Dunno if this is the right place but it's plenty of Trips, Adventures and Meet Up's.
If you're interested in WW2 history and follow ''Ride To The Wall'' I hope u find this of interest :
PB872 - ''Nothing Heard Since Take Off''
My story begins on the 6th March 1945 when a Lancaster Bomber PB872 from 153 Squadron is shot down over Hranice, Czechoslovakia. All 7 crew are killed.
5 of the crew are:
Pilot: 189698 Flying Office William Bailey (RAFVR) age 20 years.
Flight Engineer: 1898834 Sergeant James Howard (RAFVR) age 27 years.
Navigator: 4212786 Flying Officer Reginald Adam (Royal NZ Air Force) age 23 years.
Air Bomber: 164354 Flying Officer Edward Morris (RASFVR) age 21 years.
Air Gunner: 1463894 Sergeant Jack Dixon (RAFVR) age 24.
And in addition:
3022129 Sergeant William Boyd Meechan, son of Thomas and Helen Meechan from Dalmellington, Ayrshire Scotland
And in particular:
3020020 Sergeant Walter Simpson, Rear Gunner and son of William and Janet Simpson from Larkhill, Lanarkshire, Scotland.
Both Walter and William were just 19 years of age.
The 7 bodies are recovered from the crash site and buried in a graveyard next to the local church. Years later they are moved to the Commonwealth War Graves site in Prague Cemetery, where they remain to this day. There are rumors of an 8th unidentified / unnamed person who was on the flight – dressed in ‘’civies’’. Now nothing else is known of this person, apart from several confirmations of the body being found. Suit and Shiny shoes apparently.
We move forward to October 2017 and Swansea, South Wales:
Members of the ‘’Black Mountains Chapter’’ (BMC) part of the worldwide Harley Davidson Group ( HOG ) are planning to visit Prague for the 115th Harley Davidson Anniversary event the following year.
BMC members have attended the annual ‘’Ride to the Wall’’ event @ the National Memorial Arboretum for many years. They are joined by over 7000 bikers from all over the UK. The NMA remembers those who’ve have lost their lives on duty or as an act of terrorism since the Second World War. Within the grounds are many individual memorials but the Arboretum is crowned by a central, circular wall with all the names engraved on it. Among the ‘’Biker’’ community many have joined the ‘’Adopt a solider’’ concept, where individuals are remembered, their stories learned and honored by people with no direct links.
In planning our 12-day trip to Prague we look at interesting places to visit which include Flanders Fields, the Mohne Dam and Dresden. We are constantly aware of the ‘’Wall’’ at the NMA and then just as an off chance, I look Prague Cemetery. I come across the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s web site as it details all the fallen buried at the Cemetery - the NMA Wall is now a ‘’Virtual Wall’’.
We begin looking for obvious ‘’links’’ - same surnames, Welsh Serviceman and people with Welsh links. There’s’ nothing that immediately stands out, so we then look at the ages of the Fallen. Along with 230 service men and women that are laid to rest, the youngest are Walter and William. We decide to investigate Walter further.
Over winter many hours are spent trawling the internet, looking at military records and piecing together the history of PB872, of 153 Squadron, Lincoln. Contacts are made with the 153 Squadron Veterans Association (Jill Saunders) and many conversations take place. Jill mentions a short book about this particular Lancaster PB872 and it’s crew entitled ‘’Nothing Heard Since Take Off’’.
With our research it seems that the actual crash site and Hranice could vaguely be ‘’on our route’’. Could we call in ? Thinking outside the box I fire off several E mails to the Mayor of Hranice with a request to visit. I don’t hear back for quite a while, but it seems they’re interested in our request and just before our departing I receive an invitation to visit Hranice. We’re to be guests of the mayor, a translator, and several local historians. We’ve just taken a massive step forward.
In July 2018, 40 Chapter members pay their respects @ the cemetery in Prague. Numerous Poppies and a wreath from 153 squadron are ‘’flown’’ out to Prague by chapter members. It’s an emotional service – it’s the first time I’ve seen the 7 headstones together and the reality hits home. Live pictures and videos are relayed back to 153 Squadron in England. Adrian, one of our members plays several laments on his bagpipes. Once again there’s’ many tears for our servicemen - both in Prague and at home.
We’ve scheduled the Hranice meeting – Monday morning. It’s quite surreal as its 4-hour ride for us from our hotel in Prague and then we’ve another 100 miles to do to get to our next overnight stay. All the information I’ve got is the translator’s mobile number, some directions and a 12 o’clock appointment at the Town Hall. We’ve done a bit of homework and as tradition dictates, we carry 7 Red Roses - to be laid the crash memorial. The reception we receive is amazing, after all we are initally total strangers but all with a common interest. We spend many hours discussing our findings and are shocked with what really happened and how it was in Hranice during WW2 – both before and after the crash. I’m desperate to get part of our Lancaster – so we can at least ‘’bring it home’’, but we’re told that there’s nothing left – and it’s explained why. We’re then given a lift to a forest just outside the village – on hillside where the Lancaster crashed and a small memorial. We pay our respects and it’s a very thoughtful time. In the forest we collect some pinecones and then see several small Oak saplings in the ground. Pen knives out, we get 3 or 4 dug up to take home. At least it’s something to take back to Swansea on our bikes. We have an emotional departure from our hosts and promise to keep in touch. It’s been hell of a day and once we get to our hotel all are physical and mentally drained.
Over the winter of 2018 the saplings are much cared for and with further conversations with Jill a kind invitation is received for us to attend the 153 Squadron Reunion in Lincoln, in May 2019. Looking forward to it, but our story is just about to take another twist.
One day around April 2019, Jill’s on the phone and can hardly get her words out as she’s so excited. Via their web site they’ve had an enquiry from a guy whose uncle flew with 153 Squadron and lost his life when his Lancaster crashed. He’d like to join the association and learn more – possibly about his uncle. He’s called Wullie Simpson and turns out to be nephew of Walter Simpson – crew member PB872. His father, Adam Simpson, Walters youngest brother, is still alive. Our story has just struck gold. Two direct relatives – I can’t believe it.
In May, we join 153 Squadron for their annual reunion in Lincoln and in an extremely emotional evening we proudly present our findings and story. I recon 30 minutes should do it – but we’re still at it an hour later. There’s so much to say and so many questions ! 40 odd association members are present along with 18 Chapter members. Also included are several RAF Veterans including ‘’Harry Hambrook’’. The pine cones are placed as table decorations ( the guests don’t know until it’s mentioned..) as well as one particular Oak sapling. It’s quite ironic as the Oak travels to Lincoln not by Harley Davidson but by German Mercedes Car. Emotions are off the scale and peak when Wullie is introduced to the guests. There’s not a dry eye in the room. Alas his father, Adam Simpson is too unwell to travel but the pine cones are gifted to return back to Scotland with Willie as well as everyone’s best wishes for Dad.
With the help of Jill our story is relayed to the staff at the International Bomber Command Centre nearby and we receive permission to plant the surviving sapling at the memorial. With the help of Harley Davidson UK, a plaque is donated to commemorate the flight crew, the people of Hranice, our visit and of course, the Oak Sapling.
With cancellation of Ride to the Wall in October 2020 chapter members travel to the IBBC for the VE75 celebrations. Our Oak is looking well and we’re warmly received by the staff – some of which are HOG members ! On the way back we call into the National Memorial Arboretum – to pay our respects. Several members on the ride are ex Forces – another emotional moment. Some are Ex Falklands vets.
In the meantime, I have an E mail and photographs from a contact in Czechoslovakia. We believe we’ve found some wreckage of the Lancaster, PB 872.
Despite the COVID pandemic in February 2021 we travel to Yorkshire to attend the funeral of Harry Handbrook. Obviously, the circumstances are not favourable but it’s a pleasure to see our friends from 153 again and we give Harry a memorable send off. It’s a COVID 600-mile round trip for 8 Harley’s but worth every mile.
We’re back in Lincoln in September for the annual 153 reunion and it’s nice to see Harry’s family again. The weekend includes a trip to the Heritage Centre @ RAF Scampton and the dedication of a memorial seat and we’re treated to see the Red Arrows land in front of us. We’re also visiting RAF Waddington, and it turns out one of our tour guides will soon be the Flight engineer for the Battle Of Briton’s Memorial flight’s Lancaster. Hum. Me and him have a bit of a chat ! E mails and details of the potential Lancaster parts are forwarded.
2022 soon comes around and we’re back in Lincoln for the May reunion and our annual visit to the IBCC to see how our Oaks doing. She’s all but 6ft now and looking great and we think it’ll be good – once she starts producing acorns to distribute them to 153 sq members. Obviously, the initial ones will go up to Willie in Scotland – for his children. Willies been busy as well – he’s found Walters original personal diary – it’s a great find and it might be that he was a bit of a ‘’ladies man’’ There are many female names and addresses written – so what do we do with them ? But the limited notes of the night raids over Germany are sombre reading
Then on the anniversary of the Dambusters raid there’s a note on 153’s Facebook site – a fella in Czechoslovakia’ says he’s got parts and information of PB872 – our Lancaster. We check the source out and it all looks legit and quite promising. It’s work in progress.
Now from our initial investigations we know where and when our Lancaster was built ( date) so need to tie up identifying these parts – to prove without any doubt that these belong to PB872.
Thinking outside the box we’ve come up with an idea of making a time capsule and putting it beneath the roots of the Oak @ the IBCC – perhaps with some additional artifacts. With RAF Scampton now sold it seems the right place for some of it to go. We’ll also look to do a presentation section in the museum @ the IBCC.
I’d like to work with the tour guides at the IBCC to include a much-shortened version of or story when people visit the IBCC and see our Oak tree.
Sadly Adam Simpson passed away in September 2022. It was very upsetting as we never got to meet him but he often spoke of PB872 with such fondness and pride. He always laughed when Willie spoke of the 153 reunions and the new Welsh family friends.
We move on to recent times and our 2023 visit. Our story takes another turn as it’s the 80th Anniversary of the Dambusters Raid and there’s lots going on in the ‘’Bomber County’’. 13 bikes this time plus Wuille as he’s riding pillion with us. We visit the IBCC and lay a wreath @ the Oak tree. As well as our now normal celebrations with our friends @ 153 it’s the ‘’Inspire Ride In’’ to the IBCC – bit like a mini ‘’Ride To the Wall’’. We have a stroke of luck when visiting the Petwood Hotel ( Dambusters ) when we meet John Maltby – his father was David Maltby the Dambuster pilot. We’re in awe looking at the original flight book. Willie gifts us some of his father’s possessions - a cut out steel Lancaster model and a personal picture of Walter. He say’s it was his father’s wishes for us to have them, humbling is not the word. We put a spin on the gifts – and would like them to go to the IBCC for everyone to see. More work in progress.
But the big announcement this weekend is Wilies visit to Hranice in July. Again, a slight twist as he’s raising monies for his son’s Cancer Charity. We’ve been in touch with Hranice, and he’ll be met by the Mayor, historians and the local Headmistress. The school children have been looking at history of PB872 – Willies going to take some of Walters personal belongings with him and have a chat with them. Rather a special ‘’Show and Tell’’. We’ve been given some leads of some potential recovered parts in a tiny museum 80 miles away – so that’s on the list and more importantly how they got there. We all sign a RAF flag for Willie to take with him - a gift to the people of Hranice
We’ve been talking to the IBCC about the time capsule idea, and initial feedback is very promising.
But it all hinges on getting some wreckage.
Doug, another BMC member, who came with me to Hranice is looking into the story of his uncle who was killed in a Mosquito late WW2 in Belgium. There’s a bit on the RAF records but he’s found the actual field the airplane crashed. Talking to the locals via the internet they’ve confirmed this and some remember seeing it crash. They’re looking to put a memorial in the field in 2023. Sounds like another bike trip - perhaps we’ll take a shovel this time.
I’ve read that the Grammar School that PB872’s Pilot William Bailey attended has a memorial plaque in the schools Chapel. He’s remembered every year on Remembrance Sunday along with other ex-pupils. I might drop the headmaster a line and see if he’s fancying a pint in Lincoln with the us…
Alas the author of ‘’Not Heard Since Take Off’’ Ron Hayne has passed but I’m trying to locate family members. It would be nice to tell them our findings and bring Ron’s story up to date.
There was talk of the crash site in Hranice being ‘’relandscaped’’ and a more expansive visitors site made. COVID put a stop to it but I do check their web site every now and again for any news. If it happens and the diggers move in - we’ve got to be there.
Every year on Remembrance Sunday, BMC members ride to a village called Stanton Harcourt, just outside Oxford. It’s where I grew up – next to a WW2 site – ‘’RAF Stanton Harcourt’’. We’re joined by the villagers and members of Thames Valley HOG Chapter. It’s quite a day – and another chapter…
I get a bit upset when people imply ‘’It’s an interesting story, there we are’’ . This not the end of our story, for we open another chapter. There are many others doing the same thing, making discoveries and making new friends.
We would be very proud if others found inspiration from our story.
They, like us ‘’Will Remember Them’’
Footnote : Willie visited Hranice in early July this year and came back with a car boot full of wreckage. The RAF are currently helping us to identify some of the parts and we want to complete the link back to the factory where our Lancaster was built. Some are damaged behond reconition so we've decided to have this melted down ( about 2 bags of Sugar worth ) and have some custom poppy broaches made. The support for this project has been amazing and the IBCC have asked to have some back in Lincoln. The first batch will go back to the people of Hranice.