Dorothy Search, RAF Warboys

RAF Warboys

History of RAF Warboys

1941 November 15th

The airplane departed RAF Warboys at 2220LT on an operation to Kiel. Shortly after liftoff, it encountered difficulties to gain height, clipped a line of trees and crashed just beyond the airfield. All seven crew members evacuated safely before the airplane exploded and was destroyed.
Crew:
P/O S. P. Hedgehill,
Sgt McMillan,
Sgt Gahan,
Sgt R. J. Cook,
Sgt Sullivan,
Sgt C. J. Du Preez,
Sgt Sawyer.

Houses near the crash were evacuated and it was two days before the area was safe enough for the school to reopen.

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‘Warboys at War’, Harold Shelton (1996), contains the reminiscences of various people who served at the airbase.

2008225 LACW Dorothy Search

She started work in the airmen’s mess aged just 18. her account is moving and notes the tragedies and accidents that happened.

Vincent Ryan, Fitter 11E 156 Squadron

His reminiscences describe the duties of the fitters and well as social life.

Cpl D A A Radford 644683

Cpl D A A R C Hacker 1199998 F11A

His reminiscences describe the different locations at the airbase.

Flt Sgt P Hodkinson 566358

He describes what was necessary to maintain the Lancaster bombers that flew from Warboys.