Alfred William Henry Hart
Aircraftman Alfred William Henry Hart – Royal Air Force, 102 Squadron
Early Life
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| Alfred George Hart and Elsie Lillian Milling marriage certificate St. Thomas parish church |
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| Alfred William Henry Hart |
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| 1921 Census |
At the time of the 1921 Census, the Hart family lived at 23 Gell Street, Port Tennant. Alfred George, aged 22, was employed as a General Labourer by Topham, Hones & Roilton Contractors at Crymlyn Burrows, Swansea. Elsie Lillian, also 22, was recorded as carrying out home duties, and their son, Alfred William Henry, was one year old.
Military Service
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| Armstrong Whitworth Whitley V |
On the night of 1st May 1940, aircraft
from 102 Squadron, including Whitley V N1500, took part in
a bombing raid on Fornebu Aerodrome, near Oslo, which had been
captured by German forces during the invasion of Norway. The airfield served as
a key Luftwaffe base, supporting air operations and supply routes across
southern Norway. The objective of the raid was to disrupt German air
operations by destroying aircraft and damaging facilities. Reports indicate
that several German transport aircraft (Ju 52s) and a reconnaissance
plane (Hs 126) were destroyed or badly damaged during the attack. The
mission formed part of the wider Allied effort to weaken the German foothold in
Norway and to hinder the Luftwaffe’s growing control of the region.
Death
On 1st May 1940, following the raid, the
crew of Whitley V N1500, along with three passengers, took off
from RAF Kinloss on a positioning flight to RAF Driffield.
While flying approximately six miles southeast of Huntly, the aircraft
struck the Hill of Foudland in Aberdeenshire. Three members of the crew
were killed instantly, while the remaining five were injured. Two of the
survivors later died from their injuries—one on 6th May, and
another on 25th May 1940.
Aircraftman Alfred William Henry Hart was among those
who lost their lives in the crash.
Roll of Honour – Crew of Whitley V N1500, 102 Squadron
- Flying
Officer Kenneth Neil Gray DFC – Pilot – Killed – Buried at:
Kinloss Abbey Burial Ground, Moray, Scotland
- Sergeant
John Hamilton Hopper – Second Pilot – Killed – Buried at:
Kinloss Abbey Burial Ground, Moray, Scotland
- Sergeant
Frederick John Bass – Observer – Killed – Buried at: Kinloss
Abbey Burial Ground, Moray, Scotland
- Aircraftman
1st Class Alfred William Henry Hart – Wireless Operator/Air Gunner – Killed
– Buried at: St. Peter’s Churchyard, Swansea, Glamorgan, Wales
- Aircraftman
2nd Class George Main – Wireless Operator/Air Gunner – Died of
injuries 25 May 1940 – Buried at: Blyth Cemetery, Northumberland,
England
- Aircraftman
1st Class Harold Buttery – Passenger – Killed – Buried at:
Kinloss Abbey Burial Ground, Moray, Scotland
- Aircraftman
1st Class J. A. Hewitt – Passenger – Injured; survived
- Aircraftman
1st Class Fred Wallwork (RAFVR) – Passenger – Died of injuries 6
May 1940 – Buried at: Oldham (Greenacres) Cemetery, Lancashire,
England
Burial
Alfred’s body was brought home to Swansea,
where he was laid to rest at St. Peter’s Church in May 1940. His
burial was the first Royal Air Force interment at St. Peter’s during the
Second World War.Alfred William Henry Hart
St. Peters church
credit - findagrave
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| South Wales Daily Post |
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| Herald of Wales |
Legacy
Aircraftman Alfred William Henry Hart was just 21
years old at the time of his death. His service and sacrifice are
remembered as part of Swansea’s contribution to the Royal Air Force during the
Second World War. His grave at St. Peter’s stands as a lasting reminder
of the dangers faced by those who served with Bomber Command in the
early months of the war.
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