William Chambers
Person Male Born 1921 Died 31/7/1941
Sergeant of RAF 61 Squadron, killed in the crash of Hampden bomber P4399.
Our colleague Andrew Behan has kindly researched this man: Sergeant (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) William Chambers was born in 1921, the son John William and Eleanor B Chambers, who at the time of his death, aged 20 years, were living in New Herrington, Sunderland, County Durham. He joined the Royal Air Force, Service Number 640019 and was attached to No.61 Squadron.
He was aboard a Handley Page Hampden Bomber, serial number P4399, when it took off from RAF Luffenham in Rutland on Wednesday 30 July 1941 at 23.06 hours on a night bombing raid to Cologne, Germany. On its return it flew into an electrical storm and crashed onto houses at 65-69 East Hill, Dartford, Kent, killing three RAF personnel on the aircraft and three civilians on the ground. He is buried in Row 14 Grave 23 at St Cuthbert's Churchyard, Herrington, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear.
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