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