John Bamford
He was an apprentice joiner in 1939.
- Family History
- Military history
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He was the son of William and Mabel Bamford of 7a, Horace Avenue, Stapleford, Nottinghamshire.
Lancaster III JB596
On 16th December 1943 (Black Thursday), Lancaster JB596 crashed in Lincolnshire. 4 of the crew were killed and three survived. The crew were:- P/O Robert Proudfoot (Pilot); Sgt S Viggers (Flt Eng); Sgt L Noyes (Nav); Sgt J Bamford (Bomb Aimer); Sgt B Heaton (WOP); Sgt B Phillips (Mid Upper Gunner); Sgt F Taylor (Rear Gunner). who was rescued unconscious from the burning aircraft.
They took off in JB596 at 16.18hrs to bomb Berlin and was the first aircraft to return at 23.00hrs. Eye witness reports just prior to the crash they heard the sound of an aircraft flying low overhead coming from the direction of Waltham, the pilot probably doing a left hand circuit to line up with the runway.
Following the crash it was thought that the altimeter might have been faulty, for if he had been flying 30 feet higher he would have cleared the trees.
The aircraft hit the ground some 300 yards from the road and ploughed through earth and trees for over a quarter of a mile. It’s starboard wing scraped the roof off a farm cottage.
For a more detailed account, see ‘Black night for Bomber Command’. The tragedy of 16 December 1943. By Richard Knott.
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