Stichting Herdenkingspalen Hollands Kroon
During World War II more than 40 different bombers and jet fighters have crashed within de county borders of Hollands Kroon. The crashes were mostly on land, in the Ijssel lake and the Wadden sea.
Few crew members were arrested after using their parachute to reach the ground, others could flee with the help of the Resistance. However, the majority lost their lives and did not return home safely to their family and loved ones.
This remembrance post was unveiled on September 18th 2021
Crash Vickers Wellington Mk IC P9286 KO-K of 115 Squadron at the Groetpolder near Winkel
Crash information
The evening of 16 November 1940 at 20.15h, the Wellington bomber took off from Marham airport to target the city of Hamburg. On the way back to England, in the middle of the night the crew was completely surprised by a German hunting aircraft. The Wellington crashed at 02.05h. All crew members lost their lives.
The Wellington was taken down by the hunting aircraft of Oberleutnant Egmont Prinz zur Lippe-Weissenfeld. This was the lieutenant’s first, successful operation. Before crashing in 1944 he had already taken down 51 other aircrafts.
The crew
Donald Ewart Larkman | Sergeant | Pilot | 21 years old | UK |
Frederick Albert Core | Sergeant | 2nd pilot | 23 years old | UK |
Malcolm Brian Mott | Sergeant | Observer | 20 years old | UK |
Robert Rodger | Sergeant | Radio operator | 22 years old | UK |
Thomas Walter Gostick | Sergeant | Gunner | 23 years old | UK |
John Carse Walton | Sergeant | Gunner | 23 years old | UK |
Unveiling of the 6th Remembrance Post in Winkel
There was a lot of interest in the unveiling of the remembrance post P9286 in Winkel on 18 September.
The official ceremony was attended by, among others, the alderman and veterans of the Veterans Contactgroep Wieringen/Hollands Kroon and Veterans Schagen. NH Nieuws reported on this ceremony. More photos can be found on our photo page
A moving response from Sandra, a niece of the deceased pilot Larkman:
Hello Chris,
Thank you so much for this.
I just cannot appreciate enough what you have all done to honour our loved ones who we miss so very much.
It never ceases to amaze me how much honour you pay to those who gave so much so that not only you, but we can be free today.
I am so humbled by the Dutch. So grateful.
Thank you for remembering.
I only hope that we all can learn that this must not, cannot happen again.
From myself and all the Larkman family, thank you, and we would do it again to save us all.
Bless you.
Sandra
Stichting Herdenkingspalen Hollands Kroon
Board of the foundation
Name | Role |
Mark Hakvoort | Chairman |
Chris Dijkshoorn | Treasurer |
Martin Blaauw | Secretary |
Board members fulfill their tasks on a voluntary basis
Documents of the foundation