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 February 6th 2021
AVRO Lancaster MKI
Crash information
In the Sunday evening of 3 January 1943, English Lancaster bomber took off from Seyerston airport on its way to Kruppfabrieken in Essen. The crewmembers were led by the young but experienced pilot Harry Bird.
This dark night pilot Bird and his crew members flew together with 3 Mosquito and 19 Lancaster bombers to Germany. The Lancaster did not return that night, but it exploded high in the sky at 19.40h. To this day the cause of the explosion is unknown. All crewmembers died. They are buried at the Military Honour cemetery in Huisduinen. After the war they are reburied at the British Commonwealth War Grave Cemetery near Bergen op Zoom.
The crew
Harry Raymond Bird | Pilot Officer | Pilot | 21 years old | UK |
John Davis | Sergeant | Flight engineer | 23 years old | UK |
Harold John Robert Tickle | Flying Officer | Navigator | 20 years old | UK |
George Leslie Inglis | Sergeant | Bomb aimer | 26 years old | UK |
Robert James Kee | Warrant Officer II | Radio officer | 21 years old | CAN |
Ronald Clifford Gait | Sergeant | Gunner | 21 years old | UK |
Leslie George Gunning | Sergeant | Gunner | 19 years old | UK |
Placement remembrance post without official unveiling
january 2021 - Sunday evening 3 January 1943 the Lancaster bomber W4769 QR-V exploded at a 6 km altitude. All crew members aged between 19-26 years lost their lives.
On the 6th of February our board members placed the information panel on the remembrance post. They will add a moment of silence to remember the 7 heroes.
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