Date: 15th March 1943.
Unit: No.34 Squadron R.A.F.
Type: Bristol Blenheim V.
Serial: BA617.
Code: ?
Location: 2.5 miles East of Khumbirgram drome, India.
Base: Khumbirgram, india.
Pilot: W/O. Gordon Roger Jeffreys 406358. R.A.A.F. Age 24. Killed.
Nav./Bomber: Flt/Sgt. John Hearne 1153169. R.A.F.V.R. Age 22. Killed.
W/Op/Air/Gnr: Flt/Sgt Ronald Ernest Skinner 749472. R.A.F.V.R. Age 22. Killed.
REASON FOR LOSS:
Blenheim V, BA617 took-off at 1500 hours on 15th March 1943 from Silchar drome, en route for Khumbirgram drome. At 1530 hours the aircraft crashed 2.5 miles East of Khumbirgram drome and was completely burnt out. All three crew members were killed in the crash.
From eye witness reports it appeared the aircraft stalled while carrying out a turn with undercarriage and flaps down. It was considered that the crash was caused by a stall off a turn, to low a speed with the aircraft's undercarriage and flaps down. No bombs were carried.
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Left: Flt/Sgt Ronald Ernest Skinner. Right: No. 34 Squadron Blenheim V preparing for mission in India.
Burial details:
W/O. Gordon Roger Jeffreys 406358 R.A.A.F. Gauhati War Cemetery India, Plot 4. Row D. Grave 19.
Son of Robert Stanley and Rosa Jeffreys, of Fremantle, Western Australia.
Fl/Sgt. John Hearne 1153169 R.A.F.V.R. Gauhati War Cemetery India, Plot 4. Row D. Grave 18.
Son of Walter and Deborah Hearne, of Birmingham.
Fl/Sgt. Ronald Ernest Skinner 749472 R.A.F.V.R. Gauhati War Cemetery India, Plot 4. Row D. Grave 17.
Son of Ernest Charles and Florence Trixie Skinner, of Bassett, Hampshire.
Gauhati War Cemetery India.
Research by David King. Page constructed for the sister of Ronald Skinner,who kindly provided his photo, in memory of him and his crew. Thanks to C.W.G.C. for burial details. and special thanks also to George Egleton who made this remembrance page possible.