James Gordon Bennet (Lucky Jim) Burnside - biography
Title
James Gordon Bennet (Lucky Jim) Burnside - biography
Description
Part 1 - family background with information on relatives and family photographs.
Part 2 - war service of Flying Officer James Gordon Bennett Burnside flight engineer. Covers training as flight engineer. Then follows short descriptions. listing number sent and losses, of the 28 operation he flew. Targets include: Düsseldorf, Bochum, Oberhausen, Krefeld, Hamburg, Milan, Mannheim, Berlin (several times), Anthéor Viaduct, Hagen submarine part factory, Hanover, Chalindrey, Revigny, Coutra, Kiel and Stuttgart. He then went to RAF Wigsley on a heavy conversion unit. Gives some details of his time there including a fatal crash at Lincoln, when civilian were also killed on the ground. Subsequently went to RAF Balderton and RAF Winthorpe from where he flew Cook's tour as his last sortie. Includes several photographs. Continues with account of crash of Stirling and biography of Squadron Leader Ronald George Churcher a friend of Jim. Jim Burnside was released from service on 1 January 1946. Includes portrait photograph of James Burnside, as well as maps showing airfields he served at, photograph of memorial plaque. Jim and wife.
Part 2 - war service of Flying Officer James Gordon Bennett Burnside flight engineer. Covers training as flight engineer. Then follows short descriptions. listing number sent and losses, of the 28 operation he flew. Targets include: Düsseldorf, Bochum, Oberhausen, Krefeld, Hamburg, Milan, Mannheim, Berlin (several times), Anthéor Viaduct, Hagen submarine part factory, Hanover, Chalindrey, Revigny, Coutra, Kiel and Stuttgart. He then went to RAF Wigsley on a heavy conversion unit. Gives some details of his time there including a fatal crash at Lincoln, when civilian were also killed on the ground. Subsequently went to RAF Balderton and RAF Winthorpe from where he flew Cook's tour as his last sortie. Includes several photographs. Continues with account of crash of Stirling and biography of Squadron Leader Ronald George Churcher a friend of Jim. Jim Burnside was released from service on 1 January 1946. Includes portrait photograph of James Burnside, as well as maps showing airfields he served at, photograph of memorial plaque. Jim and wife.
Creator
Date
2011
Temporal Coverage
Spatial Coverage
Language
Format
Thirty-one page printed document with b/w and colour photographs and maps
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This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Contributor
Identifier
BBryanR-MBurnsideJGBv1
Transcription
‘LUCKY JIM’
[picture]
[photograph]
JAMES GORDON BENNETT BURNSIDE
(Lucky Jim)
A Royal Air Force Wartime Flt Engineer
[page break]
THIS MEMENTO IS DEDICATED TO TERRY AND DEBBIE JOYCE RELATIVES OF THE LATE FLT LT BURNSIDE RAF RESERVE
Produced By Rose and Malc Bryan 2011
[page break]
[underlined] SOURCES [/underlined]
‘Tim’
Bomber Command Diaries
619: The History of a Forgotten Squadron (Bryan Clark)
Personal communication and Log Book
Internet
Rose and Malc Bryan own publications
[page break]
[underlined] INDEX [/underlined]
PAGE 1. Family Background
PAGE 6. War Service and Post War
[page break]
Page | 1
[underlined] JAMES GORDON BENNETT BURNSIDE 1909 – 1992 [/underlined]
[underlined] PART 1. FAMILY BACKGROUND [/underlined]
Born in Hendon on 3rd June 1909 James Gordon Bennett Burnside was one of six Children born to John Bennett Burnside and his wife Laura Emily (nee Smallwood).
The children were three boys, James, John Percy Stuart and Pax Aubrey, plus three girls Betty Christina and twins Molly and Peggy.
[underlined] James [/underlined] – Who’s story this is.
[underlined] John Percy Stuart [/underlined]
[photograph]
Born 1911 – Joined the Sherwood Forester Regiment in 1931 serving in India, Khartoum etc, before losing his life on the Anzio Beach head on the 4th April 1944
[underlined] Pax Aubrey [/underlined]
Born in June 1919 married Teema Swain in Manchester 1948. Passed away February 2001. His photograph appears to show him in RAF inform [sic] but no information or evidence was found to confirm his service.
[photograph]
Stuart and Pax
[page break]
Page | 2
[underlined] Betty Christina [/underlined]
[photograph]
Born July 1914 in Hendon. Married Leslie F Taylor 1939.
Died 2008 aged 94
[photograph]
94th Birthday party
[underlined] Molly [/underlined]
Born in Hendon June 1916. Married Thomas A. Derwent 1940.
[underlined] Peggy [/underlined]
Molly’s twin. Married Thomas Percy Hough 1940. Passed away 30th October 2003.
[page break]
Page | 3
[underlined] FAMILY PHOTOS [/underlined]
[photograph]
MABLETHORPE APPROX 1920
[photograph]
BETTY AND DAD AND THE FAMILY CAR
[photograph]
FAMILY HOME AT CHEADLE
[page break]
Page | 4
[photograph]
STANDING (L TO R) PEGGY, GORDON, MOLLY, STUART, BETTY
SITTING – LAURA, PAX, JOHN BURNSIDE
[photograph]
PAX AUBREY AND TEEMA SWAIN WEDDING 1948
[page break]
Page | 5
Their father John Bennett Burnside was one of three children in an ill fated family.
Born in Glasgow on 2nd December 1881 he had an elder brother James and an elder sister Elizabeth both will [sic] to die young.
James born in October 1887 died in 1892 of meningitis and Elizabeth born 1879 died when only nine months old.
John Bennett and James became orphaned in 1884 when their mother Christina (nee Bennett) died in child birth. The baby also died in January compounded by their father James dying in July of the same year.
The two brothers in 1889 were sponsored by their father’s work company and sent to Pinner in London to the Royal Commercial Travellers School where they received their education.
Marrying Laura Emily Smallwood in July 1908 John Bennett Burnside, a commercial traveller/draper moved around the country spending time in Leeds, Lanarkshire and Cheshire.
[photograph]
During the Great War he served with an Artillery Unit as a driver.
Working in Cheshire as a Food Officers clerk he died on the 14th Mach [sic] 1945 at the age of sixty-four years.
His wife Laura Emily born in London in 1885 was one of three boys and two girls born to Richard Henry Smallwood and his wife Emily Elizabeth (nee Read).
Laura Emily died August 1948 in Stockport.
[page break]
Page | 6
Underlined] PART 2. WAR SERVICE [/underlined]
[underlined] 155209 FLYING OFFICER JAMES GORDON BENNETT BURNSIDE [/underlined]
[drawing]
AVRO LANCASTER OF 619 SQUADRON
Entered the Royal Air Force as a Leading aircraftsman probably sometime in 1941, qualified as a Pilot Officer Flt Engineer, 16th December 1942 at St Athan's in Wales.
In April 1943 Burnside was posted prior to an operational squadron, to No. 1660 Heavy Conversion Unit at RAF Swinderby half way between Newark and Lincoln to experience flying heavy bombers.
On the 28th April 1943 'Jim' was posted to the newly formed 619 Squadron flying Lancaster Bombers at Woodhall Spa approximately fifteen miles north of Boston.
After localised flying on training exercises on 7th June 1943 his crew under the command of Sqdr. Leader Ronnie Churcher received their own operational aircraft, Lancaster ED977 code PG-A Apple.
A letter to his wife stated ED977 given the name 'Nulli Secundus' with all the crew agreement a bomb sign signifying a mission would not be painted on its nose but a beer tankard would be.
Not yet flown a mission his letters at this time were of sanguineness with a signing off quote of 'Lucky Jim'.
The 11th June 1943 saw Flt. Lt Burnside and crew on the crew list for their first operation.
Called a 'tour' in RAF parlance this consisted of completing thirty bombing missions (if you were lucky) before being sent for a 'rest' to either a training or Heavy Conversion Unit.
[page break]
Page | 7
Judging by the number of crashes at these types of units it was no easy option you were given by the powers that be.
Some pre-war aircrew in at the beginning are known to have completed over one hundred bombing operations (fortunate indeed)
Flying as Flight Engineer meant monitoring instruments and being responsible for the aircrafts fuel consumption. It also meant in an emergency possibly flying the Lancaster.
The sequence of bombing operations undertaken by Flying Officer Burnside and crew were as followers [sic]:
MISSION 1
11-06-1943 DUSSELDORF – the heart of the German Ruhr.
783 Aircraft sent 326 Lancaster's (14 lost)
202 Halifax's (12 lost)
143 Wellingtons (10 lost)
99 Stirling's (2 lost)
Total of 38 Aircraft lost
13 Mosquito’s (target markers)
619 Squadron sent 12, one failed to return.
MISSION 2
12-06-1943 BOCHUM
503 Aircraft sent 323 Lancaster's (14 lost)
167 Halifax's (10 Lost)
Total of 24 Aircraft lost
11 Mosquito’s (target markers)
619 Squadron sent six all returned
[page break]
Page | 8
MISSION 3
14-06-1943 OBERHAUSEN
203 Aircraft sent 197 Lancaster's (17 lost)
6 Mosquito's (target markers)
619 Squadron sent six, one failed to return shot down by night fighter.
A letter to his wife this day indicated the business of the coming day.
MISSION 4
21-06-1943 KREFELD
705 Aircraft sent 262 Lancaster's (91 lost)
209 Halifax's (17 lost)
117 Stirling's (9 lost)
105 Wellington's (9 lost)
Total 44 aircraft lost
12 Mosquito's (target markers)
619 Squadron sent 7 aircraft one failed to return crashed in Holland.
A cloudless night – the German fighters were very active.
35 Squadron sent 19 aircraft 6 failed to return.
Dates indicate 'Jim' Burnside did not fly on operations for a further five weeks.
MISSION 5
29-07-1943 HAMBURG
777 Aircraft sent 340 Lancaster's (11 lost)
244 Halifax's (11 lost)
119 Stirling's (4 lost)
70 Wellington's (2 lost)
Total 28 aircraft lost.
[page break]
Page | 9
4 Mosquito's (target markers)
619 Squadron sent 12 aircraft all returned.
Second raid on Hamburg following one two nights earlier.
Misjudgement of target caused fire storm in residential areas (mainly of wooden construction) 40,000 people perished.
[619 squadron badge]
MISSION 6
02-08-1943 HAMBURG
740 Aircraft sent 309 Lancaster's (13 lost)
235 Halifax’s (10 lost)
105 Stirling's (3 lost)
66 Wellington's (4 lost)
Total of 30 Aircraft lost
5 Mosquito's (target markers)
619 Squadron sent 14 aircraft and all returned.
Thunderstorms over Germany scattered the aircraft some turned back, others became lost.
[page break]
Page | 10
MISSION 7
07-08-1943 MILAN
197 Lancaster's (2 lost)
619 Squadron sent 10 aircraft all returned.
This was politically ordered operation to attack Milan. Turin and Genoa.
Prior to this day a letter to his wife ends with `Goodbye Darling’ Significant?
MISSION 8
09-08-1943 MANNHEIM
457 Aircraft sent 286 Lancaster's (3 lost)
171 Halifax's (6 lost)
619 Squadron sent 14 aircraft all returned.
His letter on this day states change in crew members due to postings.
MISSION 9
15-08-1943 MILAN
140 Lancaster's (1 lost)
619 Squadron all aircraft sent returned.
MISSION 10
23-08-1943 BERLIN
727 Aircraft sent 335 Lancaster's (17 lost)
251 Halifax's (23 lost)
124 Stirling's (16 lost)
17 Mosquito's (target markers)
619 Squadron sent 10 aircraft, one failed to return crashed on beach north of Kiel.
[page break]
Page | 11
MISSION 11
31-08-1943 BERLIN
622 Aircraft sent 331 Lancaster's (10 lost)
176 Halifax's (20 lost)
106 Stirling's(17 lost)
9 Mosquito's (target markers)
619 Squadron sent 13 aircraft 2 of which failed to return. (1) Crashed outbound
(1) Victim of night fighter
Flares dropped by German aircraft marked the bombers route. Two thirds of losses fell to fighters over and near Berlin.
Cloud and faults in marking equipment plus ferocity of fighters caused bombing over wide area away from target.
MISSION 12
17-09-1943 ANTHEOR VIADUCT – Cannes to Italy coastal railway.
12 Aircraft sent 12 Lancaster's (1 lost)
617 sent 8 Lancaster's with no losses
619 sent 4 with a loss of one which ditched off Portugal crew interned.
Joint operation, with No 617 Dambusters for which crews were specially selected (later in the war 617 and 619 where [sic] to work closely together on vital targets i.e. Brest Submarine Pens, Tirpitz Battleship etc.
Two days prior to this operation. 617 Squadron had lost five aircraft on an attack at Ladbergen in the north Rhine area, targeting the Dortmund – Elm Canal. The crew included the new Commanding Officer, Guy Gibson's Dambuster crew and Les Knight another of the Dambusters. Gibson himself was to die when crashing a target marking Mosquito in Holland in September 1944.
[page break]
Page | 12
MISSION 13
01-10-1943 HAGEN Submarine parts factory.
251 Aircraft sent 243 Lancaster's (1 lost)
8 Mosquito's (target markers)
619 Squadron sent 12 1 failed to return crashed in the Bristol Channel all crew were killed.
MISSION 14
08-10-1943 HANOVER
504 Aircraft sent 282 Lancaster's (14 lost)
188 Halifax's (13 lost)
26 Wellington's
Total of 27 Aircraft loss
8 Mosquito's (target markers)
619 Squadron sent 8 aircraft one of which wrecked on take-off with no crew injuries, all other aircraft returned.
MISSION 15
03-11-1943 DUSSELDORF
589 Aircraft sent 344 Lancaster's (11 lost)
233 Halifax's (7 lost)
Total of 18 Aircraft lost
619 Squadron sent 15 aircraft all returned.
[page break]
Page | 13
MISSION 16
18-11-1943 BERLIN
This marked the beginning of what became known as the 'Battle of Berlin'.
Totalling nineteen operations dated from 18th November 1943, ending on the night of 31st March 1944.
These attacks cost the Royal Air Force Bomber Command 607 aircraft and 3,347 aircrew not including ditching, crashes on home soil or internments.
444 Aircraft sent 440 Lancaster's (9 lost)
4 Mosquito's (target markers)
619 Squadron sent 19 aircraft all of which returned.
From this period Germany developed new fight tactics in which fighters would approach in the blind spot beneath the bomber before firing upwards.
This caused withdrawal of the Stirling bomber and much Bomber Command concern and re-thinking.
MISSION 17
23-11-1943 BERLIN
764 Aircraft sent 469 Lancaster's (11 lost)
234 Halifax's (10 lost)
50 Stirling's (5 lost)
Total of 26 Aircraft lost
11 Mosquito's (target marking)
619 Squadron sent 16 aircraft with no losses.
This night German fighters were generally grounded by bad weather.
[page break]
Page | 14
[photograph]
MISSION 18
16-12-1943 BERLIN
493 Aircraft sent 483 Lancaster's (25 lost)
10 Mosquito's (target marking)
619 Squadron sent 15 aircraft of which 2 failed to return, one crashed in Germany and the other was posted missing.
Another Lancaster was shot-up and badly damaged by a night fighter when outbound.
Carrying out its task it struggled home before crash landing at base.
The crew were commended for bravery.
German controllers plotted route of bombers then being met by fighters. Others were guided to the scene, others waiting over target.
On return to England low cloud over bases caused 30 more Lancaster's to either crash or be abandoned. 148 aircrew were lost including 6 in the North Sea and 39 seriously injured.
No 97 Squadron at Coningsby lost 8 aircraft this night, seven on home soil.
27-12-1943 `Jim' was promoted to Flying Officer.
[page break]
Page | 15
MISSION 19
01-01-1944 BERLIN
421 Aircraft sent 421 Lancaster's (28 lost)
619 Squadron sent 14 aircraft all returned.
A feint by Mosquitos to Hamburg failed to deceive German Controllers, once again fighters met the Lancasters.
Not much of a welcome to the New Year
06-01-1944
Flown by another crew Lancaster ED977 'Nulli Secundus' failed to return from a [sic] operation to Stettin.
09-01-1944
619 Squadron moved from Woodhall Spa four miles south to RAF Coningsby (now the home of the Eurofighter) in exchange with 617 Dambusters Squadron.
MISSION 20
27-01-1944 BERLIN
530 Aircraft sent 515 Lancaster's (33 lost)
15 Mosquito's (target marker)
619 Squadron sent 14 aircraft all returned.
German fighters were committed early, some meeting the bombers 75 miles over the North Sea.
Elaborate diversions did divert some fighters.
This was 'Jim's' last flight under the command of Squadron Leader Ronnie Churcher who's 'tour' had ended, he being posted,
[page break]
Page | 16
MISSION 21
15-02-1944 BERLIN
891 Aircraft sent 561 Lancaster's (26 lost)
317 Halifax's (17 lost)
16 Mosquito's (target markers)
619 Squadron sent 20 aircraft one failed to return after crashing into the Baltic Sea.
German Controllers plotted Bombers which swung north outranging the fighters.
This ended Flight Engineer Burnside's operational flights for the next five months. Some of his activities being as follows:
29-03-1944 to 26-04-1944
Flight Engineer's Leaders Course at No.4 School of Technical Training at St. Athens.
14-04-1944
Bomber Command Instructor's School at RAF Finningley (now Robin Hood Airport)
01-06-1944
Air Sea Rescue Course at Blackpool.
30-03-1944
Was the night when Bomber Command attacked Nuremburg with 795 aircraft including 16 of 619 Squadron one of which failed to return.
Bad planning and wrong weather forecasting resulted in the loss of 96 aircraft and crews. Th highest loss of the war on one operation.
[underlined] `Jim' did not take part in this disaster. [/underlined]
MISSION 22
12-07-1944 CHALINDREY – Strategic target to the French Ardenne aiding the D-Day landings.
Flying Officer 'Jim' Burnside returned to operational duty, his first since February.
619 Squadron sent 15 Lancasters all of which returned.
[page break]
Page | 17
A letter to his Wife ended 'Goodbye' my darling.
In 'Jim's' absence 619 Squadron had moved to RAF Dunholme Lodge north of Lincoln during April.
MISSION 23
18-07-1943 REVIGNY – Again a strategic attack Railway Junctions to the District of Franche Comte, France.
263 Aircraft sent 253 Lancaster's (24 lost)
10 Mosquito's (target markers)
619 sent 18 aircraft five failed to return as follows:
One shot down by night fighter over aiming point, and three were shot down out- bound by night fighters, and another was caught by a night fighter.
Aircraft of No.5 Group (Lincolnshire) including 619 Squadron were strongly attacked by the defending fighters.
619 Squadron lost 32 aircrew on this operation.
MISSION 24
20-07-1944 COURTRA –North-East of Lille – Railway Yards.
317 Aircraft sent 302 Lancaster's (9 lost)
15 Mosquito's (target markers)
619 Squadron sent 15 aircraft all returned.
MISSION 25
23-07-1944 KIEL – Port and u-boat yards.
629 Aircraft sent 519 Lancaster's (4 Lost)
100 Halifax's
10 Mosquito's (target markers)
619 sent 12 aircraft one failed to return crashed in the sea all crew lost.
[page break]
Page | 18
MISSION 26
24-07-1944 DANGES
113 Aircraft sent 104 Lancaster's (3 lost)
9 Mosquito's (target markers)
619 sent 6 aircraft all returned.
MISSION 27
25-07-1944 STUTTGART
550 Aircraft sent 412 Lancaster's (8 lost)
138 Halifax's (2 lost)
Total of 10 aircraft lost
619 sent 14 aircraft, one failed to return crashed in France. No details for this operation.
MISSION 28
28-07-1944 STUTTGART
496 Aircraft sent 496 Lancaster's (39 lost)
2 Mosquito's (target markers)
619 Squadron sent 13 aircraft. One failed to return after crashing in Germany.
Last in a series of attacks on Stuttgart, bright moonlight aircraft were intercepted by fighters.
Stuttgart at the end of July 1944 ended 'Jim's' operational tour, his last seven being in sixteen days. His missions as a Flight Engineer into enemy territory had covered thirteen months.
On 14th August 1944 he was posted back to a heavy Conversion Unit this time at Wigsley, west of Lincoln to No.1654.
[page break]
Page | 19
[photograph]
German anti-aircraft fire and night fighters took their toll on RAF heavy bombers, and moderately/heavily damaged aircraft where repaired where possible. Here, a Lancaster from No. 1660 Conversion Unit is transported in sections to the repair shops.
Whilst at Wigsley he made only three local flights totalling three hours and thirty- five minutes. These were in Short Stirling noted for undercarriage collapse and engine fires (see later)
An incident with a Wigsley Lancaster June 1943 was when Sgt Pilot William Featherstone from Sutton in Ashfield on the last part of his training crashed his aircraft into houses on the
[photograph]
outskirts on Lincoln. Six people were killed including three children. William Featherstone lies buried in Sutton Cemetery.
Posted again on 4th November 1944, ‘Jim’ arrived at RAF Balderton south of Newark to Air Commando School (non flying)
[page break]
Page | 20
On the move again on the 29th December he reported to No.1661 Heavy Conversion Unit at RAF Winthorpe near Newark. Staying till the unit ceased to operate in July 1945, he flew only six local flights.
Promoted to Flight Lt on 27th June 1945 'Jim' Burnside's very last flight in service came on 4th July 1945 from Winthorpe flying over the ruins of German cities showing ground crew the effects of the bombing campaign. His total hours flying being 358 hours and 17 minutes.
[photograph]
CREW OF SQUADRON 619 (RAF) WHILE TRAINING IN STIRLING BOMBER MARCH 1944 RAF WINTHORPE
[page break]
Page | 21
On the 14th January 1945 a Stirling aircraft took off from RAF Winthorpe, its mission to Belfast for scrapping. Finding a crew was difficult the pilot Sqdr Leader 'Steve' Cockbain said to be suffering from war weariness and should have been taken off flying, found people reluctant to take the flight.
An engine fire on take-off with low cloud and lack of engine power condemned the Stirling to disaster. It crashed in Annesley Wood a few minutes later.
[photograph]
ANNESLEY MEMORIAL TO EH988
Its tie up with 'Jim', who with others may have watched the take off, was 'Steve' Cockbain had served alongside 'Ronnie' Churcher in 1942 under the command of Guy Gibson and the Flt Engineer 'Terry' Ball had arrived at Winthorpe from 619 Squadron.
[page break]
Page | 22
[photograph]
[italics] Professional RAF publicity photograph of S/L Ronnie Churcher
standing in front of ED977 Nulli Secundus in 1943. (Gp Capt R G Churcher) [/italics]
Sqdr Leader Ronald George Churcher, `Jims' close friend, born in 1922 entered the RAF in May 1941 and had flown a full tour in 1942 being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. When arriving at 619 Squadron he had the rank of Squadron Leader where `Jim' became his Flight Engineer.
After leaving 619 Squadron in January 1944 after a short rest he joined No. 627 Squadron at Woodhall Spa for a third tour flying Mosquito's in the target marking role for No. 617 Squadron Dambusters who's commanding officer was Leonard Cheshire.
Appointed Deputy Controller and Marker Leader on an attack on the towns Monchengladbach/Rheydt, outbound Churcher's Mosquito developed a fault. Guy Gibson took over as Master Bomber, failing to return.
`Ronnie' Churcher continued in the RAF after the war being in command of 216 Squadron at RAF Lyneham in 1958.
Promoted to Wing Commander 1st January 1959, he was further promoted on 1st January 1970 to Group Captain, commanding RAF Henlow 1973/74.
He retired from the 31st March 197 [sic] aged 55 years as Group Captain Ronald George Churcher DSO MVO DFC the MVO being a merit award given by Her Majesty the Queen.
He was said to have died some time later after being very ill.
[page break]
Page | 23
Stationed at RAF North Luffenham south west of Stamford sometime in 1945, James Gordon Bennett was released from the Service on 1st January 1946.
[photograph]
CREW PHOTO
[page break]
Page | 24
[photograph]
[page break]
[map]
[page break]
[photograph]
[page break]
[photograph]
[picture]
[photograph]
JAMES GORDON BENNETT BURNSIDE
(Lucky Jim)
A Royal Air Force Wartime Flt Engineer
[page break]
THIS MEMENTO IS DEDICATED TO TERRY AND DEBBIE JOYCE RELATIVES OF THE LATE FLT LT BURNSIDE RAF RESERVE
Produced By Rose and Malc Bryan 2011
[page break]
[underlined] SOURCES [/underlined]
‘Tim’
Bomber Command Diaries
619: The History of a Forgotten Squadron (Bryan Clark)
Personal communication and Log Book
Internet
Rose and Malc Bryan own publications
[page break]
[underlined] INDEX [/underlined]
PAGE 1. Family Background
PAGE 6. War Service and Post War
[page break]
Page | 1
[underlined] JAMES GORDON BENNETT BURNSIDE 1909 – 1992 [/underlined]
[underlined] PART 1. FAMILY BACKGROUND [/underlined]
Born in Hendon on 3rd June 1909 James Gordon Bennett Burnside was one of six Children born to John Bennett Burnside and his wife Laura Emily (nee Smallwood).
The children were three boys, James, John Percy Stuart and Pax Aubrey, plus three girls Betty Christina and twins Molly and Peggy.
[underlined] James [/underlined] – Who’s story this is.
[underlined] John Percy Stuart [/underlined]
[photograph]
Born 1911 – Joined the Sherwood Forester Regiment in 1931 serving in India, Khartoum etc, before losing his life on the Anzio Beach head on the 4th April 1944
[underlined] Pax Aubrey [/underlined]
Born in June 1919 married Teema Swain in Manchester 1948. Passed away February 2001. His photograph appears to show him in RAF inform [sic] but no information or evidence was found to confirm his service.
[photograph]
Stuart and Pax
[page break]
Page | 2
[underlined] Betty Christina [/underlined]
[photograph]
Born July 1914 in Hendon. Married Leslie F Taylor 1939.
Died 2008 aged 94
[photograph]
94th Birthday party
[underlined] Molly [/underlined]
Born in Hendon June 1916. Married Thomas A. Derwent 1940.
[underlined] Peggy [/underlined]
Molly’s twin. Married Thomas Percy Hough 1940. Passed away 30th October 2003.
[page break]
Page | 3
[underlined] FAMILY PHOTOS [/underlined]
[photograph]
MABLETHORPE APPROX 1920
[photograph]
BETTY AND DAD AND THE FAMILY CAR
[photograph]
FAMILY HOME AT CHEADLE
[page break]
Page | 4
[photograph]
STANDING (L TO R) PEGGY, GORDON, MOLLY, STUART, BETTY
SITTING – LAURA, PAX, JOHN BURNSIDE
[photograph]
PAX AUBREY AND TEEMA SWAIN WEDDING 1948
[page break]
Page | 5
Their father John Bennett Burnside was one of three children in an ill fated family.
Born in Glasgow on 2nd December 1881 he had an elder brother James and an elder sister Elizabeth both will [sic] to die young.
James born in October 1887 died in 1892 of meningitis and Elizabeth born 1879 died when only nine months old.
John Bennett and James became orphaned in 1884 when their mother Christina (nee Bennett) died in child birth. The baby also died in January compounded by their father James dying in July of the same year.
The two brothers in 1889 were sponsored by their father’s work company and sent to Pinner in London to the Royal Commercial Travellers School where they received their education.
Marrying Laura Emily Smallwood in July 1908 John Bennett Burnside, a commercial traveller/draper moved around the country spending time in Leeds, Lanarkshire and Cheshire.
[photograph]
During the Great War he served with an Artillery Unit as a driver.
Working in Cheshire as a Food Officers clerk he died on the 14th Mach [sic] 1945 at the age of sixty-four years.
His wife Laura Emily born in London in 1885 was one of three boys and two girls born to Richard Henry Smallwood and his wife Emily Elizabeth (nee Read).
Laura Emily died August 1948 in Stockport.
[page break]
Page | 6
Underlined] PART 2. WAR SERVICE [/underlined]
[underlined] 155209 FLYING OFFICER JAMES GORDON BENNETT BURNSIDE [/underlined]
[drawing]
AVRO LANCASTER OF 619 SQUADRON
Entered the Royal Air Force as a Leading aircraftsman probably sometime in 1941, qualified as a Pilot Officer Flt Engineer, 16th December 1942 at St Athan's in Wales.
In April 1943 Burnside was posted prior to an operational squadron, to No. 1660 Heavy Conversion Unit at RAF Swinderby half way between Newark and Lincoln to experience flying heavy bombers.
On the 28th April 1943 'Jim' was posted to the newly formed 619 Squadron flying Lancaster Bombers at Woodhall Spa approximately fifteen miles north of Boston.
After localised flying on training exercises on 7th June 1943 his crew under the command of Sqdr. Leader Ronnie Churcher received their own operational aircraft, Lancaster ED977 code PG-A Apple.
A letter to his wife stated ED977 given the name 'Nulli Secundus' with all the crew agreement a bomb sign signifying a mission would not be painted on its nose but a beer tankard would be.
Not yet flown a mission his letters at this time were of sanguineness with a signing off quote of 'Lucky Jim'.
The 11th June 1943 saw Flt. Lt Burnside and crew on the crew list for their first operation.
Called a 'tour' in RAF parlance this consisted of completing thirty bombing missions (if you were lucky) before being sent for a 'rest' to either a training or Heavy Conversion Unit.
[page break]
Page | 7
Judging by the number of crashes at these types of units it was no easy option you were given by the powers that be.
Some pre-war aircrew in at the beginning are known to have completed over one hundred bombing operations (fortunate indeed)
Flying as Flight Engineer meant monitoring instruments and being responsible for the aircrafts fuel consumption. It also meant in an emergency possibly flying the Lancaster.
The sequence of bombing operations undertaken by Flying Officer Burnside and crew were as followers [sic]:
MISSION 1
11-06-1943 DUSSELDORF – the heart of the German Ruhr.
783 Aircraft sent 326 Lancaster's (14 lost)
202 Halifax's (12 lost)
143 Wellingtons (10 lost)
99 Stirling's (2 lost)
Total of 38 Aircraft lost
13 Mosquito’s (target markers)
619 Squadron sent 12, one failed to return.
MISSION 2
12-06-1943 BOCHUM
503 Aircraft sent 323 Lancaster's (14 lost)
167 Halifax's (10 Lost)
Total of 24 Aircraft lost
11 Mosquito’s (target markers)
619 Squadron sent six all returned
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MISSION 3
14-06-1943 OBERHAUSEN
203 Aircraft sent 197 Lancaster's (17 lost)
6 Mosquito's (target markers)
619 Squadron sent six, one failed to return shot down by night fighter.
A letter to his wife this day indicated the business of the coming day.
MISSION 4
21-06-1943 KREFELD
705 Aircraft sent 262 Lancaster's (91 lost)
209 Halifax's (17 lost)
117 Stirling's (9 lost)
105 Wellington's (9 lost)
Total 44 aircraft lost
12 Mosquito's (target markers)
619 Squadron sent 7 aircraft one failed to return crashed in Holland.
A cloudless night – the German fighters were very active.
35 Squadron sent 19 aircraft 6 failed to return.
Dates indicate 'Jim' Burnside did not fly on operations for a further five weeks.
MISSION 5
29-07-1943 HAMBURG
777 Aircraft sent 340 Lancaster's (11 lost)
244 Halifax's (11 lost)
119 Stirling's (4 lost)
70 Wellington's (2 lost)
Total 28 aircraft lost.
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4 Mosquito's (target markers)
619 Squadron sent 12 aircraft all returned.
Second raid on Hamburg following one two nights earlier.
Misjudgement of target caused fire storm in residential areas (mainly of wooden construction) 40,000 people perished.
[619 squadron badge]
MISSION 6
02-08-1943 HAMBURG
740 Aircraft sent 309 Lancaster's (13 lost)
235 Halifax’s (10 lost)
105 Stirling's (3 lost)
66 Wellington's (4 lost)
Total of 30 Aircraft lost
5 Mosquito's (target markers)
619 Squadron sent 14 aircraft and all returned.
Thunderstorms over Germany scattered the aircraft some turned back, others became lost.
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MISSION 7
07-08-1943 MILAN
197 Lancaster's (2 lost)
619 Squadron sent 10 aircraft all returned.
This was politically ordered operation to attack Milan. Turin and Genoa.
Prior to this day a letter to his wife ends with `Goodbye Darling’ Significant?
MISSION 8
09-08-1943 MANNHEIM
457 Aircraft sent 286 Lancaster's (3 lost)
171 Halifax's (6 lost)
619 Squadron sent 14 aircraft all returned.
His letter on this day states change in crew members due to postings.
MISSION 9
15-08-1943 MILAN
140 Lancaster's (1 lost)
619 Squadron all aircraft sent returned.
MISSION 10
23-08-1943 BERLIN
727 Aircraft sent 335 Lancaster's (17 lost)
251 Halifax's (23 lost)
124 Stirling's (16 lost)
17 Mosquito's (target markers)
619 Squadron sent 10 aircraft, one failed to return crashed on beach north of Kiel.
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MISSION 11
31-08-1943 BERLIN
622 Aircraft sent 331 Lancaster's (10 lost)
176 Halifax's (20 lost)
106 Stirling's(17 lost)
9 Mosquito's (target markers)
619 Squadron sent 13 aircraft 2 of which failed to return. (1) Crashed outbound
(1) Victim of night fighter
Flares dropped by German aircraft marked the bombers route. Two thirds of losses fell to fighters over and near Berlin.
Cloud and faults in marking equipment plus ferocity of fighters caused bombing over wide area away from target.
MISSION 12
17-09-1943 ANTHEOR VIADUCT – Cannes to Italy coastal railway.
12 Aircraft sent 12 Lancaster's (1 lost)
617 sent 8 Lancaster's with no losses
619 sent 4 with a loss of one which ditched off Portugal crew interned.
Joint operation, with No 617 Dambusters for which crews were specially selected (later in the war 617 and 619 where [sic] to work closely together on vital targets i.e. Brest Submarine Pens, Tirpitz Battleship etc.
Two days prior to this operation. 617 Squadron had lost five aircraft on an attack at Ladbergen in the north Rhine area, targeting the Dortmund – Elm Canal. The crew included the new Commanding Officer, Guy Gibson's Dambuster crew and Les Knight another of the Dambusters. Gibson himself was to die when crashing a target marking Mosquito in Holland in September 1944.
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MISSION 13
01-10-1943 HAGEN Submarine parts factory.
251 Aircraft sent 243 Lancaster's (1 lost)
8 Mosquito's (target markers)
619 Squadron sent 12 1 failed to return crashed in the Bristol Channel all crew were killed.
MISSION 14
08-10-1943 HANOVER
504 Aircraft sent 282 Lancaster's (14 lost)
188 Halifax's (13 lost)
26 Wellington's
Total of 27 Aircraft loss
8 Mosquito's (target markers)
619 Squadron sent 8 aircraft one of which wrecked on take-off with no crew injuries, all other aircraft returned.
MISSION 15
03-11-1943 DUSSELDORF
589 Aircraft sent 344 Lancaster's (11 lost)
233 Halifax's (7 lost)
Total of 18 Aircraft lost
619 Squadron sent 15 aircraft all returned.
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MISSION 16
18-11-1943 BERLIN
This marked the beginning of what became known as the 'Battle of Berlin'.
Totalling nineteen operations dated from 18th November 1943, ending on the night of 31st March 1944.
These attacks cost the Royal Air Force Bomber Command 607 aircraft and 3,347 aircrew not including ditching, crashes on home soil or internments.
444 Aircraft sent 440 Lancaster's (9 lost)
4 Mosquito's (target markers)
619 Squadron sent 19 aircraft all of which returned.
From this period Germany developed new fight tactics in which fighters would approach in the blind spot beneath the bomber before firing upwards.
This caused withdrawal of the Stirling bomber and much Bomber Command concern and re-thinking.
MISSION 17
23-11-1943 BERLIN
764 Aircraft sent 469 Lancaster's (11 lost)
234 Halifax's (10 lost)
50 Stirling's (5 lost)
Total of 26 Aircraft lost
11 Mosquito's (target marking)
619 Squadron sent 16 aircraft with no losses.
This night German fighters were generally grounded by bad weather.
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[photograph]
MISSION 18
16-12-1943 BERLIN
493 Aircraft sent 483 Lancaster's (25 lost)
10 Mosquito's (target marking)
619 Squadron sent 15 aircraft of which 2 failed to return, one crashed in Germany and the other was posted missing.
Another Lancaster was shot-up and badly damaged by a night fighter when outbound.
Carrying out its task it struggled home before crash landing at base.
The crew were commended for bravery.
German controllers plotted route of bombers then being met by fighters. Others were guided to the scene, others waiting over target.
On return to England low cloud over bases caused 30 more Lancaster's to either crash or be abandoned. 148 aircrew were lost including 6 in the North Sea and 39 seriously injured.
No 97 Squadron at Coningsby lost 8 aircraft this night, seven on home soil.
27-12-1943 `Jim' was promoted to Flying Officer.
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MISSION 19
01-01-1944 BERLIN
421 Aircraft sent 421 Lancaster's (28 lost)
619 Squadron sent 14 aircraft all returned.
A feint by Mosquitos to Hamburg failed to deceive German Controllers, once again fighters met the Lancasters.
Not much of a welcome to the New Year
06-01-1944
Flown by another crew Lancaster ED977 'Nulli Secundus' failed to return from a [sic] operation to Stettin.
09-01-1944
619 Squadron moved from Woodhall Spa four miles south to RAF Coningsby (now the home of the Eurofighter) in exchange with 617 Dambusters Squadron.
MISSION 20
27-01-1944 BERLIN
530 Aircraft sent 515 Lancaster's (33 lost)
15 Mosquito's (target marker)
619 Squadron sent 14 aircraft all returned.
German fighters were committed early, some meeting the bombers 75 miles over the North Sea.
Elaborate diversions did divert some fighters.
This was 'Jim's' last flight under the command of Squadron Leader Ronnie Churcher who's 'tour' had ended, he being posted,
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MISSION 21
15-02-1944 BERLIN
891 Aircraft sent 561 Lancaster's (26 lost)
317 Halifax's (17 lost)
16 Mosquito's (target markers)
619 Squadron sent 20 aircraft one failed to return after crashing into the Baltic Sea.
German Controllers plotted Bombers which swung north outranging the fighters.
This ended Flight Engineer Burnside's operational flights for the next five months. Some of his activities being as follows:
29-03-1944 to 26-04-1944
Flight Engineer's Leaders Course at No.4 School of Technical Training at St. Athens.
14-04-1944
Bomber Command Instructor's School at RAF Finningley (now Robin Hood Airport)
01-06-1944
Air Sea Rescue Course at Blackpool.
30-03-1944
Was the night when Bomber Command attacked Nuremburg with 795 aircraft including 16 of 619 Squadron one of which failed to return.
Bad planning and wrong weather forecasting resulted in the loss of 96 aircraft and crews. Th highest loss of the war on one operation.
[underlined] `Jim' did not take part in this disaster. [/underlined]
MISSION 22
12-07-1944 CHALINDREY – Strategic target to the French Ardenne aiding the D-Day landings.
Flying Officer 'Jim' Burnside returned to operational duty, his first since February.
619 Squadron sent 15 Lancasters all of which returned.
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A letter to his Wife ended 'Goodbye' my darling.
In 'Jim's' absence 619 Squadron had moved to RAF Dunholme Lodge north of Lincoln during April.
MISSION 23
18-07-1943 REVIGNY – Again a strategic attack Railway Junctions to the District of Franche Comte, France.
263 Aircraft sent 253 Lancaster's (24 lost)
10 Mosquito's (target markers)
619 sent 18 aircraft five failed to return as follows:
One shot down by night fighter over aiming point, and three were shot down out- bound by night fighters, and another was caught by a night fighter.
Aircraft of No.5 Group (Lincolnshire) including 619 Squadron were strongly attacked by the defending fighters.
619 Squadron lost 32 aircrew on this operation.
MISSION 24
20-07-1944 COURTRA –North-East of Lille – Railway Yards.
317 Aircraft sent 302 Lancaster's (9 lost)
15 Mosquito's (target markers)
619 Squadron sent 15 aircraft all returned.
MISSION 25
23-07-1944 KIEL – Port and u-boat yards.
629 Aircraft sent 519 Lancaster's (4 Lost)
100 Halifax's
10 Mosquito's (target markers)
619 sent 12 aircraft one failed to return crashed in the sea all crew lost.
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MISSION 26
24-07-1944 DANGES
113 Aircraft sent 104 Lancaster's (3 lost)
9 Mosquito's (target markers)
619 sent 6 aircraft all returned.
MISSION 27
25-07-1944 STUTTGART
550 Aircraft sent 412 Lancaster's (8 lost)
138 Halifax's (2 lost)
Total of 10 aircraft lost
619 sent 14 aircraft, one failed to return crashed in France. No details for this operation.
MISSION 28
28-07-1944 STUTTGART
496 Aircraft sent 496 Lancaster's (39 lost)
2 Mosquito's (target markers)
619 Squadron sent 13 aircraft. One failed to return after crashing in Germany.
Last in a series of attacks on Stuttgart, bright moonlight aircraft were intercepted by fighters.
Stuttgart at the end of July 1944 ended 'Jim's' operational tour, his last seven being in sixteen days. His missions as a Flight Engineer into enemy territory had covered thirteen months.
On 14th August 1944 he was posted back to a heavy Conversion Unit this time at Wigsley, west of Lincoln to No.1654.
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[photograph]
German anti-aircraft fire and night fighters took their toll on RAF heavy bombers, and moderately/heavily damaged aircraft where repaired where possible. Here, a Lancaster from No. 1660 Conversion Unit is transported in sections to the repair shops.
Whilst at Wigsley he made only three local flights totalling three hours and thirty- five minutes. These were in Short Stirling noted for undercarriage collapse and engine fires (see later)
An incident with a Wigsley Lancaster June 1943 was when Sgt Pilot William Featherstone from Sutton in Ashfield on the last part of his training crashed his aircraft into houses on the
[photograph]
outskirts on Lincoln. Six people were killed including three children. William Featherstone lies buried in Sutton Cemetery.
Posted again on 4th November 1944, ‘Jim’ arrived at RAF Balderton south of Newark to Air Commando School (non flying)
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On the move again on the 29th December he reported to No.1661 Heavy Conversion Unit at RAF Winthorpe near Newark. Staying till the unit ceased to operate in July 1945, he flew only six local flights.
Promoted to Flight Lt on 27th June 1945 'Jim' Burnside's very last flight in service came on 4th July 1945 from Winthorpe flying over the ruins of German cities showing ground crew the effects of the bombing campaign. His total hours flying being 358 hours and 17 minutes.
[photograph]
CREW OF SQUADRON 619 (RAF) WHILE TRAINING IN STIRLING BOMBER MARCH 1944 RAF WINTHORPE
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On the 14th January 1945 a Stirling aircraft took off from RAF Winthorpe, its mission to Belfast for scrapping. Finding a crew was difficult the pilot Sqdr Leader 'Steve' Cockbain said to be suffering from war weariness and should have been taken off flying, found people reluctant to take the flight.
An engine fire on take-off with low cloud and lack of engine power condemned the Stirling to disaster. It crashed in Annesley Wood a few minutes later.
[photograph]
ANNESLEY MEMORIAL TO EH988
Its tie up with 'Jim', who with others may have watched the take off, was 'Steve' Cockbain had served alongside 'Ronnie' Churcher in 1942 under the command of Guy Gibson and the Flt Engineer 'Terry' Ball had arrived at Winthorpe from 619 Squadron.
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[photograph]
[italics] Professional RAF publicity photograph of S/L Ronnie Churcher
standing in front of ED977 Nulli Secundus in 1943. (Gp Capt R G Churcher) [/italics]
Sqdr Leader Ronald George Churcher, `Jims' close friend, born in 1922 entered the RAF in May 1941 and had flown a full tour in 1942 being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. When arriving at 619 Squadron he had the rank of Squadron Leader where `Jim' became his Flight Engineer.
After leaving 619 Squadron in January 1944 after a short rest he joined No. 627 Squadron at Woodhall Spa for a third tour flying Mosquito's in the target marking role for No. 617 Squadron Dambusters who's commanding officer was Leonard Cheshire.
Appointed Deputy Controller and Marker Leader on an attack on the towns Monchengladbach/Rheydt, outbound Churcher's Mosquito developed a fault. Guy Gibson took over as Master Bomber, failing to return.
`Ronnie' Churcher continued in the RAF after the war being in command of 216 Squadron at RAF Lyneham in 1958.
Promoted to Wing Commander 1st January 1959, he was further promoted on 1st January 1970 to Group Captain, commanding RAF Henlow 1973/74.
He retired from the 31st March 197 [sic] aged 55 years as Group Captain Ronald George Churcher DSO MVO DFC the MVO being a merit award given by Her Majesty the Queen.
He was said to have died some time later after being very ill.
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Stationed at RAF North Luffenham south west of Stamford sometime in 1945, James Gordon Bennett was released from the Service on 1st January 1946.
[photograph]
CREW PHOTO
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Collection
Citation
R and M Bryan, “James Gordon Bennet (Lucky Jim) Burnside - biography,” IBCC Digital Archive, accessed December 12, 2024, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/document/37845.
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