An Emotive 106 Sqd (Manchester’s) RAF Bomber Command,
Aircrew Europe, WOP/AG Casualty Trio
with Badges & Photographs.
Lost while Minelaying off the French Coast on the night of 16/17 April 1942.
To:
982542. Sgt DOUGLAS WIGHTMAN, RAF (VR)
KILLED IN ACTION, 16th April 1942.
[BIOGRAPHY] 1920-1942 (22)
Douglas Wightman was born in 1920 the son of John & Caroline Wightman of Newcastle on Tyne.
His address & that of his mother was 8 Paignton Avenue.
Probate of Douglas’ estate of £104.13s.8d was granted to his mother Caroline on 24th May 1943 at Newcastle on Tyne.
[THE FINAL SORTIE]
Minelaying-off Batz-sur-Mere, France 16/17th April 1942.
The final sortie of Avro Manchester MkI (L.7585) left RAF Coningsby at 20:50hrs on 16th April.
Night time estuary minelaying sorties were by their sheer nature a highly dangerous undertaking in that some very accurate and low night flying was required with the constant risk of attack at low level from enemy fighters or coastal flak. With the low altitude also came the certainty that in the event of an emergency bail out there would probably not be enough height or time for parachutes to open or a risk of loss at sea if they did.
This crew were very unlucky as the met conditions on that fateful night were very clear with no cloud. Another aircraft from the squadron reported that they had encountered searchlights and some inaccurate flak when crossing the French coast but had successfully completed their mission. Sadly, Doug’ Wightman’s Manchester encountered an 
armed German patrol launch who’s gunners engaged the aircraft and shot it down. The aircraft crashed at sea with the loss of all seven crew members, two of whom were lost without trace.
Douglas Wightman is remembered with eternal honour at ESCOUBLAC-LA-BAULE-WAR CEMETERY, FRANCE. His gravestone dedication reads: “IN LOVING REMEMBRANCE”
“Throughout the German occupation, Madame Louise Jaouen, a resident of La Baule, dedicated all her time and energy to maintaining the graves. With money collected secretly from the generous local people she provided a cross for every grave and a small monument, had hedges planted, and employed a permanent gardener to tend the cemetery. Her devotion to this work was later honoured by the award of the King's Medal for Service in the Cause of Freedom.”
[THE LOST CREW]
Pilot. P/O C. SCATCHARD. (25) From Alverstoke, Hampshire.
(Body recovered from the channel & buried in Scarborough.
2nd Pilot. Sgt T.H. POWER, From Kumalo, Bulawayo, S.Rhodesia.
(Lost without trace)
Wop/Ag. Sgt D.N. STORER, (20) From Watford, Hertfordshire.
(Lost without trace)
Nav/Obs. Sgt R. ROBERTSON,(21) From Dunfermline, Fife.
Wop/Ag. Sgt D. WIGHTMAN, (22) From Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Mid/Up. Sgt W.V. ROGERSON. (27) From Shepperton, Middlesex.
(Body found at Kerdouis, Locmaria, Belle-Isle, on 28th April 1942.
Rear/Gnr F/O G.W. WARD (30) Highgate, Middlesex.
* A Rolls Royce Vulture engine from Manchester L.7485 was caught in the trawl net of a French fishing boat off Batz-sur-Mer in 1990-92.
[THE PHOTOS & BADGES]
The group comes with several photographs which include one of Sgt Wightman with two young children, thought to be his niece & nephew. Another photo is of him standing in RAF No.2 Battle dress uniform in a back garden thought to be in Newcastle. Also a head & shoulders uniformed photo, and two shots of his two different temporary grave markers in France. Also includes are a set of Sgt Wightman’s sergeants sleeve stripes and his spare Air Gunners (AG) brevet wing.
Also included are the officially named AIR MINISTRY condolence slip & the officially named & numbered “bus ticket” medal confirmation issue slips.
All three medal are Mint and come with their original RAF variety silk & cotton ribbons.
SOLD
To:
982542. Sgt DOUGLAS WIGHTMAN, RAF (VR)
KILLED IN ACTION, 16th April 1942.
[BIOGRAPHY] 1920-1942 (22)
Douglas Wightman was born in 1920 the son of John & Caroline Wightman of Newcastle on Tyne.
His address & that of his mother was 8 Paignton Avenue.
Probate of Douglas’ estate of £104.13s.8d was granted to his mother Caroline on 24th May 1943 at Newcastle on Tyne.
[THE FINAL SORTIE]
Minelaying-off Batz-sur-Mere, France 16/17th April 1942.
The final sortie of Avro Manchester MkI (L.7585) left RAF Coningsby at 20:50hrs on 16th April.
Night time estuary minelaying sorties were by their sheer nature a highly dangerous undertaking in that some very accurate and low night flying was required with the constant risk of attack at low level from enemy fighters or coastal flak. With the low altitude also came the certainty that in the event of an emergency bail out there would probably not be enough height or time for parachutes to open or a risk of loss at sea if they did.
This crew were very unlucky as the met conditions on that fateful night were very clear with no cloud. Another aircraft from the squadron reported that they had encountered searchlights and some inaccurate flak when crossing the French coast but had successfully completed their mission. Sadly, Doug’ Wightman’s Manchester encountered an 
armed German patrol launch who’s gunners engaged the aircraft and shot it down. The aircraft crashed at sea with the loss of all seven crew members, two of whom were lost without trace.
Douglas Wightman is remembered with eternal honour at ESCOUBLAC-LA-BAULE-WAR CEMETERY, FRANCE. His gravestone dedication reads: “IN LOVING REMEMBRANCE”
“Throughout the German occupation, Madame Louise Jaouen, a resident of La Baule, dedicated all her time and energy to maintaining the graves. With money collected secretly from the generous local people she provided a cross for every grave and a small monument, had hedges planted, and employed a permanent gardener to tend the cemetery. Her devotion to this work was later honoured by the award of the King's Medal for Service in the Cause of Freedom.”
[THE LOST CREW]
Pilot. P/O C. SCATCHARD. (25) From Alverstoke, Hampshire.
(Body recovered from the channel & buried in Scarborough.
2nd Pilot. Sgt T.H. POWER, From Kumalo, Bulawayo, S.Rhodesia.
(Lost without trace)
Wop/Ag. Sgt D.N. STORER, (20) From Watford, Hertfordshire.
(Lost without trace)
Nav/Obs. Sgt R. ROBERTSON,(21) From Dunfermline, Fife.
Wop/Ag. Sgt D. WIGHTMAN, (22) From Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Mid/Up. Sgt W.V. ROGERSON. (27) From Shepperton, Middlesex.
(Body found at Kerdouis, Locmaria, Belle-Isle, on 28th April 1942.
Rear/Gnr F/O G.W. WARD (30) Highgate, Middlesex.
* A Rolls Royce Vulture engine from Manchester L.7485 was caught in the trawl net of a French fishing boat off Batz-sur-Mer in 1990-92.
[THE PHOTOS & BADGES]
The group comes with several photographs which include one of Sgt Wightman with two young children, thought to be his niece & nephew. Another photo is of him standing in RAF No.2 Battle dress uniform in a back garden thought to be in Newcastle. Also a head & shoulders uniformed photo, and two shots of his two different temporary grave markers in France. Also includes are a set of Sgt Wightman’s sergeants sleeve stripes and his spare Air Gunners (AG) brevet wing.
Also included are the officially named AIR MINISTRY condolence slip & the officially named & numbered “bus ticket” medal confirmation issue slips.
All three medal are Mint and come with their original RAF variety silk & cotton ribbons.
SOLD