Haconby Memorial – WW2

by | Nov 6, 2019 | Remembrance

After a question raised on an email, tonight we have been looking at WW2. On the Haconby memorial we find E Sharman, son of Richard and Mary Sharman of Haakon Nurseries in Haconby. Haakon Nurseries (Haakon House) are the rose gardens on Haconby crossroads.

Investigating E Sharman we find out that he was Pilot Officer Edward Sharman, a navigator on a Vickers Wellington MK2, W5355, that was lost without trace with all crew on a night raid to Le Havre on 11th February 1942.

The aircraft of 12 Squadron took off from RAF Binbrook on the night of Wednesday 11th February, for a mission that was planned for the 12th. The crew of W5355, code PH, on that night were:-

Pilot Officer Norman Nelson Powell, aged 24, J/5226. RCAF, Pilot.
Pilot Officer Edward Sharman, aged 20, 108145. RAF Volunteer Reserve, Navigator
Sergeant John Walter Ashton, 1379656. RAF Volunteer Reserve, Pilot.
Sergeant George Henry Bonner, age 32, 959560. RAF Volunteer Reserve, Air Gunner.
Sergeant David Thomas Smith, age 22, 944264. RAF Volunteer Reserve, Wireless Operator.
Sergeant Robert Charles Wentworth-Hyde, 930250. RAF Volunteer Reserve, Air Gunner.

Pilot Officer Edward Sharman is remembered on the Haconby St Andrew war memorial. He is also remembered on Wickenby Register Roll of Honour, Great Gonnerby St Sebastian war memorial, Great Gonnerby Memorial Hall, The Runnymede Memorial (Panel 71) and at the International Bomber Command Centre Panel 95.