Trafford

Born during the September quarter 1919 in the Basford R.D. - ref: 7b/478,
the son of George Bingham & Rachel Margaret Murray (nee Lewis).

At the time of the 1911 Census, his parents and elder siblings were
residing at 20 St. John's Road, Old Trafford.    His father was aged: 39 -
occ: Civil Servant "Pension Officer 1st Class" with the Customs and Excise
Department - born: Harold's Cross, Dublin.   His mother was aged: 33 and
born at Merthyr-Tydfil.   Plus 5 elder siblings.   The family had moved
from Wales to Manchester around 1907.

B.A. (Oxon).

Attached to 15 Squadron Bomber Command, they took off in a Stirling Mk.I
bomber No. N6067 LS-E at 23.37 hrs from RAF Wyton on the 25th February 1942
for a bombing mission over the Kiel Canal.   They were unable to find their
target, so switched to bomb the Island of Sylt close to the Danish/German
border where there were four German airfields.   The Ack-Ack was strong and
they sustained some damage to the aircraft.  They also had to take evasive
action and in doing so were uncertain of their position as they headed
home.

The pilot - Squadron Leader M.D.H. Wilson gave te crew the offer of baling
out, but only Sergeant Spalding did, the others stayed with the aircraft. 
At 05.45 hrs on the morning of the 26th February, the pilot prepared to
crash land, which they did at Beck Lodge Farm, close to RAF Mildenhall.  
The aircraft crashed through a brick wall at the farm and Lt. Murray who
was in the front turret was killed.

The crash was attributed to engine failure after running low on fuel.  Lt.
Murray was one of only 16 officers who had volunteered to fly as air
gunners on bombing missions over Germany to learn first hand about German
Anti-aircraft defences.  He had been attached from 12 OTU (Operational
Training Unit) since the 15th December 1941 and was the only member of the
8 man crew to be killed.

For further information see -
http://aircrewremembered.com/wilson-mathew-drummond.html

Buried 03/03/1942 - Burial No. 18,467.

His father - George died: 1st November 1931, aged: 60 years and his mother
- Rachel Margaret, died: 3rd February 1964, aged: 86 years.