HANNATH, Eric

649545, Flight Sergeant, Wireless Operator/Air Gunner, R.A.F., 15 OTU

Born 1918 in Grimsby

Died 12/07/1942, Age 23, at RAF Station Harwell, Berks (registered Wantage, Berkshire)

Buried 16/07/1942

Son of Leonard and Mary Hannath of Cleethorpes

Brother of Lena, Peggy, Edwin, John, Mary, Charles, George, Roy, Brenda, June, Leslie and Frank

Husband of Betty Hannath (nee Hotson), married 1942 in Cleethorpes

Address: 9 Hey Street, Cleethorpes

15 OTU was formed in August 1940 as part of No. 6 group RAF Bomber Command at RAF Harwell to train night bomber crews on the Vickers Wellington.

A Royal Australian Air Force report describes the incident in which Eric Hannath died

“Wellington DV739 took off from RAF Harwell at 1625 hours on 12th July 1942, and the aircraft crashed almost immediately when the port engine cut. DV739 crashed one mile west of Downs House, Wantage”.

Also killed was FO Alan James Leslie, Captain (Pilot Instructor) of the Royal Australian Airforce, whilst AC1 W. Morgan was injured in the crash.