Buried in Eindhoven (Woensel) General Cemetery, The Netherlands Plot R. RR. 38.

"Loved in life by all, never to be forgotten.  A wonderful son."

Awards:  Wireless Badge,  Air Gunners Badge,  1939-45 France / Germany Defence,  War Medal 1939/45

BIOGRAPHY

Edward Thomas Sumner was the son of Edward Thomas Sumner and Nelly Bower, Maroubra, New South Wales; Australia. Edward was born in Redfern, NSW, Australia and was a clerk, Paymaster before the war.

School

1936 – 1939    Sydney Boys’ High School

                         Department of Education NSW, Intermediate Certificate

                         Subjects were: History, Maths I, Maths II, Science, Business Principles, English, French.

He enlisted on February 25, 1943 age 18 and single.

His medical was on January 22, 1943 in N°2 Recruiting Centre.

Height: 5 feet 9 inch

Weight: 142 lbs

Complexion: Medium

Eyes:Blue

Hair: Dark

Embarked Sydney for UK January 27, 1944

Disembarked UK March 12, 1944

Edward was promoted to Flight Sergeant on June 9, 1944.

Lancaster LM648 took off from RAF Waddington at 1708 hours on the night of 21/22nd February 1945. Bomb load 14 x 1000lb. Target was the Mittelland-Ems Canal, Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. It was later established that the aircraft was hit by flak and crashed near Weert in the Dutch Province of Limburg, Eindhoven (Woensel).

Five of the crew were killed, Flight Sergeant Gould Francis Edwin, Air Gunner Harkness Leslie, Air Gunner Heel Rowland, Pilot Pedersen Lawrence Roy. All 5 are buried in Eindhoven (Woensel) General Cemetery.

Sergeant Freeman T. P. was rescued and taken POW, Warrant Officer Dixon Robert Kitchener evaded capture.

The following report from WO Dixon is recorded in the Sqn ORB

“Sortie completed. Clear visibility excellent. Northern Red T.I. 9000ft. Marking well placed. Canal seen visually. Results not observed owing to delay bombs being used.

About 45mts from the target in vicinity of Weert, A/C hit under Mid Upper by heavy flak (one explosion) causing a fire in the fuselage. Mid Upper reported a fire but I was windowing at the time and did not hear any orders following this report. Think I/C damaged by flak. A/C seemed to go into shallow dive.

Two minutes after fire report I heard the Captain say faintly ‘get out’. A/C full of smoke and I removed front escape hatch. A/C then went into a steep dive which made getting out difficult. I forced myself out and believe I was first out. Nearing ground I saw I was heading for a house so pulled on one strap to steer clear which increased my speed and caused heavy landing which jarred my spine.

Landed 3miles SW of Weert at 2130 hours. Taken in hand by Dutch civilians and later Army who took me to hospital at Weert where spent one night. Whilst there the Flt Eng was brought in with severe injuries. Army said that the A/C exploded in the air and only two chutes were seen. At the time we were hit we were not engaged by ground defences or searchlights, but there were a few scarecrows bursting”