His family were in Clay Street, Soham in 1911.

He started his apprenceship as a compositor in Soham but when he was 17 both his parents died and he went to live in Welwyn Garden City with his brother and sister in law, Mr & Mrs.William Job AMES.

In the 1939 register his brother Willian J [12-1-1909] a printer monotype keyboard operator and wife Ivy M [15-2-1907] were at 34 Barnfield Road, Welwyn Garden City together with Henry and Marie BOURNE. There is one closed record.

He was employed by Broadwater Press. He was one of the original members of the L.D.V. in Welwyn prior to being called up.

Probate has " AMES Harold Victor of 34 Barnfield-Road Welwyn Garden City Hertfordshire died 29 December 1944 on war service.... Administration Llandudno 26 July to William Job Ames monotype operator. Effects £182 19s. 2d.".

Additional family and photographs are courtesy of Nigel Webb whose grandmother Ivy was Harold's sister.


Harold was killed on 29th December 1944 whilst the crew member of Avro Anson LT431 of No. 7 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit ( from RAF Bishops Court) which while low flying, hit a tree and crashed at Crossgar, County Down, Ireland.
The Ulster Aviation Society have the following on record :

"The above aircraft, from No 7(O) Advanced Flying Unit based at RAF Bishopscourt, was participating in a low-level cross country exercise when it struck a tree and crashed into a hill at Abbey View near Crossgar (Irish Grid reference J433543), killing all five crew. The pilot, Flight Sergeant (Temporary) E J Sweeting, was indulging in very low flying prior to the crash and had previously been reduced in rank for a similar, unauthorised offence."

The crew were;- F/Sgt E.J. Sweeting (pilot); W/O J.Pattinson (nav.); F/Sgt H.V.Ames (Wop); AC2 A. Pryor (u/t Wop) and AC2 A.Sorqatz (u/t Wop). Only Harold was buried in Ardglass, the rest were returned to their home towns.




3 airmen who stayed in Ireland, Harold, and The Hill




A restored Anson Mk 1 in 2012 in New Zealand






photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission



Harold Ames is buried in Ardglass (St Nicholas) Church of Ireland Churchyard, grave 3
also commemorated on the Welwyn Garden City war memorial

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


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