St. Hillay’s church - mystery
Everyone likes a good mystery! Hopefully, this will get solved!
 |
| St. Hillary's church, Killay |
St. Hillary’s church, KIllay, one of the airmen to be buried
there is Sergeant J. G. Crummey, of Newfoundland served as a Pilot, with the Royal
Air Force.
He was killed on the 11th January 1943, aged 29.
The family inscription reads “Never Will His Memory Fade.
Loved By All”
What happened on that fateful day, 11th January 1943?
RAF Fairwood, Swansea.
During the Second World War, the local defence of the Swansea area
required and aerodrome that could have been used as and R.A.F. station. The construction of a basic runaway which
took over year to complete. The land
that was used, required to levelled off and the filling of the boggy ground. Lost
in the construction, was two Bronze Age barrows, although, a cinerary urn was
retrieved.
June 1941, the aerodrome was opened, by the October, it was
made into Sector Station. 125 (Newfoundland) squadron, during April 1942, they fought during
the night against the German ‘Baedeker’, who were attacking Bath. Then during June, shot down a Junkers Ju 88,
off the Pembrokeshire coast.
 |
| Bristol Beaufighter |
11th January 1943, Sergeant James Gladstone Crummey,
who came from Bay-de-Verde, Newfoundland, served with the 125 (Newfoundland) squadron, was
piloting the Bristol Beaufighter VI X8258, along with his observer Sergeant Norman Hurst. They took off during the daylight to carry
out tests for forthcoming night’s operations.
The aircraft stalled, and crashed into the Clyne Valley, the impact of
the crash, the aircraft burst into flames.
Both crew members were killed. From
information obtained from Crummey’s death certificate. His body was located at Ysyuboruchaf Farm, Sketty
James Gladstone Crummey was buried at St. Hillary’s church
and Norman Hurst buried at St. Paul churchyard, Lancashire.
That would be end of the sad tale.
2010 a mysterious
note along with accompanying photo of James appeared at his grave. To this date, this remains a mystery.
 |
| James Gladstone Crummey's grave on the right by the fence showing the mysterious note |
Comments
Post a Comment