YOUR RESPONSES

Padraig Mcgowan - Aug '06
Hi
I found this article on the crash of the Sunderland near Belleek, fascinating as my father was born and raised between belleek and garrison and is buried there.

Can anyone advise details of the son's wedsite. I am currently trying to help a canadian organistion trace war graves from both world wars and wonder what happened to the crew who didn't survive. Does anyone have details of the roster for the crew?

Peter Matthews - June '06
My Father was based at Lough Erne during the war as an instrument fitter.
Next week (20th June) I am taking him and my Mother to Lough Erne to revist where he was stationed. Does anyone have any suggestions for the best place to visit.
Peter

James Stewart - March '06
The 201 Sqaudron Sunderland was lost at night in a trainign exercise. The pilot was attempting to land and he over shot the flare path , he dropped his port wing to go around and the wing tip touched the water and the aircraft crashed. The flare path was closed and other returning aircraft were diverted to Pembroke Dock in South Wales. The aircraft remains in the Lough , one of two war graves. ( The other being a 240 Squadron catalina which crashed in May 1941).

201 had previously lost another Sunderland in a training exercise in June 43. This aircraft crashed on the flare path on a bright sunny morning , the Lough being flat calm - difficult conditions in which to land.(This aircraft was recovered.) The instructing pilot (Douglas Gall was awarded a DFC for sinking U-440 , on 30th May 43.)

F/lt. Dolphin lost in Nov. 43 had also been involved in attacks made on U-boats traversing the Biscay .

James Stewart - March '06
202 Squadron came to Lough Erne from "Gib" (Gibralter) in September 44 , staying until the end of the war in 1945. The Squadron lost two aircraft , a second crashing out bound to Biscay (Near Castlegregory , County Kerry). A number of aircrew were accomadated at Roc Bay on Boa Island. This sheltered bay protected by Crunnish Island provided and acnhorage for 131 OTU's Sunderland flight. Approximately 300 aircrew were lost on operational and training flights from Lough Erne , the 70 war dead who remain in the County are the enduring reminder of youngmen who became so much a part of daily life.

Andy Spiller - Jan '06
My mother’s church is to be pulled down this year and the future of the memorial to the six members of the church who lost their lives during the 2nd World War is at present uncertain. I have recently taken pictures of this memorial (at least to preserve the information) and have decided to research these six men. As I have spent the last five years researching my own family’s part in the Great War this is not too arduous a task! Anyway you may be interested to know that Douglas Nater is one of the six recorded. He is one of the chaps who was killed in Catalina JX242 on 20th November 1944 and buried in the local parish graveyard in Ilford. A quick look at the CWGC register confirms that all the bodies (at least of the UK dead) were sent home for burial. He was an only child and I remember his parents at church when I was a youngster.

I was a flight sergeant wireless operator air gunner and we lived in nissen huts at Irvinestown travelling by crew bus to Castle Archdale for our flights, I have many happy and some sad memories of my time in Northern Ireland and will always remember the kindness and friendliness of the local population.

Prior to arriving at Castle Archdale I spent 7 weeks at Killadeas which was then 131 Catalina OTU (Operational Training Unit). I hope one day to revisit the Emerald Isle and once again enjoy a real pint of "Porter"

Two airforce memorial stones at Lough Navar Forest