"Jack" was a good friend of my father and late grandfather in Baldwin, New York. He wrote quite a handful of letters during the war. My grandfather sent him care packages to England and sent money to support an English orphan boy that Jack and his crew “adopted”. My father and Jack worked together as kids. Jack delivered newspapers before school, took magazine orders and my father delivered magazines for Jack after school. My grandfather employed Jack as a runner for his firm for a year or so before he went off to the USCG Academy and later volunteered for pilot training with the RCAF in Canada in mid July 1941 before Pearl Harbor! Went overseas assigned to RAF first with No. 57 then No. 97 until about October 29, 1943. (Date is unclear since Jack’s last letter was postmarked October 22 and he was just transferred). He was on detached service with USAAF in June 1943 with same RAF crew. Continued to serve with his longtime RAF crew after his USAAF transfer in June until about October 29, 1943 when he was transferred to Eighth AF 482 BOMBER SQ 813 BOMB GRP at Alconbury station. Only 13 days later after a scrubbed mission to lead the 100 BG as the Pathfinder equipped with secret British H2S “Stinky” radar, the B17 had a emergency landing after a fire onboard and low altitude crash in Brome near Eye airfield. The pilot and the copilot were very experienced. Overseas Crash Report revealed more heartbreaking details on this devastating crash, but we never will know fully what went wrong. The skilled pilots managed to miss the rectory and nearby cottages. All 13 died as well as the 4 civilian roadmen and horse working for the Eye City Council. 17 souls lost. Their memory lives on through stories shared which led me to start this research on Jack the copilot in December 2015. You just never know when a repeated family story is going to take root and turn into something extraordinary with a lot of help along the way!

The 80th anniversary memorial for this tragic crash will be on the morning of November 10, 2023. A small dedicated team in the UK and US are organizing a permanent memorial and a research booklet for all those involved if sufficient funds are raised. Other engaging plans for that day are in the works. 

 

Please contact me through my username which lists the ways to get in touch with me. We are looking for family and friends related to all 17 who perished to be warmly welcomed to contribute to their stories and this project in any way. Hoping some family can attend the memorial unveiling ceremony and other related happenings Friday November 10, 2023.

Armistice Day and Veterans Day which is called Remembrance Day in the UK is the following day, Saturday. 

 

He will be remembered Memorial Day to Veterans Day in his hometown, Baldwin, Nassau county, New York with a banner in town from the Baldwin Chamber Of Commerce Veteran Banner program. 

Last updated: May 6, 2023. 



His online citation from RCAF Association website also added here on American Air Museum site. RCAFA source via in person research done at National Archives in England by a Canadian gentleman and his wife with a grant (unknown name or date of this grant project). I would appreciate knowing those details.

RUSSELL, 2nd Lieutenant John Edmund (USAAF O-885981) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.57 Squadron - award approved 1 September 1943 but not published in London Gazette. Born 30 January 1920; enlisted in RCAF, Montreal, 15 July 1941. Trained at No.5 ITS (graduated 7 November 1941), No.6 EFTS (graduated 2 January 1942) and No.4 SFTS (graduated as Sergeant Pilot, 29 April 1942). Posted to No.31 OTU, 23 May 1942; overseas and attached to RAF, 20 June 1942; promoted to Flight Sergeant, 24 October 1942; to WO2, 24 April 1943; commissioned 12 May 1943; transferred to American forces, 10 June 1943. Citation in DHist file 181.009 D.3051 (National Archives of Canada RG.24 Vol.20634).



“This officer as captain of aircraft has participated in many sorties against major targets in Germany. He has shown commendable courage and ability and his skilful leadership has evoked the confidence and admiration of his crew. Second Lieutenant Russell's loyalty and devotion to duty have set an excellent example.”