Pilot - Flying Officer Lawrence P Oldham
Lawrence Oldham was born in Birmingham, England on the 3rd May 1923 and was the youngest of three sons and was a very sociable and extrovert character and a fine sportsman. He enlisted in the RAF at the age of 18 and selected for pilot training. He completed his pilot training in Canada on the 17th July 1942 and on the return voyage to England his ship was torpedoed. He was rescued by an American destroyer and taken to New York and set sail for England again on the troopship Queen Mary and arrived several days later without further incident.
Lawrence was then transferred to Operational Training Unit where he commenced training for operations with Sergeant Wilkins, Flying Officer Lamb, Sergeant Foster and Sergeant Freeman. On completion of this phase of the training they were transferred to 1656 Heavy Conversion Unit at Lindholme, where the crew were joined by Sergeant Betts and Sergeant Ingram for the final phase of training flying Halifax and Lancaster bombers. Flight Engineer - Sergeant Elmer Betts
Elmer was born in Kent, England on the 28th May 1918 and had two half brothers both of whom served in the RAF as aircrew. One of these was Albert Amos, who flew a tour with 576 Squadron later in the war. On leaving school he worked in the building trade for several years. Elmer was a very enthusiastic motor cycle grass track racer and a member of the well-known Kent Motor Cycle Club. He enlisted in the RAF on the 3rd May 1939 training as an engine fitter and married his wife Marjorie in August 1940 and was subsquently transferred to Canada. This did not suit him and, such was his desire to get into the war, he returned to England and requested a transfer to aircrew duties. His mechanical background made him an ideal candidate for Flight Engineer and Elmer was accepted, and on completion of training, was posted to 1656 Heavy Conversion Unit at Lindholme where he joined Flying Officer Oldham and the rest of the crew. Air Bomber - Sergeant P Eric Wilkins
Eric was born on the 1st May 1921 in Northampton, England. At the age of 14 he left school and worked for two years in a local solicitor's office. He attended evening classes at Northampton College of Technology where he took an interest in Student Association being actively involved in both social and sporting events. He enlisted in the RAF in July 1941 and was accepted for pilot training. After pilot training in the USA he was remustered as Air Bomber and transferred to Canada for training in his new role. On return to England Eric was posted to Operational Conversion Unit where he joined the crew of Flying Officer Oldham. Navigator - Flying Officer Robert K Lamb
Born on the 1st June 1917 Robert came from the Hornsey district of London. At this stage little is known about his background. Wireless Operator - Sergeant Stanley Foster
Stanley was born on the 11th July 1921 and came from West Hartlepool in the North East of England. Before enlisting in the RAF he was a driver by trade. On joining the RAF he trained as a Wireless Operator/ Air Gunner and married his wife Phyllis, who was a member of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force. Stanley was posted to Operational Training Unit to where he became a member of the crew of Flying Officer L P Oldham. Mid Upper Gunner - Sergeant Roy Ingram
Roy was born on the 25th August 1923 in Portsmouth, England and had one brother andtwo sisters. After leaving school he worked in the Portsmouth naval dockyard before joining the RAF and training as an Air Gunner. He joined Flying Officer Oldham and crew at 1656 Heavy Conversion Unit at Lindholme. Rear Gunner - Sergeant Ronald W Freeman
Ronald was born on the 19th August 1919 at Finedon near Wellingborough, England. He was one of a family of eight children, five sisters and three brothers. On leaving school he became apprentice to a master baker and planned to join his father in the bakery and confectionery trade after the war. Illness caused him to miss some of his schooling and he continued his studies after he left school undertaking a home study course. Ronald was very interested in aviation and was saving to take flying lessons. He enlisted in the RAF in November 1940 and his first duty was that of a batman to a Wing Commander but he soon applied for aircrew duties and was accepted to train as an Air Gunner. After a period of training, which he completed successfully, he was posted to Operational Training Unit where he joined the crew of Flying Officer Oldham. Ronald married his wife Irene on the 26th December 1942. Flying Officer Oldham and his crew were all posted to 103 Squadron at Elsham Wolds on the 15th June 1943. They undertook several further training flights before being detailed for their first operation on the night of the 3/4th July 1943. Next page or back to the stories
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