The Wartime Memories Project - The Second War

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216817 Sgt. Earnest William John Polden Royal Air Force 500 Sqd. (d.26th Jun 1941) My grandfather on his wedding day My grandfather Earnest Polden who was part of 500 Squadron was the pilot of the ill-fated Avro Anson involved in the crash over Cawston on 26/06/1941. On 26th June 1941, while airborne three miles south west of Aylsham, Norfolk. Kanturek and Parry lost their lives when Hawker Hurricane 2B, Z3391 from 257 Squadron at RAF Coltishall, collided with their plane, Coastal Command Avro Anson N9732 from 500 Squadron at Bircham Newton. Otto Kanturek's remains were interred in Scottow Cemetery adjacent to Coltishall airfield but his age is given as 42 years and this is probably incorrect as he is alleged to have been a cameraman since 1913. O W Kanturek, 20th Century Fox Films Ltd died 26th June 1941 Age 42. Otto Kanturek was a very experienced cameraman with numerous films credits and an industry reputation. Along with another cameraman, Jack Parry, he was taking aerial action shots of Hurricanes as part of the making of the film, A Yank in the RAF The idea was that two Hurricane planes would swoop past Otto's plane. Jack Parry and Otto would take it in turns to film the Hurricanes. Just before midday on the 26 June, 1941, Jack Parry, Otto Kanturek and their pilot clambered into the jeep and made their way to the runway at RAF Coltishall. There they would board their plane for what they all thought would be a routine flight. The two film makers didn't even anticipate being that long. They were to get these shots in the can and then get to the set of another movie in production - a movie called One of Our Aeroplanes is Missing. But sadly this would be their last ever flight. During the flight one of the Hurricanes collided with the camera plane. The pilot of the Hurricane escaped, but everyone in the other plane was killed. Jack Parry is stated to be buried at Aylsham. The pilot of the 500 Sqn Anson was 754618 Sgt E W J Polden aged 24, he is buried in Branksome Park (All Saints) Churchyard, Poole. He was the son of Henry Richard and Minnie Elizabeth Anne Polden, of Parkstone; husband of Edith Grace Polden. Ernest is remembered on the Poole Grammar School Roll of Honour. I have extensive research into the accident. The photograph of my grandfather on his wedding day, it’s a very interesting picture in as much as it was taken 74 years ago at their wedding. Earnest William Polden is the man in the centre left of the picture and his wife obviously stands next to him. The person to his left is Pat sister of Earnest Polden's wife. As much of interest to me personally is the gentleman and lady at the back to the right of the couple. This is the man I actually knew as my grandfather Reginald Waterfield and his wife, my grandmother whose name is escaping me). However I didn't know that the couple who adopted her were their best friends, in fact Reginald Waterfield was Earnest's best man. This picture to me is really special as it actually changes my past in as much as I did not know my grandfather and my adopted grandfather knew each other. I am also fortunate to have recently been given two fragments of the actual aircraft which I treasure. Danny Bennington Add to this record.  Additional Information: I just wanted to tell you that I clean house for the Sister of Mr. Polden and she is now 93 years old...She was pleased and thrilled to see her brother when I showed her the Movie A Yank in the R.A.F. Thank You Michelle Horn Reply Related Content: No. 500 (County of Kent) Squadron Royal Air Force Can you help us to add to our records? Add a record to our website. The names and stories on this website have been submitted by their relatives and friends. If your relations are not listed please add their names so that others can read about them Did you or your relatives live through the Second World War? Do you have any photos, newspaper clippings, postcards or letters from that period? Have you researched the names on your local or war memorial? Were you or your relative evacuated? Did an air raid affect your area? If so please let us know. Help us to build a database of information on those who served both at home and abroad so that future generations may learn of their sacrifice. Contact us. Celebrate your own Family History Celebrate by honouring members of your family who served in the Secomd World War both in the forces and at home. We love to hear about the soldiers, but also remember the many who served in support roles, nurses, doctors, land army, muntions workers etc. Please use our Family History resources to find out more about your relatives. Then please send in a short article, with a photo if possible, so that they can be remembered on these pages.

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