Ernest John Lowater
Sergeant, Royal Australian Air Force
Son of Frederick Morton Lowater & Louise Jane Lowater, of Balgowlah, New South Wales, Australia
Died 19 August 1941
26 years old
Row D, Grave 3
Sergeant, Royal Australian Air Force
Son of Frederick Morton Lowater & Louise Jane Lowater, of Balgowlah, New South Wales, Australia
Died 19 August 1941
26 years old
Row D, Grave 3
Aircraft crashed at Laxfield near Ipswich during operational flight, Whitley Z6731, 51 Squadron, 19 August 1941.
Pilot Officer W J Loney (RCAF),
Sergeant J L Gilman,
Sergeant R E Bennett,
Sergeant J Taylor,
Sergeant E J Lowater (RAAF):
The airplane departed RAF Dishforth at 2129LT on August 18 on an operation to Cologne.
While returning to base the following night, it crashed at 0315LT on the B1116 road near Crouches Farm at Laxfield.
All five crew members were killed.
Pilot Officer W J Loney (RCAF),
Sergeant J L Gilman,
Sergeant R E Bennett,
Sergeant J Taylor,
Sergeant E J Lowater (RAAF):
The airplane departed RAF Dishforth at 2129LT on August 18 on an operation to Cologne.
While returning to base the following night, it crashed at 0315LT on the B1116 road near Crouches Farm at Laxfield.
All five crew members were killed.
Ernest John Lowater
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Ernest with his older brother
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From https://aircrewremembered.com/loney-wellington.html
Taking off from RAF Dishforth, Yorkshire at 21:29 hrs going a total force of 62 aircraft on an unsuccessful operation to Cologne. Returning crews reported many fires on the west side of the Rhine however Cologne report that very few bombs were dropped on the city, with just one building destroyed and no casualties. It is thought that the bomber stream were diverted to decoy fires away from the target area.
On the return the aircraft was seen coming in from the south east at a height of approx 2,000 ft on fire.
No communication was received from the aircraft, the cause obscure. Since the W/T was apparently U/S it is possible that the fire originated from damage caused by enemy action. the aircraft crashed at Lime Tree Farm, north west of Laxfield in Suffolk at 03:15 hrs.
Subsequent inspection (28 Oct 1941) revealed that the port engine appeared to have broken away from the aircraft in the air though signs of bearings having been subjected to heat. the engine was discovered some 70 yards from the main wreckage. Crew made no attempt to escape by parachute.
Weather conditions reported at the time was a west south west wind but not strong - visibility very good - trace of cloud at 2,500 ft.
Previous aircraft inspection took place at 11:30 hrs on 18 August 1941 - aircraft and engines passed fit for flight.
Engines Port: Merlin X 148758 Starboard: Merlin X 148380
Taking off from RAF Dishforth, Yorkshire at 21:29 hrs going a total force of 62 aircraft on an unsuccessful operation to Cologne. Returning crews reported many fires on the west side of the Rhine however Cologne report that very few bombs were dropped on the city, with just one building destroyed and no casualties. It is thought that the bomber stream were diverted to decoy fires away from the target area.
On the return the aircraft was seen coming in from the south east at a height of approx 2,000 ft on fire.
No communication was received from the aircraft, the cause obscure. Since the W/T was apparently U/S it is possible that the fire originated from damage caused by enemy action. the aircraft crashed at Lime Tree Farm, north west of Laxfield in Suffolk at 03:15 hrs.
Subsequent inspection (28 Oct 1941) revealed that the port engine appeared to have broken away from the aircraft in the air though signs of bearings having been subjected to heat. the engine was discovered some 70 yards from the main wreckage. Crew made no attempt to escape by parachute.
Weather conditions reported at the time was a west south west wind but not strong - visibility very good - trace of cloud at 2,500 ft.
Previous aircraft inspection took place at 11:30 hrs on 18 August 1941 - aircraft and engines passed fit for flight.
Engines Port: Merlin X 148758 Starboard: Merlin X 148380