Eddie Fitzgerald - 206 Squadron - 1940
545600 Sergeant
E Fitzgerald
Wireless Operator/Air Gunner
Royal Air Force
14th August 1940 Age 21
Name: FITZGERALD, EDDIE
Rank: Sergeant (W.Op./Air Gnr.)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Unit Text: 206 Sqdn.
Age: 21 Date of Death: 14/08/1940 Service No: 545600
Additional information: Son of Edward and Mary Ann Fitzgerald, of Norwich.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. O. Grave 3/302. Cemetery: NORWICH (THE ROSARY) CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2764291
206 Squadron was in Coastal Command at this time, flying Lockheed Hudson’s out of St.Eval, having previously been based at Bircham Newton until June.
Sergeant Fitzgerald was part of the crew of the Hudson piloted by Pilot Officer Herbert Ballantyne, who is buried in the churchyard at Bircham Newton. This churchyard has been lovingly researched and includes the following information,
Herbert Ballantyne learnt to fly in his native New Zealand and was awarded his wings in the RNZAF on 12/2/40. He embarked for UK 2 weeks later and was awarded a commission with RAF on13/4/40.
On 27/4/40 he was posted to an OTU for training on twin engined aircraft and in June he was posted to 206 Sqn. at RAF Bircham Newton. He had completed 17 operational flights before mid August 1940.
P/O Ballantyne was killed in Lockheed Hudson I, serial N7401, 5 minutes after a night take-off at 03.15hrs from RAF Docking. Control of the aircraft was lost in the circuit, probably due to the cockpit lights being set too bright, disguising the fact that the aircraft was over-banking. The port wing hit the ground, causing the aircraft to cart-wheel before disintegrating and catching fire. The aircraft crashed at Sunderland Farm near the Airfield killing 3 of the 4 crew. Herbert Ballantyne was buried with fellow New Zealander P/O John Stephenson, in a joint funeral, with full military honours, on 17 August 1940.The other crew member who died (Sgt. Eddie Fitzgerald) is buried at the Rosary Cemetery, Norwich. The 4th crew member (Sgt.J.Steel) survived the crash.
John Stephenson was a New Zealander from Taranaki, Wellington and was the Navigator on the flight.
www.norfolkwargraves.org.uk/Main/Allied.htm
Herbert Gregory Ballantyne
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2763640
John Oscar Lloyd Stephenson
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2763698
Eddie Fitzgerald - 206 Squadron - 1940
545600 Sergeant
E Fitzgerald
Wireless Operator/Air Gunner
Royal Air Force
14th August 1940 Age 21
Name: FITZGERALD, EDDIE
Rank: Sergeant (W.Op./Air Gnr.)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Unit Text: 206 Sqdn.
Age: 21 Date of Death: 14/08/1940 Service No: 545600
Additional information: Son of Edward and Mary Ann Fitzgerald, of Norwich.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. O. Grave 3/302. Cemetery: NORWICH (THE ROSARY) CEMETERY
CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2764291
206 Squadron was in Coastal Command at this time, flying Lockheed Hudson’s out of St.Eval, having previously been based at Bircham Newton until June.
Sergeant Fitzgerald was part of the crew of the Hudson piloted by Pilot Officer Herbert Ballantyne, who is buried in the churchyard at Bircham Newton. This churchyard has been lovingly researched and includes the following information,
Herbert Ballantyne learnt to fly in his native New Zealand and was awarded his wings in the RNZAF on 12/2/40. He embarked for UK 2 weeks later and was awarded a commission with RAF on13/4/40.
On 27/4/40 he was posted to an OTU for training on twin engined aircraft and in June he was posted to 206 Sqn. at RAF Bircham Newton. He had completed 17 operational flights before mid August 1940.
P/O Ballantyne was killed in Lockheed Hudson I, serial N7401, 5 minutes after a night take-off at 03.15hrs from RAF Docking. Control of the aircraft was lost in the circuit, probably due to the cockpit lights being set too bright, disguising the fact that the aircraft was over-banking. The port wing hit the ground, causing the aircraft to cart-wheel before disintegrating and catching fire. The aircraft crashed at Sunderland Farm near the Airfield killing 3 of the 4 crew. Herbert Ballantyne was buried with fellow New Zealander P/O John Stephenson, in a joint funeral, with full military honours, on 17 August 1940.The other crew member who died (Sgt. Eddie Fitzgerald) is buried at the Rosary Cemetery, Norwich. The 4th crew member (Sgt.J.Steel) survived the crash.
John Stephenson was a New Zealander from Taranaki, Wellington and was the Navigator on the flight.
www.norfolkwargraves.org.uk/Main/Allied.htm
Herbert Gregory Ballantyne
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2763640
John Oscar Lloyd Stephenson
www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2763698