550 Squadron
P/O G W Hinde and Crew
The P/O G W Hinde crew were posted to 550 Sqdn from from 1662 Conversion Unit w.e.f 4/2/44:
- P/O G W Hinde (P)
- Sgt T L J Whittick F/Eng)
- Sgt D Hughes (Nav)
- F/Sgt C C Sharland (B/A)
- Sgt D R M Davies (W/Op)
- Sgt E C Beacham (MU/AG)
- Sgt W A J Young (R/AG)
The photos below are of all of the crew. Photos for six members of the crew have been available from the time the memorial in Westerlo was unveiled (see below), whereas the photo of Sgt W A J Young only became available in February 2022 (many thanks to Diane Fenn a relative of Sgt Young).
F/Sgt G W Hinde |
Sgt T L J Whittick |
Sgt D Hughes |
Sgt C C Sharland |
Sgt R M Davies |
Sgt E C Beacham |
Sgt W A J Young |
The Hinde crew were all killed whenDV309 was shot down on the outskirts of Westerlo, Belguim, one of three 550 Sqdn Lancasters lost on the Duisburg operation on 21/22 May 1944.
The entry on the 550 Squadron Roll of Honour is available here.
Other information about the flight and the target from the squadron record available here.
See also DV309.
550 Squadron Commemorations in Westerlo, Belgium
Over the years there have been many visits by the Association to Westerlo following the unveiling of the Memorial Stone in 1998. See the Westerlo Commemorations web-page.