Just one of the reasons we felt compelled to build a memorial to honour those who served here during the Second World War. RAF North Creake – Operations Record Book16th June 1944
The A.C.O. paid a visit to the Station in the evening. No. 199 Squadron was detailed to provide sixteen aircraft for operations in protective support of the Bomber Stream. Fourteen aircraft carried out their instructions successfully, one aircraft ‘X’ returned early owing to his ‘Gee’ and Alternator being u/s. The weather was 10/10 cloud at 10,000 but clear above with good visibility at 15,000ft. One aircraft ‘N’ was missing, nothing being heard from him since Take-Off.
P/O Dale – Captain
F/O Brittain
F/S Swadling
Sgt Latimer
P/O Wittleston – Nav.
F/S Lofthose
Sgt Higginbottom
Sgt. Watts
All crew lost – the first loss from RAF North Creake. Nothing is known of what happened to the aircraft and this has led to great speculation, although there is suggestion that it was claimed by a pilot of KG 51. It is now unlikely the true story will ever emerge. We had the honour of having Flight Officer Brittain’s great niece and great grandson visit to pay their respects by placing a poppy against his name in our newly dedicated memorial. Jodie, the great niece, also gave us her great uncle’s ‘missing’ letter which we’ve since had restored by a paper conservator as part of the Time to Remember project. Flight Engineer Claude ‘Ted’ Allen commemorated the loss by painting a picture of the Stirling in the 199 Squadron office at RAF North Creake. The mural was removed in 1983 by the Fenland Aircraft Preservation Society, coordinated by John Reid, and is now on display at the RAF museum in Hendon.