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DORMON ORE
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DORMON, Oliver

Aircraft Information
Aircraft
Serial Number
Markings
Memorial information
Burial/Memorial Country United Kingdom
Burial/Memorial Place Runnymede Memorial
Grave Reference Panel 171..
Epitaph
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase 2
Panel Number 156
Enlistment information
Service Number 1391523
Service Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Group 4
Squadron Snaith
Trade Ground
Country of origin if different United Kingdom
Last Operation information
Start Date 30-11--0001
End Date 30-11--0001
Takeoff Station
Day/Night raid
Operation
Reason for Loss At 13.20hrs, on 19th June 1943 the bomb load was being prepared for the night's planned operations to le Creusot a serious explosion happened in Snaith airfield's bomb dump. A large fuzed bomb accidently detonated after it had been armed and the explosion caused the incendiary store nearby it catch fire. A large number of high explosive bombs that had already been fully fuzed for operational use were also caught in the initial blast, some also exploded up to twelve hours after the initial explosion. Because the heat from the incendiary fire was intense and the fuzed bombs were fitted with delayed-action fuzes and other with dangerous anti-disturbance devices it was not safe to enter the area for fear of further explosions. The main LNER railway line was closed and it was left until 09.00hrs the following day before area was assessed from the air. W/Co John Rowlands MBE was a bomb disposal expert and had been at an airfield near Snaith when he saw the explosion. The following day he took up a Tiger Moth to inspect the bomb dump from the air and reported seeing a number of dead in the area but it was deemed that the area was still not safe to enter on the ground. It was not until 26th June 1943 that it was felt safe enough to venture into the bomb dump and ten bodies were removed, nine of which were identified and one was not possible to identify. The bodies of a further eight were never found such was the devastation. The funeral for the ten victims found was held in Selby Abbey on 30th June 1943 with all being buried in Selby Cemetery. W/Co Rowlands and S/Ldr Herbert Apted led the operation to make the area safe, their team then started to clear the area and a large number of bombs were dealt with over a number of days.