Richard Edward Bennett
Sergeant Richard Edward Bennett - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 51 Squadron
Richard Edward Bennett was born in 1920, the son of Joseph Bennett and Ellen M. A. Bennett (née Griffiths), who were married in 1918.
Early Life and Family
1921 Census
At the time of the 1921 Census, the Bennett family were living at 67 Rodney Street, Swansea. Richard’s father, Joseph, aged 30 and born in Pembrokeshire, was employed as an Electrical Fitter by the Engineering Equipment Company, while his mother, Ellen, aged 32 and born in Worcestershire, managed the household. Their infant son, Richard, was six months old. Also present in the home was Esther Ann Bennett, a 66-year-old widow recorded as a visitor.
Service with No. 51 Squadron
During the Second World War, Richard joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and attained the rank of Sergeant. He served with No. 51 Squadron, a unit of Bomber Command operating from RAF Dishforth, Yorkshire.RAF Dishforth, Yorkshire
In 1941, No. 51 Squadron flew Armstrong Whitworth Whitley V bombers and took part in Bomber Command's night offensive over Germany and occupied Europe. The squadron also temporarily supported anti-shipping and anti-submarine patrols before returning to strategic bombing duties. These long operations demanded endurance, skill, and courage from the crews, who faced enemy defences, mechanical hazards, and difficult flying conditions.
The Armstrong Whitworth Whitley V
The Armstrong Whitworth Whitley V was a twin-engined medium bomber forming a crucial part of the RAF’s early wartime force. Introduced in 1939 with upgraded Rolls-Royce Merlin X engines and improved armament, the Whitley was known for its rugged reliability despite being slower and heavier than later four-engined bombers. It flew some of the RAF’s first wartime missions, including leaflet-drops, night bombing raids, and anti-shipping patrols. By 1941, the Whitley was beginning to show its age, but it remained a vital aircraft, trusted by crews who understood its strengths and limitations. It was in this type of aircraft that Sergeant Richard Edward Bennett undertook his final mission.Armstrong Whitworth Whitley V
Final Operation
On the night of 18th August 1941, Richard’s squadron took part in a major raid on Cologne, with 62 aircraft departing RAF Dishforth at 9.29 p.m. The operation was largely unsuccessful due to enemy decoy fires that misled many of the bombers away from their intended targets.
In the early hours of 19th August 1941, Sergeant Bennett’s Whitley V was observed approaching the English coast from the south-east at about 2,000 feet, already on fire. No radio messages or distress signals were received. At approximately 3.15 a.m., the aircraft crashed at Lime Tree Farm, north-west of Laxfield, Suffolk, killing all onboard. A later investigation revealed that the port engine had detached in flight and was found around 70 yards from the wreckage, leaving the crew with no chance to escape.
The Crew of Whitley V and Their Burial Places
All those aboard were killed in the crash. Their names and burial locations are:
- Sergeant Richard Edward Bennett, RAFVR – Oystermouth Cemetery, Swansea
- Sergeant William Birdsall James, RAFVR – Lawnswood Crematorium & Memorial Gardens, Leeds
- Pilot Officer H. B. Robertshaw, RAF – Kinloss Abbey Burial Ground, Morayshire, Scotland
- Sergeant John Alexander Barrie Jamieson, RAFVR – Uden War Cemetery, Netherlands
- Pilot Officer Wellington James Loney, RAF – All Saints Churchyard, Honington, Suffolk
- Sergeant John Leonard Gilman, RAFVR – Birkdale Cemetery, Southport
- Sergeant John Tylor, RAFVR – Widnes Cemetery, Cheshire
- Sergeant Ernest John Lowater, RAFVR – All Saints Churchyard, Honington, Suffolk
These men served together on a demanding and hazardous mission, and their loss was felt deeply by their squadron, their families, and their communities. Their names form a lasting testament to the bravery of Bomber Command aircrews.
Death Report and Funeral
Western Mail Herald of Wales
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| Richard Edward Bennett Oystermouth Cemetery credit - findagrave |
The Western Mail reported Richard’s death in August 1941, noting his home address at St. Helen’s Road, Swansea, and that he had flown nineteen operational missions over enemy territory. A further article in the Herald of Wales described his funeral at Oystermouth Cemetery, where he was laid to rest with full military honours.
Commemoration
Sergeant Richard Edward Bennett is commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and remembered with pride among the men of No. 51 Squadron, whose courage and dedication contributed greatly to the Royal Air Force’s wartime effort.
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