Woodmason Brothers
562366, Sergeant (Observer) Thomas Baker Woodmason, Age 27
150 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Died 20 September 1939
Sergeant (Observer) 562366, 150 Squadron, Royal Air Force. Died 20/09/1939. Age 27.
Born in Ipswich in 1912, the middle of three sons of William Carey Woodmason and Mabel Harriett nee Rattee. William died in 1935 and sometime after 1939 Mabel moved to 9 Montague Road, Felixstowe.
Sergeant Woodmason was Observer on Fairey Battle I L5225 when they took off from Ecury sur Coole, Reims, France on 20th September 1939 1115 hrs on a daytime photographic mission. They were flying low over Ecury when at 1135 hrs the plane dived, crashed into the ground and burst into flames killing all three on board. The crew are commemorated at Ecury-sur-Coole where the propellor has been turned into a memorial. All three are buried at Clichy Northern Cemetery.
Royal Air Force
Grave at Clichy Northern Cemetery
Fairey Battle Mk 1
Memorial at Ecury sur Coole
46823, Pilot Officer William George Jack Woodmason, Age 28
Royal Air Force Ferry Command
Died 25 April 1942
DFC. Pilot Officer 46823, Royal Air Force Ferry Command. Died 25/04/1942. Age 28.
Born in 1914, in Ipswich, the youngest of three sons of William Carey Woodmason and Mabel Harriett nee Rattee. William died in 1935 and sometime after 1939 Mabel moved to 9 Montague Road, Felixstowe.
Pilot Officer Woodmason was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross - London Gazette dated 13 February 1942. Air Ministry Bulletin 6298.
"This officer participated in the squadron's operational activities in France and afterwards when it operated from this country. He has shown himself to be an outstanding navigator/bomb aimer, whose efficiency, devotion to duty and coolness in action have enabled his crew to carry out highly successful raids on long distance targets such as Berlin, Stettin and Turin in difficult weather conditions.
"On one occasion, whilst attacking Duisburg, one engine of his aircraft was put out of action by enemy shellfire. Nevertheless, his captain jettisoned all moveable gear and kept the aircraft flying, and Pilot Officer Woodmason navigated it back to base where a safe landing was made."
An SOS was received at 1202 hrs 25th April 1942 from Liberator B-24D (USA) 41-1119, the plane one of 13 being rushed to the UK from Gander to counter U-Boats for Ferry Command, was reported down in the sea west of Donegal Bay.Crew; G/Capt. H R Carefoot RCAF (pilot), W/Comm.M J C Stanley RAF (pilot), P/O WW G J Woodmason RAF (Nav.) L B Doherty Canadian civilian, (RO) and H I Douglas Canadian civilian, (FE). Despite extensive searches nothing was found. Commemorated on the Ottawa Memorial.
Ottawa Memorial
Distinguished Flying Cross
Royal Air Force Ferry Command
Consolidated B24 Liberator