Barbara Diana Cullen
She was a school secretary in 1939.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
She was the daughter of James Roy and Nellie Dora Shillito Cullen and the sister of Charles W and James R Cullen of 25, Gedling Grove, Burns Street, Nottingham.
In 1939, Barbara Cullen lived at 130, Main Street, Eastwood, Nottinghamshire.
BROOKWOOD 1939-1945 MEMORIAL Panel 23. Column 1.
Barbara Cullen lost her life in an air crash during Operation Dodge which saw the repatriation of Allied troops from the Mediterranean arena, as well as the transportation of staff. Many flew via Italy, on a six-hour flight to bring them home.
103 Squadron participated in Operation Dodge from the embarkation centre at Bari Airfield, southern Italy. The Lancaster could carry up to 20 passengers, but on this trip there were six crew and 19 nursing staff.
On the 4th October 1945, the weather was poor with low cloud hampering flying conditions. They took off from RAF Glatton, Cambridgeshire just after midnight to collect their passengers. Folding canvas seats were hung the full length on the fuselage, but there was no heating or parachutes, and with no oxygen supply for the passengers the aircraft had to fly at 2000ft.
It is believed that the aircraft may have been struck by lightning or suffered engine failure, as a large bright flash was seen at 4.40am as it was heading towards Corsica. Nothing was heard from them, and despite extensive searches no wreckage or bodies were found.
The disappearance of Lancaster PA278 from 103 Squadron on 4 October 1945 saw the biggest single loss of allied female service personnel in World War II. (Courtesy of Nicky van der Drift)
CREW OF LANCASTER PA278 PM-F (FREDDIE):
Pilot: Flight Lieutenat Geoffrey Taylor, Navigator: Flight Engineer: Sergeant Richard Steel, Flight Sergeant Jack Reardon, Wireless Operator: Flight Sergeant Norman Robbins, Air Gunners: Sergeant William Kennedy & Flight Lieutenant John Whymark DSO DFC
PASSENGERS:
Auxilliary Territorial Service (ATS):
Cpl Williamina Allan, Pte Phyllis Bacon, Cpl Heather Cosens, Pte Stefania Courtman, Pte Barbara Cullen MiD, Nursing Sister Jane Curran
Queen Alexandra Imperial Military Nursing Service:
Pte Agnes Edwards. Pte Rhoda Fraser, Pte Bessie Goodman, Cpl Jill Goring, Pte Joan Larkin, Pte Alice Lillyman, L/Cpl Sheila MacLeod, L/Cpl May Mann, Pte Betty Precious, L/Cpl Enid Rice, Senior Matron Gertrude Sadler
South African Military Nursing Service:
Staff Sgt Jessie Semark MiD, Pte Marion Taylor
Nottingham Evening Post 17/11/1945