Kirtling and Upend, historic English villages

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>An airman remembers
>One year on
>Among the archives
>Dick's journal
>Kirtling Red Lion
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>Protecting wild birds
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>Cricket club
>Hill Farm
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>Aspects of East Anglia
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>An interesting find
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Kirtling and Upend, historic Cambridgeshire villages
The last flight of the Lancaster

Ron Hunwicks was just 19 and a flight engineer when the Lancaster he was flying in crashed on a night flight at the entrance to Hill Farm in Kirtling. Ron and two others survived the crash, though Ron lost a leg. The Lancaster was from No 75 (New Zealand) Squadron based in Mepal.

Lancaster Crash site

An aerial view of the site of the crash near Hill Farm, Kirtling

Who was in the crew

The crew included:

  • Flight Lt. Doug Blewitt, New Zealander, who died at the site of the crash.  He is buried in Cambridge cemetery (opposite Marshalls).
  • Flight Sgt. Bryant Cornell, British, who died the next day. He is buried at Southgate cemetery, Middx.
  • Flying Officer Johnny Wilson, New Zealander, who died at the site of the crash. He is buried in Cambridge cemetery.
  • Warrant Officer John Smyrk, British, who survived and is now living in Margate.
  • Sgt Ronald Hunwicks, British, who survived and is now living in Hadleigh.
  • Sgt Ken Hollins, British, who survived but is now deceased.
  • Sgt Bill Pridmore, British, who survived and is now living in Hemel Hempstead.

More about the Kirtling Lancaster

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