- Contributed by听
- ambervalley
- People in story:听
- Bill Edwards and his crew & Wyn Edwards
- Location of story:听
- Lincolnshire
- Background to story:听
- Royal Air Force
- Article ID:听
- A2808524
- Contributed on:听
- 05 July 2004
626 Squadron Lancaster Bombers, Lincolnshire
My husband Bill Edwards was a flight sergeant with the 626 squadron Lancaster Bombers. The crew consisted of Michael York (pilot), Wilfred Smith, Ken Mc Dowell, Maurice Mouchet, Bill Edwards (wireless operator), Jack Ellis and Alf Baker (rear gunner).
At the time this picture was taken they were on Operations over Germany. My Bill then aged 27 was considered as the 'father of the crew' because the pilot himself was only 21 and the rear gunner only 19. So Bill was a steadying influence in times of danger.
Because Bill was allowed 48 hours compassionate leave on the birth of our second son, someone else took his place on a bombing raid , the rest of his crew were brought down over Germany and we never heard of them again.
This played on Bills mind so much so that he felt the need to go and see Mike's parents. Mike was an only son and a wonderful pilot and although he hadn't Bill felt that he had let the crew down by not being there.
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