Godmanchester Stirling Memorial

Date: 10th/11th April 1942 (Friday/Saturday)

Unit No: 15 Squadron (XV)

Base: RAF Alconbury, Cambridgeshire (see notes)

Location: Rectory Farm, Cow Lane, Godmanchester, Huntingdon

Pilot: Sqn Ldr. Matthew Drummond Henderson Wilson 70885 RAF Age 28. Killed (1)

Pilot 2: Sgt David Southey Survived - Injured (2)

Flt Eng: Sgt. Leonard John Gornall 52164 RAFVR Age 20. Survived - injured (3)

Nav: Fg Off. Clifford Reeve Survived (4)

Bomb Aimer: Sgt. Sidney John Jordan 1393659 RAFVR Age 25. Survived (5)

WOp/Air Gnr: Sgt. Daniel Lammie Survived - Injured (6)

Air Gnr (Mid Upp): Sgt. William Edmund Chambers 1305524 RAFVR Age 21. Survived (7)

Air Gnr (Rear): Sgt. Edgar George Spencer Gould 1261768 RAFVR Age 35. Killed (8)

Taking off at 22.35 hrs from RAF Alconbury to bomb the city of Essen. 254 aircraft taking part made up with a mixed variey of aircraft: 167 Wellingtons, 43 Hampdens, 18 Stirlings, 10 Manchesters, 8 Halifaxes and 8 Lancasters. Weather was forecast to be clear over the target, but they were met with thick cloud. Resulting in poor scattered bombing with very heavy anti aircraft fire.

The reports from Essen state that 12 houses were destroyed, no serious industrial damage - 7 people were killed with 30 other injuries. The total tonnage dropped on the city represented about 6 aircraft loads out of the 172 aircraft reported dropping their bombs on the target!

14 aircraft were lost on this operation with 60 aircrew killed, 19 pow, 1 evading capture, plus various other injuries.

Stirling N3703 was one of these aircraft hit and damaged by flak, but managed to return to England. After an aborted landing attempt then having to go round again the aircraft crashed at 04.35 hrs at Rectory Farm, Cow Lane in Godmanchester near Huntingdon.

This crew had a lucky escape a few weeks earlier at Beck Row, Mildenhall. A further 'Page of remembrance' also to be added to the website.

(1) Sqn Ldr. Matthew Drummond Henderson Wilson - born in Kilmarnock, Scotland and raised by relatives after their deaths. Prior to enlisting he had a passion for fast cars and rallying, taking part in the Monte Carlo rally. As well as others including the Scottish Rally (shown below left on the 'Rest and Be Thankful' part of the A83 in Argyle and Bute) Wanting to explore other exciting possibilities he learnt to fly after joining the RAF on a short service commission then having received his wings he took up a position with the Newcastle Aero Club. During his time there he took a new delivered Tiger Moth for a spin, crashing it during acrobatics. He suffered some fairly severe injuries but recovered to rejoin the RAF at the outbreak of war. Firstly as a ferry pilot, then joining 15 Squadron on the 11th October 1941. His special supercharged Squire rally car JB8776, still survives today.

Above left: Sgt. Edgar Gould. Right: Sgt David Southey

(3) Sgt. Leonard John Gornall - later joined 138 Squadron flying from RAF Tempsford on SOE duties. On the 7th/8th February 1944 on Halifax LW275 NF:O (his 48th operation) the crew were forced to abandon the aircraft over Mantaille. The crew managed to evade capture and returned to England via with the assistance of the local resistance. He had already been promoted to Fg Off. at this stage, also received the DFC. Sadly, still with 138 Squadron, he was listed as missing on the 26th February 1945 with all 7 crew (not known if the agents survived) over the North Sea on a trip to Norway. The Stirling IV LK272 NF:P flown by 24 year old Flt Lt. Peter B. Cornwallis - son of Sir Kinahan Cornwallis (see notes) GCMG, CBE, DSO, and Gertrude Dorothy (Née Bowen).

(4) Fg Off. Clifford Reeve survived this crash as described, he then returned alone, to the aircraft to rescue two other crew, Sgt. Southey, also it is understood, Sgt. Gould. He was then taken to the hospital at Ely prior to further treatment at The Grange, Littleport. His injuries at the time of the rescue amazingly consisted of broken ribs, both ankles dislocated as well as a broken vertebrae - only discovered later when they placed him into traction. During his stay other officers heard on the radio his exploits and that he had been awarded the MBE for his actions. The award was presented by the King in December 1942. He survived the war, retiring from the RAF as Wing Commander in the mid 60’s.

( 5) Sgt.

Local remembrance and memorial support

Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep

Imperial War Museum register entry for the Short Stirling N3703 memorial at Godmanchester. Records the memorial stone commemorating the two crew members killed and the aircraft's operational loss.

Memorial reference 97973. Two killed: Sqn Ldr Wilson (pilot) and Sgt Edgar Gould (mid-upper gunner). Five survived but three died later in the war.

Dedicated website for the Stirling N3703 crash at Godmanchester, including research by Roger Leivers who authored a book about the incident. Documents the crew's story, the crash, and the memorial dedication ceremony.

Roger Leivers researched and published a book about the crash. Dedication ceremony held with surviving relatives and military representatives.