Bourthes Churchyard
Historical Information (Source: CWGC)
Bourthes Churchyard contains one Commonwealth burial of the First World War and the graves of five airmen of the Second World War. The plane crashed in Bourthes and a small memorial is at the crash location.
Whitley V T4260
Took off 2135 15 April 1941 from RAF Topcliffe. Target were installations at Boulogne. Shot down by Flack and crashed at Bourthes (Pas-de-Calais) 27 km SE of Boulogne. All of the crew were killed.
The Crew
PILOT OFFICER BRIAN AUSTIN CHILDS - Service Number: 60069
102 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Died 15 April 1941 Age 26
Inscription: "HE DIED IN BEAUTY LIKE A ROSE PLUCKED FROM THE PARENT STEM"
FLIGHT SERGEANT ALFRED PEARSALL CLIFFORD-READE - Service Number: 701654
102 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Died 15 April 1941 Age 21
Inscription: TREASURED MEMORIES OF A BELOVED SON NOW IN GOD'S SAFE KEEPING
SERGEANT JAMES ARTHUR NORRIS - Service Number: 741381
102 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Died 15 April 1941
Inscription: IN LOVING MEMORY OF A DEAR BROTHER MAY HE REST IN PEACE
SERGEANT ROBERT THOMAS SELLEY - Service Number: 755097
102 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Died 15 April 1941 Age 29
Inscription: DEAREST HUSBAND OF VIOLET AND LOVING DAD OF GAY. GOD GRANT HIM ETERNAL REST
PILOT OFFICER ROBERT JOHN WYNDHAM WILLIAMS - Service Number: 87359
102 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Died 15 April 1941 Age 23
Inscription: IN UNDYING MEMORY OF OUR DEARLY LOVED SON AND BROTHER ROBIN