DEDICATION TO THE GROUND CREWS
On the 9th of September 1944, an accident happened when the ground crew of 156 squadron were removing the bomb load from Lancaster III ND978 GT At 11.20 the bombs load exploded killing 6 people. Lancaster ND978 GT brought back the bomb load from le Havre due to most hazardous circumstances, flown by Squadron CO W/C/ T L Bingham-hall DFC.
The men Killed while serving our country were:
156 Squadron Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
Cpl. William Edward Gill... AGE 25
Cpl. James Albert Mole... AGE 29
LAC Herbert Bromley Jones... AGE 33
LAC James Frederick Thompson... AGE 42
ACI James Ellis... AGE 23
9156 Servicing Ech. LAC Thomas Edward Henry Graham... AGE 25
Sgt. N. Piercy was injured during the explosion
The memorial service held at the site of the accident on 12th September 1944
The memorial service held at the site
of the accident on the 12th September 1944
Many thanks to Michael Mole (son of Cpl. James Albert Mole) for all the information and photographs on this page.
In
Memory of
WILLIAM EDWARD GILL
Corporal
1020043
156 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on
Saturday 9th September 1944. Age 30.
In
Memory of
JAMES ALBERT MOLE
Corporal
1182706
156 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on
Saturday 9th September 1944. Age 29.
In
Memory of
HERBERT BROMLEY JONES
Leading Aircraftman
1229734
156 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on
Saturday 9th September 1944.
In
Memory of
JAMES FREDERICK THOMPSON
Leading Aircraftman
1638282
156 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on
Saturday 9th September 1944. Age 42.
In
Memory of
JAMES ELLIS
Aircraftman 1st Class
1528092
156 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on
Saturday 9th September 1944. Age 23.
In
Memory of
THOMAS EDWARD HENRY GRAHAM
Leading Aircraftman
915349
9156 Servicing Ech., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on
Saturday 9th September 1944. Age 25.
Michael and Richard Mole laying a wreath
70 years later
9th September 2014
Richard and Michael Mole laying a wreath at 11.20am 70
years after the accident 9th September 2014
Richard and Michael at the accident site
James Mole Grave stone at High Wycombe
