Pilot remembered in Belgium air crash book

Kyt · Aug 29, 2008

War pilot remembered in Belgium air crash book - Local News - News - General - Narromine News

On July 25 the Narromine Shire Council received a letter from a Belgium researcher, Win Govaerts, seeking information on the late Flight Sergeant John Maxwell Robertson (better known as Max).

Win Govaerts is writing a book on air crashes over Belgium during the Second World War.

On April 25 1944, a Lancaster bomber of 100 squadron crashed at Sint Maartens-Voeren, Belgium. Seven crew members were killed, including Flight Sergeant John Maxwell Robertson, aged 21 years. They are all buried at Heverlee War Cemetery. This was to be their last raid.

Born in Dubbo on July 31 1922, Max was the eldest son of the late Ewen Charles and Irene Margaret Robertson of Narromine.

Max is a brother to Joyce Jarnecic, Peg Spackman, Jim Robertson (deceased 1995) and Unc Robertson.

Max is remembered fondly with an inscription on the headstone of his grandfather James Robertson, at the Narromine Cemetery.

Max enlisted in the RAAF on October 9 1942, training at Parkes and Port Pirie in South Australia, before being posted overseas to England.

Max turned 21 on the day he arrived in London.

During Max’s time in London he met up with two Narromine-trained pilots Ewen Jones (Max’s second cousin) and John Bourchier, now of Fingal Bay.

Max was a very regular letter writer to his parents and older siblings, writing over 70 letters during his nine months away from home.

Relationships within this crew were strong as Max was the best man for pilot Arthur Armon six months before the crash. One letter mentions that Max was getting in practice for his brother Jim’s wedding. Sadly this was not to be.

Max also mentioned in one of his last letters to his little brother Unc, that when he came home from the war they would catch every rabbit to Bourke and back. Shooting, hunting and fishing were some of Max’s favourite pastimes before he enlisted.

Max’s grave at Heverlee War Cemetery was visited by his nephew Andrew Spackman, his wife Belinda and daughters Lucy and Edwina in October 2007. What a privilege this would have been for this family.

The letter from Belgium comes with respect and some emotion as this young airman will be remembered further than his family and friends, in the book currently being written.

Naturally this research being sought stems from admiration that is held for these young men who last their lives so tragically.

On behalf of Max’s family I am very proud to be able to share this information with the Narromine community.

Flight Sergeant John Maxwell Robertson, remembered.
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Lancaster ND328

Took off 2216 from Grimsby. Reported to have crashed near St.Martens-Voeren (Liege), 21 km NE of Liege. all were buried 27 April by the Luftwaffe at St.Truiden. They have been subsequently re-interred at Heverlee War cemetery.

P/O A J T Armon
Sgt D B Cox
F/O R F Weedon
Sgt G R Boxall RCAF
Sgt D Jones
Sgt L D Bowden RCAF
F/Sgt J M Robertson

photo:
Back row Sgt John Maxwell Robertson, rear gunner aged 21, Sgt George Boxall, bomb aimer, aged 26, Sgt Dennis Cox, engineer, aged 19 and Dave Jones, wireless operator, aged 26. Front row: F/D Reg Weedon, navigator aged 23, Sgt Arthur Armon, pilot aged 22, and Sgt Len Bowden, mid upper, aged 21.

spidge · Aug 30, 2008

Robertsons Headstone at Heverlee!

View attachment 1997

Kyt · Oct 23, 2008

Govaerts is researching another crash

Belgian historian's plea for Solihull airman - Solihull News

A BELGIAN researcher is appealing to the relatives and friends of a Shirley airman killed during the Second World War to come forward with information for a book he is writing.

Wim Govaerts from Lier in Antwerp is undertaking research into Lancaster bomber 100 Squadron, a plane from which crashed in Belgium on April 23 1944 killing three crew members.

One of the crew was 19-year-old Flying Officer Gordon Howard Williams from Solihull and Mr Govaerts is keen to hear from anyone who knew him.

Gordon was the son of Howard Ernest and Lilian Constance Williams from Shirley and is now buried at Schoonselhof Cemetery in Antwerp.

Mr Govaerts wants to uncover details about Gordon's military career, his hobbies and peacetime occupation along with any photographs.

His book, based around Manchester and Lancaster crashes in Belgium is due to be completed at the end of next year next year and will be published in English.

Mr Govaerts said: " This research stems from the respect and admiration I hold for this young man who lost his life so tragically in an effort to liberate our country."

Anyone with information about or photos of Gordon Williams can contact Wim Govaerts via e-mail at wim.govaertsATskynet.be.

Alternatively people can write to him at the following address: St Bernardusstraat 8, 2500 Lier/Belgium or telephone 0032 3488 0209.

You can also contact the Solihull Times at solihull_news@mrn.co.uk
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Lancaster LL887 Mission to Dusseldorf

Took off 22.46 from Grimsby. Cause of loss not established. Crashed close to the Belgian-Dutch frontier. Those killed were buried at Antwerpen-Deurne. They have been subsequently re- interred in the Schoonselhof Cemetery. Sgt Lynch was arrested whilst being hidden at Antwerp.

P/O W J Shaw
Sgt W H Lynch PoW
F/Sgt K Morgan RAAF PoW
F/Sgt R Brookes Evd
Sgt J.Ensor +
P/O G H Williams +
Sgt R A Bacon POW

Sgt Lynch was sheltered until captured 6Jun44 with the Cannaerts family in Heultje, (Brussels or Antwerp?). Interned in Camp L7. PoW No.122. The two ladies of the Cannaerts family still have his uniform and have made a request for his whereabouts Apr98.

Antipodean Andy · Oct 23, 2008

I was going to say Robertson would most likely be a gunner as he trained at Port Pirie - possibly on Battles. Not many nice things said about training there - hot, dusty, remote.

I can't remember who told me, might have been David Bennett the Lanc MU gunner I interviewed for a while (but I doubt it somehow), but one trainee gunner, on completion of the exercise was being flown back to base when his Polish pilot asked if he was strapped in. He was and the Battle subsequently went into a screaming dive, pulled up and looped. Apparently, the pilot wanted to see if it was aerobatic!

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Pilot remembered in Belgium air crash book

Kyt Άρης

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Pilot remembered in Belgium air crash book

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Kyt Άρης

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