RAF Bourn

History of RAF Bourn

AH sent this note in 2023:

My first boss at Lloyd’s of London was Don McClelland DFC. After two tours on bombers he joined 162 Sqn at Bourn in 1945 as a pilot. He flew the last bomber sortie of WW2 in Europe of Bomber Command . The raid was against the German port of Kiel. I visited the airfield which I understand will be a housing estate. I was able to drive onto the airfield.  Don died in the 1980s.

RAF Bourn

Bourn Airfield was constructed for Bomber Command in 1940 as a satellite airfield for Oakington. From 23rd July 1941 it was used by 101 Sqn Wellingtons for training and from February 1942 was fully operational. Next 15 Squadron were based here with Stirlings and then in 1943 97 Squadron with Lancasters. In 1944 105 and 162 Squadron Mosquitos used the airfield.

MLH sent this note in 2026:

My Uncle, 1270197 Sgt Peter David Head RAF XV Squadron, and was Radio Operator and Air Gunner, flying a Stirling bomber.He was killed during what my father termed as ‘Bumps and Hops’ operations. Instead for the normal 7 man crew they had 4 passengers. All were killed when the aircraft failed to pull out of a steep turn out of the low cloud on the late morning of 29th October 1942. The plane crashed into the 40-Foot Drain, just south of Downham Market, Norfolk. The pilot was an extremely competent and well-respected SL Charles G Fisher, and his co-Pilot Sgt Walter Hood.  Peter David Head was buried at Marham Cemetery, Norfolk, in a collective grave 48-50. He was just 21yrs of Age. I understand from my father (Thomas Wm Gilbert Head Jnr, died 2001) that the incident and its victims are commemorated in the Parish Church of Downham Market, although when I went some years back, the church was locked!

The whole Dossier was extremely kindly researched by  Martyn R. Ford-Jones in 2021. The above is just an extract. I have also incorporated Peter’s story in a published family history (6 Volumes!) published also in 2021.