Stichting Herdenkingspalen Hollands Kroon
Crash information P9286 Winkel
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.
Information about the unveiling of the remembrance post for this crash
This remembrance post was unveiled on September 18th 2021
Location of this remembrance post
Vickers Wellington Mk IC
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 |
Photos of the unveiling
Reports and press
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
The unveiling captured on video
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
Memorial to pilot Donald Ewart Larkman and his crew on April 19
On April 19, 2023, Stichting Herdenkingspalen Hollands Kroon had the honor of receiving relatives of one of the crew members of the Vickers Wellington Mk Ic P9286 KO-K of 115 Squadron that crashed near Winkel in the Groetpolder. The crew is buried in the General Cemetery at the Lucaskerk van Winkel.
Christine Townrow, her partner Arthur Brookes and his brother Lieutenant Colonel Edmund Brookes had come over from England. Christine's father was the cousin of pilot Donald Ewart Larkman. According to Christine, it was her father's favorite cousin because he was always so nice to him. Christine, Arthur and Edmund had come over by boat this morning to return to Cambridge the next day.
Christine and her travel group were not aware of the memorial service that would be held and were pleasantly surprised that Chris from our foundation had organized it. After the ceremony, Chris took them to the remembrance post and the crash site. This has done her very good. Christine later wrote via email: “I will certainly remember the day with such pleasure and gratitude!”. You can't get a better compliment as a foundation.
Mayor Rian van Dam was also present at the commemoration, who once again emphasized how important it is for Hollands Kroon to continue to commemorate these crew members.
Foto's van de herdenking op 19 april 2023
Family of Thomas Walter Gostick commemorate in Winkel
On August 31, 2022, Jack and Gill Salter arrived from York, England. Jack's father was the cousin of Thomas Walter Gostick, gunner of the Wellington bomber that crashed in the Groetpolder on November 16, 1940. Thomas was called Sonny within the family. Thomas's mother, and therefore Jack's aunt, always talked a lot about her son, but her husband didn't allowe talking about Sonny. Jack had to promise his great-aunt that he would visit Thomas' grave someday. Jack and Gill came across in their remake Morgan, a special car that they would drive on to Germany for a Morgan day held there.
Jack and Gill were very impressed with the ceremony that was held. The veterans of Hollands Kroon and Schagen were present. The May 4 foundation was also present and had provided coffee, tea and a petit four. There were also a number of former residents present. At the commemoration, beautiful words were spoken by Geertje Hannema, daughter of the former owner of the plot where the six crew members died, and by Alderman Lilian Peters on behalf of the Municipality of Hollands Kroon. Dirk Bak blew the Last Post and the English national anthem. After the ceremony, Jack and Gill were taken by Chris to the remembrance post, which was pleced and unveiled in 2021. Chris showed the spot where the plane came down. It was a beautiful memorial that left many impressions.
Photo: Chris Dijkshoorn
Photo: Marc Moussault
NH News report
Kelly Blok of NH Nieuws reported on this commemoration. Click here for the report, with video.
Photo's: Marc Moussault en Chris Dijkshoorn
Photo: Marc Moussault
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