Goronwy Amman Bassett – Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

 Flight Sergeant Goronwy Amman Bassett – Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Birth and Family Background

Goronwy Amman Bassett

Goronwy Amman Bassett was born in 1911 at Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, the son of Evan Bassett and Mary Price.

1911 Census

At the time of the 1911 Census, the Bassett family were living at Ddolyffin, Ammanford, Carmarthenshire. Evan Bassett (29) was employed as a repairer coal miner, while his wife Mary H. (25) managed the household. Their only child, Goronwy A., was under one month old. Also present in the household was Margaret E. Jenkins (18), Evan’s sister-in-law, who was employed as a dressmaker.

1921 Census

The 1921 Census records the family residing at 15 Hall Street, Ammanford. Evan Bassett (40) was employed as a Colliery Examiner (Below Ground) with Phillips New Wernddu Colliery, Bryacock, Neath, though he was recorded as out of work at the time. His wife Mary Hannah (36) carried out household duties, and their son Goronwy Amos (10) attended school.

Marriage

By the time of his enlistment, Goronwy Amman Bassett was married to Georgia Mary Chapman, and the couple were residing at West Cross.

Military Service

RAF Tarrant Rushton, Dorset

Goronwy Amman Bassett served with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, attached to No. 644 Squadron, a unit assigned to Special Duties. The squadron was based at RAF Tarrant Rushton, Dorset, and was heavily involved in clandestine operations in support of resistance movements in occupied Europe.

In April 1945, during the final weeks of the Second World War in Europe, Operation “CROP 17” was carried out as a Special Operations Executive (SOE) air mission to occupied Norway. Such missions were flown in support of the Norwegian resistance movement (Milorg) and were intended to maintain pressure on German forces, secure key areas, and prepare for the imminent liberation of Norway.

Halifax A.VII bombers

The operation was conducted by aircraft of Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve squadrons assigned to Special Duties, including No. 644 Squadron, operating from RAF Tarrant Rushton. Aircraft used were typically Halifax A.VII bombers, specially modified for clandestine work, including long-range flying, night navigation, and low-level operations.

The primary purpose of Operation CROP 17 was to deliver supplies, equipment, and possibly personnel by parachute drop to resistance groups in Norway. These supplies included weapons, radios, explosives, and other material essential for sabotage, intelligence gathering, and coordination with advancing Allied forces. Missions were flown at night, often at low altitude, over long distances across the North Sea, making them exceptionally hazardous.

Despite Germany’s deteriorating military position by April 1945, anti-aircraft defences remained active, particularly around key inland routes and lakes used as navigation reference points. Aircraft returning from such missions were vulnerable to flak fire, crew exhaustion, and mechanical failure after prolonged sorties.

Death and Commemoration

Lake Mjøsa, Norway

During the return flight from Operation CROP 17 on 24^th April 1945, the Halifax A.VII aircraft carrying Goronwy Amman Bassett was hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed into Lake Mjøsa, Norway. Of the entire crew, only one man survived, underlining the extreme dangers faced by aircrews engaged in SOE operations even at the very end of the war.

Goronwy Amman Bassett
Runneymede Memorial, Surrey
credit - findagrave

Flight Sergeant Goronwy Amman Bassett has no known grave, and his name is commemorated on the Runneymede Memorial, Surrey, which honours airmen of the Commonwealth who died during the Second World War and have no known place of burial.