Bestwick, William Henry
Personal Information
Rank | F/S |
Forename(s) | William Henry |
Surname | Bestwick |
Gender | M |
Age | 19 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 23-05-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of George and Ellen Bestwick, of Chesterfield, Derbyshire. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster III |
Serial Number | ED707 |
Markings | DX-H Frederick II |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Runnymede Memorial |
Grave Reference | Panel 142. |
Epitaph | |
Ribbon Stone | 0287 (Block 4, Column 10, Row 1) |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 9 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 1473247 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 5 |
Squadron | 57 |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, East Kirkby, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Sculptures, Inscribed Memeorial Stone & Inscribed Metal Plaques |
Memorial Text | In memory of those who gave their lives with 57 and 630 Squadrons 1939 - 1945 |
Location | Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, East Kirkby, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stenciled 57 Sqn RoH in site Chapel |
Memorial Text | In proud memory of the men of No. 57 Squadron who lost their lives operating from Royal Air Force East Kirkby 1943 to 1945 |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/538/32 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/538/31 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 23-05-1943 |
End Date | 24-05-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Scampton |
Day/Night Raid | Night (78% moon) |
Operation | Dortmund |
Reason for Loss | Shot down by Lt Heinz Grimm's night fighter as the Lancaster headed for home, crashing between the Dutch coast and the island of Texel. It was one of Grimm's 26 victims |