| Admitted to: SSQ. RAF Hospital Ely (18/11/43). |
Date of Injury: 18/11/1943 |
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| D.O.B/Age when admitted: 17/11/1921 (22) |
Cause of Incident: Crashed in a Halifax on return from ops. over shoots runway. |
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| Transferred to QVH: 15/08/1944 |
Injuries: Burns to hands. |
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| No. of Operations at East Grinstead: 16 |
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: Thomas, Walter |
Surname: Brandon |
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| Service No: 1320713 |
Nationality: British |
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| Awards/Honours: --- |
Patient Unit: 192 Sqn |
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| Profession: Air Gunner |
Patient Rank: WO |
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| Death: 2012 |
Age at Death: --- |
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| Dr Rank: |
Dr Unit: |
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Born in Sutton, Surrey.
Joined the RAF in 1941 as an air-crew volunteer.
On return to base, Brandon's Halifax overshot the runway and hit the trees at the end, exploding. Brandon passed out and was thrown from the wreckage. When he regained consciousness he tried to unzip his burning jacket but was unable to due to severely burnt hands. He also sustained a fractured pelvis and injuries to the lower spine. He was taken to RAF Ely Hospital where he learnt he was the only survivor of the crash, from a crew of eight. Six months later, he was transferred to QVH by McIndoe.
SSQ - Station Sick Quarters
We've been looking through our collections, and discovered this 1972 photograph from the East Grinstead Observer, o…