Halifax Memorial in Wallingford Oxfordshire

**airfields man** · 16-02-2009, 23:43

**kebecker** · 17-02-2009, 03:56

J A Wilding from New York City 426 Sqd returning from raid on Le Harve: Halifax MP681 crashed but only after some of the crew had bailed out

Wilding was awarded the DFC

**50sqnwop/ag** · 17-09-2009, 23:13

Were they trying to make RAF Benson? Or did it just happen to come down nearby the station?

M

**airfields man** · 19-09-2009, 10:18

The crash happened just after take-off, the pilot realised that the plane was in trouble and ordered the crew to bale out. Five did, the flight engineer,Sergeant Frank Andrew remained at his post and was killed along with the pilot Flying Officer John Wilding when they crashed in to a field after steering themselves away from the town. The memorial is situated at the junction of Wilding road and Andrew road.

**norfolk-boy** · 06-06-2012, 20:24

No....I had to put you right. The crash did not happen just after take-off!
The crew had been on a sortie to Le Havre where the mission was called off. The Halifax was damaged by enemy fire and caught fire and crashed just outside Oxford. The pilot and Flight Engineer, the latter being a realtive of mine, stayed at the controls to guide the plane away from the town of Wallingford, thereby saving many lives. Both were killed.

More information can be found on the Wallingford town website...

http://www.wallingford.co.uk/files/w...ience_book.pdf

Thank you for giving me the chance to put this straight!

**airfields man** · 06-06-2012, 21:09

My sincere apologise to kebecker, and to you norfolk-boy for my false information concerning this tragic crash. I read about this many years ago from a book that I have which list's various crash-site memorials, seems that the story relating to this monument was incorrect. Glad to now know the full fact's. Best wishes. Paul.

**spuduka** · 10-09-2012, 15:08

I went to the Memorial on Sunday, it was good apart from one arsehole who managed to trap himself in his car behind the Honour guard and wanted to get by then started getting abusive at every one. Twat needed a punch in the gob.
Ive written a blog on this which can be seen here.

http://spuduka..........co.uk/2012/0...g-sargent.html