Richard Miller
05-01-2007, 10:26 AM
Dear forum members
My father Sgt Stanley George Goodey, was an Air Gunner on Stirling R9326 (BU-G). On 11 June 1942 while on a minelaying op over the Friesian Islands, the aircraft, hit by flack from Borkum, disabling the rear turret, crashed on the beach of a small island called Memmert immediately to the north of Borkum Island.
The front gunner (my father), who sustained a broken leg during the crash, was the only injury. The crew walked around the island which was quite small and discovered that there was only a small hut and no way off. When it became light they roused the old warden from his slumbers and after reassuring him he wasn't about to be harmed, got him to contact the mainland and advise of their presence.
I have recently regained contact with my father after many years following the divorce of my parents in the 1950's.
My father's memory of this event and what followed is a little sketchy (He is now 90). He can remember that he broke his leg in the crash and after being taken prisoner was in a German Hospital where he received treatment to mend his leg.
The rest of the crew were as follows:-
Sgt Len Tonkin RAAF Pilot
Sgt Geoff Ransome RAF 2nd pilot
F/Sgt Charles L Honeychurch RCAF (an American from Brooklyn) An observer
F/Sgt L C Beagles RAF
Sgt Alex Ballentine RAF (Irish from Belfast) Rear Gunner
Sgt W D Horne RAF
Sgt G D Morton RAF
Sgt L D Richardson
Sgt B F Hoskins
After a while a guard detail arrived and took them off the island and from there they went to the interrogation centre at Oberussel, ie Dulag Luft. Following their interrogation the crew spent almost the next 3 years at a variety of camps including Stalug Luft 3, Heydelkrug & Fallingbostel until liberated on the forced marches.
The 214 Squadron Website has helped me thus far and I am seeking my father's RAF Service record.
I would like to contact anyone who has any information about the above crew and can increase my knowledge of these times particularly in relation to the experinces of being a POW in the above camps.
Many thanks
Richard
My father Sgt Stanley George Goodey, was an Air Gunner on Stirling R9326 (BU-G). On 11 June 1942 while on a minelaying op over the Friesian Islands, the aircraft, hit by flack from Borkum, disabling the rear turret, crashed on the beach of a small island called Memmert immediately to the north of Borkum Island.
The front gunner (my father), who sustained a broken leg during the crash, was the only injury. The crew walked around the island which was quite small and discovered that there was only a small hut and no way off. When it became light they roused the old warden from his slumbers and after reassuring him he wasn't about to be harmed, got him to contact the mainland and advise of their presence.
I have recently regained contact with my father after many years following the divorce of my parents in the 1950's.
My father's memory of this event and what followed is a little sketchy (He is now 90). He can remember that he broke his leg in the crash and after being taken prisoner was in a German Hospital where he received treatment to mend his leg.
The rest of the crew were as follows:-
Sgt Len Tonkin RAAF Pilot
Sgt Geoff Ransome RAF 2nd pilot
F/Sgt Charles L Honeychurch RCAF (an American from Brooklyn) An observer
F/Sgt L C Beagles RAF
Sgt Alex Ballentine RAF (Irish from Belfast) Rear Gunner
Sgt W D Horne RAF
Sgt G D Morton RAF
Sgt L D Richardson
Sgt B F Hoskins
After a while a guard detail arrived and took them off the island and from there they went to the interrogation centre at Oberussel, ie Dulag Luft. Following their interrogation the crew spent almost the next 3 years at a variety of camps including Stalug Luft 3, Heydelkrug & Fallingbostel until liberated on the forced marches.
The 214 Squadron Website has helped me thus far and I am seeking my father's RAF Service record.
I would like to contact anyone who has any information about the above crew and can increase my knowledge of these times particularly in relation to the experinces of being a POW in the above camps.
Many thanks
Richard