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26th June 1944On this day:
If you can provide any additional information, please add it here.
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Remembering those who died this day.
- Bremner E. C.. Sgt. (d.26th Jun 1944)
- Churchill Thomas Fisher. Sgt. (d.26th June 1944)
- Eyles James Edwin. Pte. (d.26th Jun 1944)
- Gale Harry Mitchell. L/Sgt. (d.26th June 1944)
- Helliwell Arthur . Pte. (d.26th June 1944)
- Melvin Thomas . Rifleman (d.26th June 1944)
- Reid John. F/O (d.26th June 1944)
- Thapa Netrabahadur. A/Sbdr. (d.26 June 1944)
- Twiddy Donald Frederick. L/Sgt. (d.26th June 1944)
The names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed,
please
Add a Name to this List
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Want to know more about the 26th of June 1944? There are:54 items tagged 26th of June 1944 available in our Library
These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Second World War. |
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Stories from 26th June 1944
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Flt.Sgt. George Edward Woods. Royal Air Force, No. 9 Squadron. My dad, George Woods, who was born in 1920 was a Tool Maker at the beginning of the war. He met my mother and, because she wouldn't (initially) marry him he signed up for the RAF and ended up being sent over to the USA, on one of the Queens, to begin training to fly. He soon gained his wings as a F/Sergeant and then went on to convert to multi engined planes. On arrival back in the UK he converted to flying Lancasters MKI and was also promoted to F.Lt. He joined No. 9 Squadron at Bardney. His Log Book (which my Brother has) shows numerous training flights, including Corkscrew dives.
His first operational sortie was in Lancaster MKI WS-C on June 26th 1944 as the Engineer. This was normal practice for new pilots to the squadron, as they took over the Engineer's seat of an experienced crew, before they flew on an operational sortie with their own crew. During the flight, presumably after the aircraft had sustained damage, the pilot ordered my father to bail out. His Log book shows him as Missing (in red ink).
My Dad didn't remember anything about bailing out as he passed out and came to on the ground. (I believe this was very common for aircrew to black out when bailing out from high altitudes.) When he revived, a local German Farmworker was threatening to run him through with a pitch fork but, luckily the Luftwaffe Police turned up and took him into custody. This probably saved his life. Eventually he was taken to Stalag Luft III, Sagan where he joined the other POWs. Soon after arriving he met another inmate who vouched for my father. The POWs were very aware that the Germans would attempt to infiltrate their ranks, especially as this was only a few months after the Great Escape and you needed to be vouched for by another brother Officer.
My dad soon put his skills for engineering into projects in the camp, like using tin cans to fabricate air ducts, etc. Although he never mentioned to me about the march from Sagan to NW Germany, he did tell me they persuaded the guards to protect them from the SS and other fanatics. I also understand a Fire Engine or two may have been liberated to be used in high jinks towards the end of the war.
He was brought back to England and nine months later my brother was born. The next aeroplane he flew was a Tigermoth at Hornchurch, where he became an instructor with the RAF VR. I understand he nearly looped the loop when he took off; well, there is a slight difference between the Tigermoth and a Lancaster.
My dad never proved it but he thought WS-C returned from that raid in June 1944. Long after he died, in 1970, I borrowed a book from a friend that detailed every Lancaster that had flown during the war. (His brother had been killed whilst flying on Lancs.) I was able to identify the airframe that was WS-C in the period about June 26, 1944 and discovered it was scrapped in 1947. So the aircraft did get back! I sometimes think maybe it was best that things turned out as they did as, let's face it, Bomber Command was the most dangerous place to be, mind you, his old crew did survive the war, flying in No. 9 Squadron. Raymond Woods
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Rifleman Thomas " " Melvin. British Army, 9th Battalion Cameronians . (d.26th June 1944) My father, Thomas Melvin was killed before I was born. I believe he
could have been killed at Haut du Bosq after having only been in France a matter of days, if anyone has any information on the regiment at that time
or possibly a regiment photo I would be glad to hear from them. My mother
died when I was 9 months old so I have never known very much about him. I
try to build a mental picture of him in my mind, I am now 63 but think of him often and what my life would have been like if he had returned home from the war.Hazel Slack
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Pte. Arthur Helliwell. British Army , 7th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders . (d.26th June 1944) Arthur Helliwell was my uncle who unfortunately died before I was born. I am making a trip to France to visit his grave. I would love to know more about what his unit and battalion were involved with leading up to and at the time of his death and through all of WW2.
I would like to build up a picture in my mind so any information would be gratefully received.
Phil Coleman
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Pte. James Edwin Eyles. British Army, 1st Bn. (Princess Louise's Kensington Regt.) Middlesex Regiment. (d.26th Jun 1944) He is buried at Orvieto Cemetery, Italy and was killed in action June 26, 1944. I am trying to follow his movements through those of the Regiments. Any help would be appreciated.J. Gee
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Sgt. Thomas Fisher Churchill. British Army, 9th Btn. Cameronians. (d.26th June 1944) Sgt Thomas F Churchill, died 26th June 1944 -
I have just returned from holidaying in Normandy, France where I was able to locate my uncle who was killed on 26th June 1944. He lies in peace at the British War Cemetry in Bayeux. He was 22 years old and with him lie two other soldiers from the same Regiment who also died on the same day, one of the soldiers is 'known only unto God.'
I would like to find out more about the circumstances that lead to his death if possible. I'm curious that three soldiers who lie together, having died on the same day, possibly were fighting together when they met their demise. I know nothing of how he came to be there and with his brothers and sister also now gone,there is no-one I can ask.
If anyone recognises my uncle's name, I would love to hear from you. He was only one of many who lost his life but also, too young to die.
Kind Regards
Gillian Carpenter
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A/Sbdr. Netrabahadur Thapa. VC. British Indian Army, 2nd Battalion, 5th Royal Gurkha Rifles. (d.26 June 1944) On 25th/26th June 1944, at the age of twenty eight, Netrabahadur Thapa was an acting subedar of the 2nd Battalion of the 5th Royal Gurkha Rifles. He was in command of a small isolated hill post at Bishenpur, India when the Japanese army attacked in force. The men, inspired by their leader's example, held their ground and the enemy were beaten off, but casualties were very heavy and reinforcements were requested. When these arrived some hours later they also suffered heavy casualties. Thapa retrieved the reinforcements' ammunition himself and mounted an offensive with grenades and kukris, until he was killed. For this action he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
S. Flynn
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Sgt. E. C. Bremner. Royal Air Force, 73 Squadron. (d.26th Jun 1944) I have a December 20th, 1941 censored envelope from a Sgt. E. C. Bremner to his parents in Tilsonburg, Ontario, Canada. The Canadian Memorial lists him as belonging to 73 Squadron, killed in action on June 26th, 1944 and buried in Belgrade. Do you know where I would go to get any information as to the action that day? Thank you in advance. Rick Hills
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L/Sgt. Harry Mitchell Gale. British Army, 531 Bty. Royal Artillery. (d.26th June 1944) Harry Mitchell Gale who was born in Jarrow in 1911 died aged 33. He was the son of Harry and Lily Gale (nee Mitchell) of Jarrow and the husband of Anne Stafford Gale (nee Wright) of Jarrow.
Harry is buried in Jarrow Cemetery and is commemorated on the WW2 Roll of Honour Plaque in the entrance of Jarrow Town Hall. Vin Mullen
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F/O John "Jackie" Reid. DFM Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, A Flight 605 Sqdn.. (d.26th June 1944) My uncle John (Jackie) Reid, RAFVR, served at 12 AFU between 25th May 1943 and 2nd August 1943. This was where he was posted after 271 Sqdn, and from 12 AFU, he went to 60 OTU to do a conversion on Mosquitos, then from there to 605 Sqdn till 26th October. He and his Observer, Sgt Ray Phillips, were killed on 26th June 1944 while on a NFT over Margate. His aircraft, NS880, exploded and crashed in flames over the main up/down London railway line. He had been promoted to Flt Lt a couple of days before his death, but had yet to receive notice of it.
It transpires that on 5th/6th June 1944, he and two other 605 Mosquitos were over the Caen area, taking out searchlights and AA guns, (obviously before the para landings) at 0011hrs on the 6th, where his aircraft dropped the first bomb on D Day. He was extremely proud of that. This was confirmed in his logbook by his Intelligence Officer. Norrie Southam
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