Andrew Frederick Sims

 8^th May 2025 will mark the 80^th anniversary of VE Day.

1945, 4^th May, Andrew Frederick Sims, lost his life.

Flight Sergeant Andrew Frederick Sims, who served with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

Andrew who was on board flight HR160, a de Havilland Mosquito FB Mk VI, took off from RAF Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire on a training flight.

de Havilland Mosquito FB Mk VI

The aircraft flew between 5,000 and 6,000 feet, before it rolled and spiralled down and crashed and burned near Whitland, Carmarthen.

Andrew Frederick Sims
Oystermouth Cemetery
credit - findagrave

Andrew was buried at Oystermouth Cemetery.

Born, 1924, Andrew was the son of Edward Frederick Stanley Sims and Martha Y. Bairdow.

At the time of the 1911 Census, Edward, was living at 49 Mount Pleasant, Swansea.  He was the youngest son of Edward Sussex and Ann Sims.

1911 Census

Swansea born Edward Sussex, 54, was an Assayer.  Ann, 60 was born in Norwich.

Their children were all Swansea born, Maud Louisa, 33, a Telegraphist; Lucy Ophilla Gill, 31, a Postal Clerk.  She was widowed following the death of her husband Henry Gill during 1907.  Chaman, 25, was an Assistant.

Twin sons, Edward Frederick and Stanley were 23 and they were Laboratory Assistants.

Also present at the property was 16-year-old Evan Hugh Trevor Rice, also a Lab Assistant.

Meanwhile, Martha Y Bairdow at the time of the 1911 Census, was living at 23 Elgin Street, Manselton.

1911 Census

Martha was the eldest daughter. 

The whole family were Scottish born, Eliza, was 54.  Missing was Thomas, Martha’s father.

Martha, 26; Martha May, 23, was a Milliner. Eliza, 22; Thomas, 17, was a Apprentice Fitter, and Margaret, 15 attended school.

The following year, Edward and Martha were married.

By the time of the 1921 census the couple were living with Martha’s parents at 23 Elgin Street.

1921 Census

Thomas, 59, is a Chief Engineer (Street Tinplate Works).  Eliza is 68.

Edward is 35, is an Assistant Chemist Copper Works, Martha is 36 years old.

Also present are three visitors, H. Gordon Harris, 31, who is a Chief Engineer Flax Works; his wife, Eliza C. H., 32 and their 1-year-old daughter, Eliza.

Employed is a servant, 28-year-old Edith Annie Roberts.

Andrew Frederick Sims was born during 1924.

South Wales Daily Post

Early 1939, Edward and Martha and their son Andrew were living at 17 Myrtle Grove.  Edward was a Freemason, when returning home, from the Lodge, he died.  Edward was buried at Oystermouth. His funeral was reported in the South Wales Daily Post

At the time of Andrew’s death, May 1945, both he and his mother were living at Casita, Caswell.