No.1875077, Sergeant (W.Op/Air Gunner), Reginald George CLEMENTS
Aged 20
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Reginald George Clements was born in Woodditton in 1924 (Newmarket Q1-1925 3B:660), baptised in Woodditton on 4th January 1925, the son of Dora Mary
CLEMENTS (Later Dora May JACOBS).
He married Kathleen M. FLANNERY in 1942 (Newmarket Q2-1942 3B:2968). He died in Barford St, John, Banbury, (Banbury Q4-1944 3A:1676). His will gives his residence as 46 Westley Waterless. His mother was married to Arthur Harry JACOBS. In the 1939 register his family were at 46 Westley Waterless; stepfather [27-1-1902] garden labourer; mother [23-8-1901] and sister Ena M [20-3-1931] later KNIGHTS. |
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On the 9th December 1944 at 18.20, Vickers Wellington, BJ782 of 21 OTU took off from Moreton-in-Marsh on a cross-country night training mission. At about 20.30, the starboard engine caught fire at
5,000 feet and the crew were told to land at Barford St John. Reaching the airfield they were unable to land, overshooting and then diving and crashing into
the railway embankment behind the cottages in Mill Lane, Adderbury. Rear gunner, Sgt W H Donaldson, was thrown clear and survived the crash. He was joined by vicar Reverend Thomas South, and local man Joseph Bennett, who lived nearby. The aircraft was on fire with ammunition exploding, but Bennett, the vicar and Sgt Donaldson pulled the remaining aircrew from the wreckage. Two were already dead, the others died in hospital in Oxford the following day. For their bravery, Reverend South and Joseph Bennett received the King's Commendation. The crew was: RAAF 429152 Flt Sgt John Alexander Hay, Captain (Pilot) - Born 26 Feb 1922, Bendigo, Victoria, enlisted in Sydney, Australia, next of kin his mother Vera Hay. RAF Sgt Arthur Barker, (Navigator) aged 21, son of George and Elsie Barker, of Huddersfield. RAF Sgt James Hogg Bell, (Air Bomber) aged 20, born Portrush, County Antrim, 21 March 1924. son of John Bell and Hester Bell (nee Haughey). RAF Sgt Reginald George Clements, (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) aged 20, son of Dora Mary Jacobs, of Westley Waterless. RAF Sgt William Robinson, (Air Gunner) aged 19, son of John and Dorothy Ann Robinson, of Shelburn. RAF Sgt W H Donaldson, (Air Gunner) 1597119? R.A.F.V.R., survived the crash. Flt Sgt Hay and Sgt Barker are buried in Oxford (Botley) Cemetery, Sgt Bell is buried in Portrush Cemetery, County Antrim, Sgt Clements is buried in Westley Waterless (St Mary the Less) Churchyard, Cambridgeshire and Sgt Robinson is buried in Shelburn (St Mary) Churchyard, Durham. Since he died undergoing training it is not possible to ascertain which medals he may have been entitled to as is is not known if he ever flew operationally. He should have gained the Defence Medal and the War Medal at least. |
Waiting for identification of the crew shown here. The 4th from left will be the pilot, Australian John Hay.
Wellington Mk III, BJ782 probable call sign ED-?
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