Flight Engineer, RAFVR
Age 20
Sergeant Woodward was the flight engineer of 630 Squadron Lancaster LL949 LE-E, piloted by a New Zealander, flying officer GR Flood.
According to the Lost Bombers website, LL949 took off from East Kirkby at 1626 on 22 November 1944. Flying with 11 other 630 Squadron aircraft, its mission was to mark the U-Boat pens at Trondheim.
On the return journey it crashed near the north bank of the Humber off Sunk Island.
Sergeant Woodward survived the crash but died from his injuries on 1 December 1944. He is buried in Hampstead Cemetery.
The crew had flown a mission the previous night, to Gravenhorst, and fatigue may have been a contributing factor to the crash.
He was the son of John and Agnes Woodward and husband of Eileen Doris Woodward formerly Fennell, of Winchmore Hill, Middlesex. Leslie and Eileen Woodward were married in the September, 1943.
Crew of LL949
Pilot: F/O GR Flood RNZAF
Flight engineer: Sgt LT Woodward
Navigator: F/S C Agnew RNZAF
Bomb-aimer: F/S KJ Aspell
Wireless operator: F/S WR Ingram RNZAF
Air gunner: Sgt F Hughes
Air gunner: Sgt MB Henley
The 630 Squadron badge includes a red Lancaster Rose, which refers to the aircraft used by the Squadron. Formed on 15th November 1943, 630 was part of No5 Group, and between 18 November 1943 and 25 April 1945 took part in many major raids. After the end of the war 630 Squadron was disbanded.
The photo of the 630 sqn crews, ( belongs to my father, F/O J.W. Pollard RAAF, rear gunner, 34 operations) is circled. He had marked those KIA during his time served at the base.
ReplyDeleteJohn Pollard
Moderator
www.630squadron.co.uk/
Hi John, my grandfather Sgt E Leese Flight engineer served at the same time, his pilot was Sgt E Mitchell. I have the rest of the crews names. Is it possible to send me the photo to see if I can make him out? Regards Justine Spencer (nee Leese)
ReplyDeleteI can see your father J Pollard in the Operational Records book for June 1944.
ReplyDelete