| Admitted to: West Suffolk Hospital. RAF Hospital Ely (25/01/43). |
Date of Injury: 20/01/1943 |
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|---|---|---|---|
| D.O.B/Age when admitted: 19 |
Cause of Incident: Crashed on training sortie. |
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| Transferred to QVH: 27/10/1943 |
Injuries: Concussion. Fractured Nose. |
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| No. of Operations at East Grinstead: |
IDENTITY CARD
This is to certify that the patient mentioned below and whose description is stated hereon is the authorised holder of this Identity card.
| Forename: Herbert |
Surname: Aldridge |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Service No: R115486 |
Nationality: Canadian |
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| Awards/Honours: --- |
Patient Unit: 464 Sqn. |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Profession: Observer |
Patient Rank: FS |
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| Death: 12/09/2003 |
Age at Death: --- |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Dr Rank: |
Dr Unit: |
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Notes:
During a practice run on 20 January 1943, Aldridge had a lucky escape. As the mid-upper gunner wasn't on the training exercise, Aldridge decided to map read from his seat. The plane hit an oak tree, completely destroying his normal position and killing the pilot and wireless operator. Aldridge came away with relatively minor injuries - a concussion, a fractured nose and various cuts and bruises.
At the end of the year, he was sent to QVH where Ross Tilley repaired his nose. Aldridge was then posted to 90 Sqn and finished his tour flying Lancasters.
We've been looking through our collections, and discovered this 1972 photograph from the East Grinstead Observer, o…