Handley Page Halifax LL356
0.2 miles away
Suffolk
Kirkley (Lowestoft) Halifax Memorial
Kirkley (Lowestoft), Suffolk
Comprehensive Record
Photographs
The Memorial
It is maintained by Lowestoft Town Council.
Type
Bowls club memorial seat with plaque
Inscription
Could you help us fill in the inscription?
LocationApproximate Location
Kirkley (Lowestoft), Suffolk, Suffolk
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What Happened
On the night of 27/28 April 1944, Halifax LL356 departed the secret airfield at RAF Tempsford on its 13th operation, carrying supplies destined for Belgian resistance fighters in German-occupied Europe. Flight Sergeant George Herbert Williamson of the RAAF led a mixed Commonwealth crew of seven, including Britons, Canadians, and fellow Australians. The aircraft never reached its drop zone, struck by German flak over Eindhoven, Holland, and was listed as Missing on Operations — no word received from the crew. All seven men were killed: Williamson, aged 29; Sergeant George Partridge Croad, flight engineer, aged just 19; Flight Sergeant Herbert Dootson; Warrant Officer Arthur John George Barnes; Sergeant Hubert Francis Benbow; Flight Sergeant Eric Raymond Clayworth; and Flight Sergeant James Ethelred Smythe. They carried no agents that night — only parachutable supply canisters — and are commemorated at Kirkley, Lowestoft, Suffolk.
Community Connection
The story highlights the personal connection between the families of the crew members and the community's effort to remember them.
Remembrance
Remembrance Service(16th June 1944)
The body of the Australian pilot washed up on the Dutch Island of Terschelling.
Aircraft & Operation Details
For freedomAircraft Type
Halifax
Serial Number
LL356
Squadron
138 (SD) Squadron
Station
Tempsford
Date of Loss
1944-04-27
Operation Type
Special Operations
Cause of Loss
Hit by German flak over Eindhoven, Holland, while on mission to drop supplies to Belgian resistance. Aircraft listed as Missing on Operations.
Crew (8 members)
About the Crew
F/Sgt George Herbert Williamson(age 29)Pilot
From Australia
Body washed up on the Dutch island of Terschelling on 16 June 1944. Buried there in a Commonwealth War Grave.
Australian pilot serving with the RAAF, aged 29 at the time of his death. He flew special operations missions dropping supplies to resistance movements in occupied Europe.
Sgt George Partridge Croad(age 19)Flight Engineer
Body never recovered from the North Sea. Commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 227.
The youngest crew member at just 19 years old, serving with the RAFVR as flight engineer on clandestine special operations missions.
F/Sgt Herbert Dootson(age 33)Navigator
Body never recovered from the North Sea. Commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 217.
At 33 years old, Dootson was the oldest crew member and an experienced navigator serving with the RAFVR.
WO2 Arthur John George Barnes(age 22)Air Bomber
Body never recovered from the North Sea. Commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 254.
Canadian airman serving with the RCAF, aged 22. One of two Canadians in the multinational crew.
Sgt Hubert Francis Benbow(age 23)Wireless Operator/Air Gunner
Body never recovered from the North Sea. Commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 225.
Served with the RAFVR as wireless operator and air gunner on special duties operations.
F/Sgt Eric Raymond Clayworth(age 25)Air Gunner
Body never recovered from the North Sea. Commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 260.
Australian airman serving with the RAAF, aged 25. One of two Australians aboard the aircraft.
F/Sgt James Ethelred Smythe(age 21)Air Gunner
Body never recovered from the North Sea. Commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 255.
Canadian airman serving with the RCAF, the youngest at 21. The crew represented four nations: Australia, Canada, and Britain.
Memorial Care
parish council
Organisation
Lowestoft Town Council
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Lowestoft Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
Lowestoft Town Councilparish council
Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep
Further Reading
Aircrew RememberedRetrieved 2026-03-24
Detailed page on F/Sgt George Herbert Williamson RAAF (aged 29) and the crew of Halifax V LL356 (coded NF-U). The aircraft departed Tempsford at 23:10 on 27 April 1944 to drop supplies to Belgian resistance. It was observed being hit by German flak over Eindhoven in southern Holland. The crew likely attempted to return to base but crashed or ditched, with the aircraft listed as 'Missing on Operations'. The crew comprised airmen from the RAAF, RAFVR, and RCAF.
What you'll find: Detailed history of F/Sgt George Herbert Williamson RAAF and Halifax V LL356 crew's tragic mission in WWII.
Departed Tempsford at 23:10Mission to drop supplies to Belgian resistanceHit by flak over Eindhoven, HollandListed as Missing on OperationsWilliamson aged 29, RAAF
MHHV (Military History and Heritage Victoria)Retrieved 2026-03-23
Australian military heritage article documenting the crew of Halifax LL356 as a 'Special' Halifax bomber crew from 138 Squadron. Provides context on the squadron's clandestine SOE operations and the multinational nature of the crew.
What you'll find: The daring exploits of Halifax LL356 crew in WWII's clandestine SOE operations.
SOE operations context providedMultinational crew documented
Aviation Safety NetworkRetrieved 2026-03-23
ASN records the accident of Halifax Mk V LL356 on 28 April 1944, confirming loss details and crew complement.
What you'll find: Explore Halifax Mk V LL356's tragic 1944 crash at Kirkley Memorial via Aviation Safety Network.
ASN accident record confirmedDate recorded as 28 April 1944 (post-midnight mission)
Roll of HonourRetrieved 2026-03-23
The Roll of Honour website lists all seven crew members of Halifax LL356 NF-U who were killed on the special operations mission. A memorial seat with plaque was dedicated at Kirkley Bowls Club, Lowestoft, with support from the RAFA Lowestoft Branch.
What you'll find: The names and tributes of seven Halifax crew members lost in a special ops mission via the Roll of Honour website's memorial page at Kirkley Bowls Club.
All seven crew listed by nameMemorial seat with RAFA support
Nearby Memorials
Sources
Aircrew Remembered (retrieved 2026-03-24)
MHHV (Military History and Heritage Victoria) (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Aviation Safety Network (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Roll of Honour (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Geograph Suffolk (website)
Aircrew Remembered - Williamson George (website)
Roll of Honour - Tempsford Halifax LL356 (website)
MHHV - A Special Halifax Bomber Crew (website)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
With thanks to
Bob Collis — Aviation researcher — corrected crash location (North Sea, not Kirkley)
Last updated 2026-04-09
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