Bertram Thomas Henry Scudder

Search for relatives of young RAF crewman

Can I ask for a search for relatives of this chap who died on 29 September 1943 when his Halifax was shot down near Enschede, Holland. They are organising a commemoration for the 70th anniversary.
His father owned a drapers in London Road in 1929, they lived in Meadow Road and it may be his uncle, William Scudder was killed in 1918.

Does anyone know of any Scudder family living locally, Daws Heath, Thundersley and Hadleigh all seem connected to the family.
He flew with a mixed crew including (unusually, I think) 2 Americans, one of whom was the pilot.
Halifax Mk V DK259. Code WL-L. Equipped with Gee. Target Bochum. Take off 18:30 from Tholthorpe.

SCUDDER, BERTRAM THOMAS HENRY. Rank: Sergeant. Trade: Flt. Engr. Service No: 1582262. Date of Death: 29/09/1943. Age: 18. Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. 434 (R.C.A.F.) Sqdn.

Grave Reference: Grave 206. Cemetery: ENSCHEDE EASTERN GENERAL CEMETERY.

Additional Information: Son of Bert Henry and Edith Maud Scudder, of Hadleigh, Essex. (Loss Card notes as 2nd operation)

another crew member was also killed:-
BELLINGER, WILLIAM GEORGE. Rank: Flying Officer. Trade: Nav. Service No: J/13120. Date of Death: 29/09/1943. Age: 21. Regiment/Service: Royal Canadian Air Force. 434 Sqdn.

Grave Reference: Grave 207. Cemetery: ENSCHEDE EASTERN GENERAL CEMETERY.

Additional Information: Son of Harold D. and Elvera L. Bellinger, of Windsor, Ontario, Canada. (Died in hospital of leg wounds) Loss Card shows him as bomb aimer, but crew member(s) say Navigator.

Other crew were:
2nd Lt Jackson Temple Clary (pilot) USAAF Service Number O.885969; escaped; (18 operations) (enlisted in RCAF and about to transfer at expiry of tour with RCAF)

Pilot Officer G V Hastings, Navigator, CAN/J17665; PoW;

Pilot Officer J A L Lockhart W/Op; CAN/J18450; PoW;

Technical Sergeant R W Stuart USAAF; 10601019; (mid upper) PoW; (same as for Clary)

Pilot Officer C V Hovey CAN/J17408 (rear) PoW.

Name: Bertram T H Scudder. Mother’s Maiden Surname: Pullen. Date of Registration: Apr-May-Jun 1925.
Registration District: London City, Greater London. Volume: 1c. Page: 2

(This makes him one of the younger RAF casualties, at possibly less than 18 years and 3 months.)

Hopefully those of you with Southend connections can pick up the trail from the above, with a successful conclusion!  There are various threads ongoing on the internet, WW2Talk; RootsChat and PPRuNe to name a few. Just Google his full name to get all the background and links so far.

I’ve emailed BBC Radio Essex where it was first aired on the Dave Monk show, to advise them of progress, it would be the cherry on top if you were able to find relatives!

Thanks and Good Luck!

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  • Wish I’d seen this sooner, I’ve traced my family tree back and he’s a cousin of mine!

    By Ruth (30/10/2013)

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