Matthews, R H (Ronald Hepburn)

Matthews, R H (Ronald Hepburn)

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Pilot Officer Ronald Matthews was born on the 22nd October 1923 and was the son of Arthur Russel Matthews and Leila May Matthews, of Preston, Ontario, Canada. He had joined the R.C.A.F, on the 13th of November 1941. After his training he was then posted to the UK during December 1943. He joined 407 squadron on the 2nd of August of the same year.

Ronald was onboard Wellington bomber[1] (HF142) as the 2nd pilot on the morning of the 15th of February 1944. The bomber was being piloted by 1st Lieutenant Daniel B. Bleser[2] (USAAF[3] 0885990) from the USA. Also onboard was Sergeant J. Moakes,[4] Sergeant H. Westell[5] and Sergeant H.R. Taylor.[6]

By 10:30 AM the plane had taxied to the north end of the north-south runway where it stopped and lowered its flaps. The aircraft commenced its take-off as normal. Unknown to the crew, the pilot had now applied the flaps, excessively.

The result of the excessive flaps was that when the bomber was at speed and halfway down the runway, the plane left the ground and climbed steeply upwards to around 150 feet, it then stalled, rotated to its right and plummeted towards the ground. The pilot had no control of Wellington, HF142.

About half a mile to the southwest of the runway the bomber hit the ground. It immediately burst into flames killing all those onboard. It was now 10:32 am. The bodies were soon recovered.

Date of Death: 15/02/1944 (Aged 20)

Service: Pilot Officer (Pilot), 407 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force

Service Number: J/90023

Burial Location: Grave 25.


[1] The Vickers Wellington was a twin engines long range bomber, which made its maiden flight during June 1936, finally going into service October 1938.

[2] 1st Lieutenant Daniel B. Bleser was repatriated and is now buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Manitowoc, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, USA. He was the son of Mrs. Arthur Barrie of 827 North Ninth street, Manitowoc, USA.

[3] USAAF is the United States Army Air Forces

[4] Sergeant John Moakes (service number 1434192) was the Husband of Eva Moakes, of Mansfield. He was 22 and was laid to rest in Mansfield Cemetery, Nottingham Road. Section A. Grave 12860.

[5] Sergeant Harper Westell (service number 1433947) was the son of Peter and Alice Arm Westell, of Accrington and was laid to rest in St Teilo, Bishopston Churchyard. New ground. Row 4. Grave 11.

[6] Sergeant Harold Raymond Taylor (service number 1432831) was the son of Albert and May Taylor, of Darlaston, Wednesbury and was laid to rest in Falling Heath, Wednesbury Cemetery, Plot T. Grave A. 8529.

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