Memorial to victims of Second World War plane crash to take pride of place in Wythall - The Solihull Observer

Memorial to victims of Second World War plane crash to take pride of place in Wythall

Solihull Editorial 18th Sep, 2019 Updated: 19th Sep, 2019   0

A MEMORIAL is set to take pride of place in Wythall to remember the victims of a horrific plane crash during the Second World War.

On October 2, David Nash alongside family and friends of the six soldiers who were on board as well as Wythall residents will be at the unveiling of the plaque to the young servicemen at Highfield Farm.

David’s dad, John was just ten years old when he witnesses the crash and still remembers it now.

John, now aged 77 recalls the crash and running to the terrible scene to help as two Canadian airmen pulled their fellow comrades, who were dead or dying, from the burning wreckage.




The tribute will stand in memory of the soldiers, all aged under 21, who were heading home on January 9 1942, after a raid over Nazi-occupied France when the Wellington bomber’s engine failed.

The quick-thinking pilot headed for RAF Wythall to land but couldn’t as there was no runway and instead he crash-landed into the Middle Lane farm hitting an oak tree and the plane became engulfed in flames.


The crew of the Wellington II W5356 of No. 12 Squadron were Sergeant Doug Butterworth aged 20, from Rochdale, Sergeant Brian Franklin aged 21, from Gloucester, Sergeant Charles Morrey aged 20, from Barnsley, Sergeant Bud Cable aged 28 from Canada, pilot officer Bill Breck aged 19 from Canada and pilot officer Bunny Burnham aged 21 from New Zealand.

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