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Sergeant (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) Harry Crawford was the eldest son of William Crawford of Brookley, Castlerock. He had joined the Royal Air Force during July 1940.

During the morning of the 15th of May 1941, a Handley Page Hampden medium bomber[1] (P1350) took off from Upper Heyford airfield in Bicester, England to take part in non-operational training as part of 16 OTU.[2]

Not long after take-off the starboard engine failed, and the bomber began to spin out of control towards the ground. There was nothing the crew could do as they plummeted downwards, finally hitting a field. This was just west of Fritwell village in Oxfordshire, around three miles to the northeast. The bomber immediately burst into flames.

Onboard the Handley bomber was Sergeant and Pilot Michael John Hopkins,[3] Sergeant William Keith Clarke,[4] Sergeant James Lyle Newton,[5] this airman, Sergeant Harry Crawford, and Aircraftman Robert Robson.[6] All five where killed, their severely burnt and damaged bodies were recovered later and returned to their families for burial, with exception of Sergeant William Keith Clarke who was Canadian and was laid to rest in Upper Heyford Cemetery, Oxfordshire, England.

Harry was laid to rest from his father’s house on the 21st of May 1941.

Date of Death: 15/05/1941 (Aged 22)

Service: 16 Operational Training unit, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Service Number: 984906

Burial Location: Dunboe First Presbyterian Churchyard


[1] The Handley Page Hampden was a British twin engine medium bomber of the Royal Air Force which was introduced during 1938 after taking its first flight 3 years previous.

[2] 16 OTU is 16 Operational Training Unit.

[3] Sergeant Michael John Hopkins of the Royal Air Force (service number 1280952), aged 19, was the son of Sergeant and Pilot Michael John Hopkins. He was laid to rest in Keston Churchyard in Kent, England.

[4] Sergeant William Keith Clarke of the Royal Canadian Airforce (service number R/68066), aged 30, was the son of Randall L. Clarke and Amy E. Clarke, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. B.A. (The University of Manitoba). He was laid to rest in Upper Heyford Cemetery, Oxfordshire, England.

[5] Sergeant James Lyle Newton of the Royal Air Force (service number 983323), aged 20. He was laid to rest in Upper Heyford Cemetery, Oxfordshire, England.

[6] Aircraftman Robert Robson of the Royal Air Force (service number 1133491). He was laid to rest in Newbiggin (ST. Bartholomew) Churchyard, Northumberland, England.

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