Hampden AD848 between Moorends and Thorne.
On 29th June 1942 this 14 O.T.U. aircraft struck the ground between Moorends and Thorne at a near vertical angle at 23.43hrs while its crew were undertaking a night cross-country training exercise. Sadly all in the aircraft were killed and the cause for the accident was never established. This incident may well be the one referred to on the website "www.memories-of-bygone-moorends.com" which stated the aircraft crashed between the Winning Post and the Social Club though gives the aircraft as being a Wellington.
Pilot - Sgt Theodore Anton Krome RAAF (403428), aged 29, of West Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. Buried Hatfield Woodhouse Cemetery, South Yorkshire.
Navigator - P/O Frederick Francis Andrew Wood RCAF (J/8619), aged 26, of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Buried Hatfield Woodhouse Cemetery, South Yorkshire.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Ralph O'Keefe RAFVR (798640), aged 21, of Stephenville, Newfoundland. Buried Hatfield Woodhouse Cemetery, South Yorkshire.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Wallace Alan Robson RAAF (411052), aged 19, born Sydney, Australia. Buried Hatfield Woodhouse Cemetery, South Yorkshire.
Hampden AD848 was built to contract B.67577/40 by English Electric Co.Ltd. at Samlesbury and was awaiting collection in January 1941. It was initially received by 24 MU on 23rd February 1941 and was taken on charge by 16 OTU at Upper Heyford on 4th April 1941. On 10th July 1941 it sustained Cat.B/FA damage when it was deliberately swung on take off at Upper Heyford to avoid colliding with another aircraft and the undercarriage collapsed. The aircraft was repaired in a works factory and on completion of repair it passed to 8 MU on 25th October 1941 and was taken on charge by 106 Squadron at Coningsby on 22nd November 1941. It was flown to English Electric on 18th February 1942 for modifications and was returned to 106 squadron on 27th February 1942. The aircraft was transferred to 14 O.T.U. at Cottesmore on 13th March 1942. As a result of the accident on 29th June 1942 near Finningley Cat.E2/FA Burnt damage was recorded and the aircraft was written off. It was struck off charge on 29th June 1942.
Theodore Krome was born in Walkerville, South Australia on 2nd February 1913 and was the son of Heidrich and Clara Krome. He enlisted into the RAAF in Sydney.
Wallace Robson was born in Sydney, Australia on 20th August 1922 where he later enlisted. While undertaking flying training in Canada he met and married his wife Frances, who lived in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Frederick Wood was born on 5th January 1916 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and was the son of Berton Justus and Margaret Jane (nee Montgomery) Wood. As a young man he worked for the Canadian Bank of Commerce as a ledger clerk and bank teller. He enlisted for RCAF service on 7th January 1941 in Vancouver and after training in Canada he was awarded an air observer's flying badge on 29th September 1941. He received a commission on 27th October 1941. Arriving in the UK in January 1942 he trained at 2 AOS before posting to 14 OTU on 7th April 1942
Sgt O'Keefe's grave in Hatfield Woodhouse Cemetery.
