Remembering the Crew of Halifax HX 181 ( ZA-K)
Donation protected
On the 19th of November 1943 Halifax HX 181 (ZA-K) of 10 Squadron took off from RAF Melbourne in Yorkshire to bomb the Farben Chemical plant in Leverkusen, Germany. During the operation the aircraft sustain considerable damage and returned to England. The Halifax tried to land at RAF Tangmere in Sussex but sadly crashed into the side of a hangar, killing all seven crew. It is important to note that despite the fact that it was obvious that the aircraft was in distress all the crew opted to stick together and refused to bail out. They were....
F/Sgt (Cpt) Benjamin Holdsworth 23 yrs
F/Sgt (Nav) Clive Telfer 20 yrs
Sgt (A/B) Albert James Oudinot 31 yrs
Sgt (W/Op) Robert Vernon Downs 22 yrs
F/Sgt (M/U) John Harper 28 yrs
Sgt (F/Eng) Raymond James Harry Steel 19 yrs
Sgt (T/G) Charles Edward Smith 21 yrs
During WWII Bomber Command lost almost 56,000 air crew. The very high casualties suffered, give testimony to the dedication and courage of Bomber Command aircrew in carrying out their orders in extreme circumstances.
My great uncle was the Air Bomber on this flight. As with all aircrew in Bomber Command he and the rest of the crew volunteered to sign up despite knowing the chances of survival were low. They paid the ultimate price.
Last year marked 75 years since the crew of Halifax HX 181 (ZA-K) were killed. There is no memorial for them. No mention at Tangmere Museum.
I have spent the last 18 months tracing the families of the rest of the crew and I am delighted to say that we are now united.
My objectives are;
To fund a memorial which will stand proudly at the front of what was the crash site, over looking the old airfield at Tangmere. This is now a housing development. Miller Homes who built the houses are in agreement with the installation of the memorial, which will cost £2,500 (including the installation) plus there is a cost of £234 for the planning permission.
To have a plaque dedicated to the crew sited in the Garden of Remembrance at Tangmere Museum. The Director and board at the Museum have been incredibly supportive of this venture. The plaque will cost £150.
To have an exhibit about the events of 19th November 1943 in Tangmere Museum. This has been offered by the museum and there is no charge.
The total sum I need to raise is £2,884 however I am aiming for £3,000 to cover any extra costs. Any money raised over the necessary amount will be donated to Tangmere Military Aviation Museum.
So far, I have personally donated £1,000, any donation no matter how small will be very gratefully received.
In a world where the word 'hero' is thrown about like confetti please take a moment to remember young men like our lost crew. I cannot even imagine the courage it took to overcome the fear they must have felt every time they climbed into that huge aircraft. And yet, still they went.
They were and always will be heroes. Please help me to help us remember them.
F/Sgt (Cpt) Benjamin Holdsworth 23 yrs
F/Sgt (Nav) Clive Telfer 20 yrs
Sgt (A/B) Albert James Oudinot 31 yrs
Sgt (W/Op) Robert Vernon Downs 22 yrs
F/Sgt (M/U) John Harper 28 yrs
Sgt (F/Eng) Raymond James Harry Steel 19 yrs
Sgt (T/G) Charles Edward Smith 21 yrs
During WWII Bomber Command lost almost 56,000 air crew. The very high casualties suffered, give testimony to the dedication and courage of Bomber Command aircrew in carrying out their orders in extreme circumstances.
My great uncle was the Air Bomber on this flight. As with all aircrew in Bomber Command he and the rest of the crew volunteered to sign up despite knowing the chances of survival were low. They paid the ultimate price.
Last year marked 75 years since the crew of Halifax HX 181 (ZA-K) were killed. There is no memorial for them. No mention at Tangmere Museum.
I have spent the last 18 months tracing the families of the rest of the crew and I am delighted to say that we are now united.
My objectives are;
To fund a memorial which will stand proudly at the front of what was the crash site, over looking the old airfield at Tangmere. This is now a housing development. Miller Homes who built the houses are in agreement with the installation of the memorial, which will cost £2,500 (including the installation) plus there is a cost of £234 for the planning permission.
To have a plaque dedicated to the crew sited in the Garden of Remembrance at Tangmere Museum. The Director and board at the Museum have been incredibly supportive of this venture. The plaque will cost £150.
To have an exhibit about the events of 19th November 1943 in Tangmere Museum. This has been offered by the museum and there is no charge.
The total sum I need to raise is £2,884 however I am aiming for £3,000 to cover any extra costs. Any money raised over the necessary amount will be donated to Tangmere Military Aviation Museum.
So far, I have personally donated £1,000, any donation no matter how small will be very gratefully received.
In a world where the word 'hero' is thrown about like confetti please take a moment to remember young men like our lost crew. I cannot even imagine the courage it took to overcome the fear they must have felt every time they climbed into that huge aircraft. And yet, still they went.
They were and always will be heroes. Please help me to help us remember them.
Organizer
Aly Etherington
Organizer
