75 Sqdn Lancaster ND915 Gilmour crew

[lancaster103]

Hello,

I am looking after 75 Sqdn ORB's for the Gilmour crew shotdown 21 July 1944 over Keldonk in Holland. No 75 Sqdn lost seven aircraft in the raid to Homberg Oil plant that night. Five crewmembers where killed among them W/O H.E.Gilmour(RAAF), F/Sgt S.Mills(RAAF), F/Sgt J.E.Osborne(RAAF), Sgt R.E.Buzza, Sgt J.L.Stephenson. Navigator W/O Lindsey Woodward and MIduppergunner Sgt W.Ballard escaped.

Looking for contacts with relatives of this crew. All info appreciated!!

Regards,
Adrian van Zantvoort/Holland

[waynem]

Hello Adrian,

A quick look seems to show the Gilmour crew flew their first four ops in Stirling aircraft, then 21 more ops in Lancaster aircraft.

I'll check out your other crew too, but as it's Christmas Day, I'll do it tomorrow.

Regards,
Wayne.

[waynem]

23 March 44.
Administration. Aus22776 Sgt Gilmour and crew arrived on posting from No.218 squadron.
24 April 44. Administration. The following crews were detached to No.3 L.F.S. Feltwell :- NZ413043 S/L L. Drummond and crew, NZ424505 F/S L. O'Conner and crew, NZ414560 F/S H. Burtt and crew, NZ424446 F/S D. Gibson and crew, Aus 22776 F/S H. Gilmour and crew and NZ42710 F/S D. Brown and crew.
30 April 44. Administration. The following captains and crews ceased to be detached to No.3 L.F.S Feltwell. NZ413043 S/L L. Drummond, NZ424505 F/S L. O'Conner, NZ414560 F/S H. Burtt, NZ424446 F/S D. Gibson, Aus 22776 F/S H. Gilmour and NZ42710 F/S D. Brown.
20/21 April 44. Operations. Mining in the Brest Estuary.
Stirling III EH949. Up. 21:00. Down. 22:30
F/S H. Gilmour. Captain. RAAF
F/S D. Gray. Nav. RAAF
F/S S. Mills. A/B. RAAF
F/S J. Osborne. WO/Air. RAAF
Sgt R. Buzza. F/Eng.
Sgt W. Ballard. M/U/Gnr.
Sgt J. Stephenson. R/Gnr.
Forced to jettison mines and return to base.
22/23 April 44. Operations. Attack against Laon.
Stirling III EF152. Up. 22:10. Down. 02:15
23/24 April 44. Operations. Mining in Kiel Bay.
Stirling III EF152. Up. 20:43. Down.03:05
25 April 44. F/S Gilmour on 5 days leave.
10/11 May 44. Operations. Attack against Courtrai.
Lancaster III ND915. Up. 22:10. Down. 00:55
11/12 May 44. Operations. Attack against Louvain [Leuven].
Lancaster III ND915. Up. 22:57. Down. 02:23
19/20 May 44. Operations. Attack against Le Mans.
Lancaster III ND915. Up. 22:10. Down. 02:50
21/22 May 44. Operations. Attack against Duisburg.
Lancaster III ND915. Up. 23:05. Down. 03:45
22/23 May 44. Operations. Attack against Dortmund.
30/31 May 44. Operations. Attack against Boulogne.
6/7 June 44. Operations. Attack against Lisieux.
10/11 June 44. Operations. Attack against Dreux.
11/12 June 44. Operations. Attack against Nantes.
14/15 June 44. Operations. Attack against Le Havre.
15/16 June 44. Operations. Attack against Valenciennes.
23/24 June 44. Operations. Attack against the constructional works at L'Hey.
24/25 June 44. Operations. Attack against Rimeux.
5/6 July 44. Operations. Attack against Watten.
7/8 July 44. Operations. Attack against Varies.
9 July 44. Operations. Attack against Linzeux.
10 July 44. Operations. Attack against Nucourt.
12 July 43. Operations. Attack against Vaires.
15/16 July 44. Operations. Attack against Chalons Sur Marne.
17 July 44. Operations. Attack against Vaires.
18 July 1944. Operations. Attack against Cagny.
20/21 July 44. Operations. Attack against Homberg. Twenty six aircraft as detailed took off to attack the Oil Refinery at Homberg. Nineteen aircraft were successful in bombing the target, with the aid of markers which seemed well concentrated. Two good explosions were seen and smoke came up from the target area. Heavy A.A. Fire was moderate but enemy fighters were very active, eight combats taking place. Seven aircraft failed to return, these were captained by Aus22776 W/O H. Gilmour, NZ428819 F/S E. Howell, NZ421829 F/S K. MacKay, NZ422057 F/S N. Davidson, W/O H. Whittington, NZ413219 F/S G. Roach and NZ414560 P/O H. Burtt.
I hope this is of interest to you.
Regards,
Wayne.

[lancaster103]

Fantastic info Waynem. Realy fantastic. I am realy happy with this info. Will send you a PM.

Cheers and many Thanks,
Adrian

[oggie2620]

Adrian
I have friends in Feltwell who would be interested in these guys especially the 75 Sqn connection.
Dee

[matk]

Hi, not sure who is still active. Sam Mills was my great uncle. Both he and Hugh are from Southport on the Gold Coast. Have more information including letter from surviving crew to Mills family. my email is [e-mail]

[fwx]

Hi Matt, Thanks for your message, yes I am interested and will email you. Cheers, Chris