Wheeler, Harry Sidney
Personal Information
Rank | Sgt |
Forename(s) | Harry Sidney |
Surname | Wheeler |
Gender | M |
Age | |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 23-08-1943 |
Next of Kin |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster |
Serial Number | ED767 |
Markings |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Camberwell New Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Square 67. Grave 7859. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 263 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 1379371 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 1 |
Squadron | 103 |
Trade | WOp/AG |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | All Saints Church, Elsham, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone Tablet |
Memorial Text | Dedicated to all who served at RAF Elsham Wolds on 103 7 576 Squadrons 1941-45 |
Location | Anglian Water Treatment Works, Elsham Wolds, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone Pillar & Plaques |
Memorial Text | Pillar : RAF Elsham Wolds, 1941-1945, For those who made the great sacrifice. Plaque :This tree is dedicated to all those who served with 103 Squadron Royal Air Force. Plaque : RAF Elsham Wolds, Opened in Summer 1941 as a bomber station in No1 group, it w |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 23-08-1943 |
End Date | 24-08-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Elsham Wolds |
Day/Night Raid | Night (37% moon) |
Operation | Berlin |
Reason for Loss | While at the dispersal doing their pre-flight checks the bomb load on the adjacent aircraft (W4323) dropped to the ground and the incendiaries began to burn. The pilot of ED767 decided that the safest course of action was to taxi away from the scene but the Cookie bomb beneath W4323 exploded in the heat killing the wireless operator due to flying shrapnel. A tractor driver, who was trying to pull W4323 to safety, was badly injured when his trator somersaulted along the dispersal as a result of the massive explosion. He survived, although injured, and was awarded a BEM for his bravery. |