Andrew Edward Sims – Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Flight Sergeant Andrew Edward Sims – Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Birth and Family Background

Andrew Edward Sims was born in 1924 at Swansea. He was the son of Edward F. S. Sims and Martha Y. Bairdow, who were married in 1912 at Swansea.

No surviving civilian or detailed service records for Andrew have been identified, and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission remains the principal official source for information relating to his service and death.

Royal Air Force Service

Andrew served with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, attaining the rank of Flight Sergeant. He was trained as a Navigator and was posted to 8 Operational Training Unit, based at RAF Haverfordwest.

Operational Training Units were responsible for preparing aircrew for active service, providing advanced instruction under conditions designed to replicate operational flying as closely as possible.

The Crash of 4^th May 1945

de Havilland Mosquito

On 4^th May 1945, just four days before Victory in Europe Day, the Royal Air Force was still conducting full-scale flying training operations. Although the war in Europe was clearly nearing its end, Operational Training Units (OTUs) remained fully active, as trained aircrew were still required for ongoing operations and for potential redeployment to the Far East.

8 Operational Training Unit, based at RAF Haverfordwest, specialised in training crews for twin-engine aircraft, including the de Havilland Mosquito. Training sorties typically involved navigation exercises, low-level flying, instrument training, and simulated operational conditions. These flights were frequently conducted over rural areas of Wales, chosen for their varied terrain and relatively low population density, but they nonetheless carried significant risk.

Death

On 4^th May 1945, Andrew was serving as Navigator aboard a Mosquito FB VI aircraft on a training flight when control of the aircraft was lost. The aircraft crashed near Whitland, approximately 14 miles east of Haverfordwest, resulting in his death. Such accidents, even at this late stage of the war, were an acknowledged hazard of intensive wartime flying training.

Burial and Commemoration

Andrew Edward Sims 
Oystermouth Cemetery
credit - findagrave

Flight Sergeant Andrew Edward Sims is buried at Oystermouth Cemetery, where he is commemorated among other servicemen who lost their lives while on active service during the Second World War