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229080 Sgt. Cyril "Titch" Bayford Royal Air Force 57 Sqdn. from:Bishops Stortford (d.11th November 1944)  My father, Sgt. Cyril Bayford of Bishops Stortford Herts. He was a Lancaster tail gunner with 57th Sqdn at East Kikby. His final mission was November 11th 1944 He was in Lancaster DX-H (LL-939). The Lancaster took off from East Kirkby at 16:54 and was hit by flak over Harburg at 19:27, finally crashing at Beckdorf at 19:45 hours. Any information would be greatly appreciated as I was just one month old when he was lost in action. I know so little about him and any information would be welcome.
After many years of research, in 2008 I was able to find the crash location site and with the help of the state archaeologist and an eye witness to the crash, in 2009 we were able to excavate the crash site and found literally hundred of items. We even found the pilot's wrist watch strap. The rest of the items were sent back to the original airfield at East Kirkby, Lincs and are now on display at the museum there.
From Chorley's Bomber Command Losses 1944:
11/12 Nov 1944, 57 Sqn, Avro Lancaster I, Serial No. LL939, Code DX-H, Op: Hamburg.
F/O S Bowden, Pilot (died)
Sgt AC Brett, Flight Engineer (died)
Sgt LW Nagley (pow)
F/S SC Alidis (pow)
Sgt JA McLaughlin, Wireless Operator/Airgunner(died)
F/S FC Green, Airgunner (died)
Sgt C Bayford, Airgunner (died)
Took off 1654 East Kirkby. Hit by flak and crash-landed circa 1927 near Beckdorf, 8 km SSW from Buxtehude. On the first impact one engine and the rear turret were torn away, the rest of the Lancaster bouncing back into the air and flying on for over a km before smashing back to earth. The two survivors are believed to have baled out, as did Sgt Brett but his parachute failed to deploy. He lies in Becklingen War Cemetery, while the others who died are buried in Hamburg Cemetery, Ohlsdorf. (David Burnham)
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Additional Information: | After many discussions with Germany a living eye witness to the crash was located in Beckdorf Germany. After discussion with him and the local archaeologist and and members of the local government agencies, we were able to obtain permission to excavate the crash site. I contacted Mr Garth Green, son of the upper gunner, William Pointing, grat nephew of the pilot. We all met up in Hamburg and travelled down to Beckdorf. We were very warmly received by the Burgermeister of the Apensen/Beckdorf area the Mayor of Beckdorf and the local historian and the State archaeologist. They were all wonderful hosts and so helpful in every respect.
The eye witness took us right to the site and we commenced excavating and within the first few minutes we had located the port outer engine. From the position of the engine we are able to locate the cockpit area. We found literally hundreds of items which were eventually sent back to East Kirkby (Aviation heritage museum) From some of the parts we were able to positively identify this was indeed the crash site of Lancaster DX-H. Serial Number LL939
Many more personal items were recovered including the pilots wrist watch band. It was given to the great nephew of the pilot. Wm Pointing.
It took over 64 years but we were finally able to find the crash site, recover the pieces, and above all put closure to an issue that had bothered myself and other crew member families.
Roger M Bayford | Later I found out that he was with a temporary crew that night. His regular crew all survived the war. I was able to make contact with the Bomb Aimer from his regular crew. His name was Malcolm Campbell, I was lucky enough to meet Malcolm at a 57 Sqn reunion and learn so much about my father and the good times he and his regular crew had.
Here is a list of Cyril Bayford's regular crew
- Flight Lt Frank Jones (Frank) - Pilot and skipper
- Flying Officer Donald Watkinson (Don) - Navigator
- Sergeant Sidney Baker (Sid) - Engineer
- Flight Sergeant Malcolm Campbell (Ginger) - Navigator/ Air Bomber
- Sergeant Stanley West (Stan) - Wireless Operator
- Sergeant Cyril Bayford (Titch) - Rear Air Gunner
- Sergeant William Hamer (Bill) - Mid Upper Gunner.
I feel very fortunate to have learned so much about both crews and finally learn all the details of his postings and crews and the events that led up to him being a volunteer on LL939 (DX-H) that fateful night. Roger Bayford |
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