FO. Albert Henry Wakeling RAF(VR) 188294

207 Squadron

Pilot

____________________

Always Prepared

FO. Wakeling was the pilot of Lancaster EM-G, ME386 of 207 Squadron and he and three other members of his crew lost their lives when their Lancaster crashed  into the Wash, Lincolnshire on the 5/6 March 1945 whilst trying to return to RAF Spilby following an operation to bomb Bohlen.

Photo's of Sgt. Wakeling

(Click on all photo's to enlarge)

The other crew members were:

F/Sgt. Gordon Leonard Dickenson RAFVR 1593075, Flight engineer who was a trained pilot and had agreed to fly a tour as a flight Engineer because of the shortages of flight engineers.

Killed

Sgt. Derek John Browne RAF(VR) 1804538 - Navigator

Killed

Sgt. Thomas Beattie RAF(VR) - Wireless Operator

Survived

Sgt. Walter Theophilus George Cobden RAF(VR), 1603090 - Bomb aimer

Killed

Sgt. John Ernest Brett RAF(VR) 2235384 - Air Gunner

Survived

Sgt. Alfred John Percy Clark RAF(VR) 1852318 - Air Gunner

Survived

The sister of FO. Wakeling has in her possession a document given to the family by John Ernest Brett, one of the survivors of the crash detailing the operation and crash of Lancaster ME386.

This story was written in 1963 and is reproduced  here and fully recognises John Bretts authorship of it and its dedication to the crew of Lancaster ME386.

Click HERE to read the full account.

This is FO. Wakelings log sheet for his initial flying lessons and his eventual first first solo flight. Below is a telegram sent to his family when he attained his wings.

Below is the final resting place FO. Wakeling in the Christchurch cemetery, Newport City, Wales