WORLD WAR 11
During the 1939-45 war, Merton a small village was doing its part in the war effort with many of its men joining up to one of the services being  it RAF, Navy or Army.
Most of the men returned, with the exception of one
, Leo Crane
Some such as Richard Degrey brother to George Degrey 8th Baron, and Frank Hunt a poultry dealer for many years, both of which suffered terribly at the hands of the Japanese in  POW camps. Frank Hunt served 1940-46, a Private in 5 Royal Norfolk, when a Japanese ship taking him to Japan was sunk, he was rescued and later taken to the Philippines.
During this time around the village there were a heavy present of service men both British and American, They camped in woods and fields in the Merton park and Broadflash areas, Later in June 1942  when the near by people of the villages of Tottington, Sturston, Langford, Stanford and Buckenham Tofts were forced from there homes , and the area was used for a practise battle ground and still used today.

With airfields at near by Watton and Bodney, the area had its share of incidents of aircraft crashes,  some of the listings at Merton below.
I have made my own investigations around our local area with the help of crash reports from the RAF museum and from sources in America.  Equipped with original details / reports, photos etc I have managed to match these to the present day. I have also managed to record various places in the area which include Merton, Thompson, Stow Bedon, Scoulton,  Saham Toney and Watton.


6th April 1940 21 Sqn Blenhiem IV L8740 YH-
T
ake Off 0400 from Watton, while setting out on an anti submarine patrol. The aircraft crashed into trees at 0405 Close to Merton Hall.
Leading Aircraftsman 524840 John Brayfield Ball, . Watton St Marys Churchyard
Pilot Officer 40438 Ian Stapledon, age 20, Watton St Marys Churchyard
Sgt 580533 Walter Jonathan Wetton, age 20, Heckington Cemetery Lincolnshire.. PICTURE
22-23 January 1941 82 Sqn Blenheim IV N3553 UX-
Take off 1939 Bodney ,crashed almost immediately in Merton Park, This aircraft came down amongst trees and then hit a brick wall.
Pilot Officer 84396 Peter Harry Moller, age 24, Brookwood Military Cemetery Surrey.
Sgt 756330 Fredrick Herbert Harry Taylor, Watton St Marys Churchyard.
Sgt 904424 Arthur John Norman, who was thrown clear but later died from his injuries. Watton St Marys Churchyard.

22 November 1944 653rd Sqn Mosquito NS630 25th B/Group USAAF.
This aircraft was returning to base from a night mission (Blue Stocking) started the approach at Watton airfield, but was ordered to another airdrome because of bad weather conditions, the Pilot informed the control he could see the runway,after making one pass, the aircraft was going to make a second attempt, flying out and over Merton, radio contact was lost, The aircraft had flew low and crashed hitting tree tops and ended on a field on the border between Thompson & Merton.
Pilot 1st Lt 0-886135 Malcolm J.Macleod, Cambridge American Cemetery.
Navigator 1st Lt 0-865945, Edward Fiztgerald, (below) Cambridge American Cemetery.



  • OLD COMRADES. If you are in search of old comrades from the RAF, then this is worth a visit.      
  • You may be viewing this page with no menu, If this page does not show a menu,
    click on View Menu below.

    All these pages and pictures are copyright © www.merton.ukgo.com