Ken recalls seeing Wellington bomber crash
ANOTHER eyewitness has come forward following our recent stories about a Wellington bomber crash on the outskirts of Melton on August 13, 1944, in which seven of the eight crew on board died.
Ken Digby, of Browning Close, Melton, was just 12 at the time and was one of the first on the scene.
He said: “I lived at Thorpe End and was walking near the Swan’s Nest with a friend and saw the plane flying low. We ran across the road and could see smoke pouring out as it crashed near to Copley’s South field.
“As we entered the field a gentleman called Jack Gibbs came up to us and told us to keep away. There was ammunition on board and bullets were going off in all directions.
“We saw one of the airmen trying to get out of the cockpit but all of a sudden it just went up in flames.
“I can remember it vividly to this day and will never forget what I saw.”
Mr Digby (80) said Trevor Woods, the fireman in charge, gave him some money to go and get some beer for his crew and he went to the White Hart in Melton to fetch it.
He said: “My dad got some Toddy’s Ale and I carried it back down to the gate to give it to the firemen.
“I think the airmen in that plane should be remembered in some way and a plaque would be fitting. They were all wartime heroes but I don’t think many people would remember them now which is a shame.”
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Weather for Melton
Sunday 19 May 2013
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Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 18 C
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