|
 Pulham,
J. D.
John Daniel Pulham.
Known as Jack, he was
a
sergeant in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. With No 19
Operational Training Unit "C" Flight, he took off
on a cross
country flight
in a Vickers Wellington LP760 at 11.52 on
20th April 1945.
Near to Bank Head Farm, Humble, eight miles to
the southwest of Lothian, the Wellington was cruising
along at 5,000 feet when eyewitnesses on the ground reported a flash
from front to rear. It was just after 12.40. The starboard wing broke
away and the aircraft turned over and spun to earth, striking the ground
upside down. Debris rained down; there was a wreckage trail of some
2,500 yards, and an opened parachute fell 500 yards beyond this.
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Jack's name, on an extract
from register of deaths in the district of Humbie, East
Lothian |
The investigator's report
concluded that the accident arose through lack of control, perhaps owing
to icing or bumpiness, followed by structural failure in the air. The
aircraft had "broken up suddenly and violently", with its heavier parts
dropping "practically vertically".
The crashed plane
There were no survivors; the six
bodies were found in a circle around the aircraft. The crew were:
Jack was the son of
Edward Stanley and Sarah Louisa Pulham, nee Sisley, of Dover, and cousin to
Walter J S Ealden. The picture shows their mothers,
who were sisters, sitting together while
sheltering in Winchelsea cave during an air raid; Jack's mother is in
the
 foreground.
 Jack is buried in St James' Cemetery, Dover,
FR 32.
His headstone reads:
1896217 Sergeant
J. D. Pulham
Wireless Operator/AirGunner
Royal Air Force
24th April 1945 Age 19
His grave is very close to Cyril Coe's,
who was another RAF casualty from Dover.
Photo top left - Jack and
his family, courtesy John Tester
back row l to r: Dorothy, Stanely, mother "Lou" and Jack
front row l to r Joyce, grandmother Ellen Sisley, Edward |
with thanks to Vera Wright
with thanks to John Tester
with thanks to Dean Sumner for RAF information
with thanks to Kenny Walker for crash reports and images |
Note: Jack's father was the brother of Mary Pulham, wife
of Arthur Tester
We have a request for an adult picture of Jack
Pulham, but so far have been unable to locate one. Does anyone know if
one exists or how we might find one? Please do
let us know! |
Moseling A. H. H.
Flying
Officer Robert Edward Williams
(RCAF)
