Personnel Index - Detail

Name
DARBYSHIRE
First Names
Herbert
Rank
Sgt
Service
RAF
Service Number
1481728
Crew Position
Air Gunner
Age
22
Date of Death
16/03/1945
Cemetery

 

Photographed by Malcolm Brooke
From the panel at Runnymede
 

The Runnymede image was created by artist Paul Reid using photographs taken by Jo Cockburn and Malcolm Brooke
 

Image courtesy of David Hopkins

Photograph courtesy of Mrs Deborah Howcroft
 

Photograph courtesy of Mrs Deborah Howcroft
Herbert's cap badge
 

Photograph courtesy of Mrs Deborah Howcroft
Herbert's medals
 

16/17 March, 1945; WÜRZBURG:

The squadron prepared to send 17 aircraft on the 5 Group attack to the virgin target of Würzburg. The first aircraft took off at 17.53hrs. The operation proved to be a devastating attack for Würzburg, by 225 Lancasters and 11 Mosquitoes of 5 Group. Post-war reports suggest that almost 90 per cent of the built-up area was destroyed. 6 Lancasters failed to return, of which 2 belonged to 49 Squadron.

Four members of F/O Doug Whent's (ME454) crew survived being brought down. Sadly, Sgt Frank Haylock flight engineer, and air gunner Sgt George Leeke were killed and are now buried in Choley War Cemetery, France. Sgt Bert Darbyshire has no known grave but is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial.

Lancaster ME454 (EA-E)
F/O D.I. Whent Pilot (Survivor)
Sgt F.R. Haylock F/E (Killed)
Sgt F.P. Anderson NAV (Survivor)
F/S R.H. Usher W/OP (Survivor)
Sgt G.C. Leeke A/G (Killed)
Sgt E.J. Sullivan B/A (Survivor)
Sgt H. Darbyshire A/G (Missing)

Crew on their 4th operation

Colin Cripps (Association Researcher):
Possibly a victim of Hptm. Helmut Gaul of 1./NJG6

Herbert's name is also recorded on a memorial in Manchester