Bridgwater crash appeal

Kyt · Feb 15, 2008

Appeal Over Bridgwater Wwii Crash Victim (from Bridgwater Mercury)

A PLANE crash in a Nottinghamshire village during World War Two has led historians to Bridgwater in search of information about the one of the RAF members on board.

Sgt Robert Preece, son of Herbert and Daisy Preece from Bridgwater, died on February 18, 1943, aged just 22, after his plane crashed in the village of Staunton in the Vale, near Grantham, Nottinghamshire.

Several years ago Sgt Preece and his crew on the plane were honoured with a war memorial in the village, featuring a propeller blade from the aircraft and a brass plaque with details of the crash.

Now the residents of Staunton in the Vale are looking to gather information on Sgt Preece, who has a war grave at Bridgwater's Wembdon St George's Church, and the rest of the crew, for an event being planned this spring.

Villagers are attempting to find out if any of Sgt Preece's relatives or friends who still live in Bridgwater, requesting photographs of the RAF Volunteer Reserve - or a digital photograph of his headstone.

A retired Bridgwater resident is already leading the campaign to find out more information after spotting information about Sgt Preece's war grave in a parish newsletter released by St George's Church in Wembdon.

Leslie Preston, who worked with Sgt Preece's cousin at British Cellophane in Bridgwater in the 1950s, said: "I saw someone from the Grantham had got in touch with the church.

"I just feel I would like to explore any possibilities that exist and anyone who knew Robert Preece can contact me on 01278-423264."
Click to expand...

Lancaster W4270 61 Squadron
Lost during training flight

Crashed at 2256 following an engine fire flying in the circuit at Bottesford airfield, Leicestershire. All crew killed

W/O T H Warne RCAF
Sgt G A Hitchon
Sgt R J Preece
Sgt T R Newton
Sgt J M Whitehead
Sgt E J Loverock
Sgt J Coaker

David Layne · Feb 15, 2008

For what its worth..................Grantham is in Lincolnshire.

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Bridgwater crash appeal

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