In Memory of

Jack Greenwood

Shot down and killed over Germany, 16^th April 1943

I am indebted to Martyn Ford Jones, XV Squadron's official Historian, who viewed this website and informed Jack's daughter, Mrs June Watkins of the article about Wartime Airfields and the Stirling crew that were lost. Mrs Watkins contacted me with further information about her father.

Mrs Watkins's letter to me:-

Further to our telephone conversation concerning the article "History of Bourn Airfield", which appears on the Bourn Village Internet site. (this page is on the website of The Rural Flying Corps not the Bourn Village website – P. Rowell)

Whilst I am truly grateful that you have cleared up a mystery as to why my Father Jack Greenwood did not take the flight that killed his comrades. I am certain he would have felt the medical officer that grounded him for a poisoned finger was over reacting and naturally he would have been extremely upset when the aircraft failed to return, if he thought his replacement was not as experienced as himself, particularly if he was aware that Pilot Officer Monteith had tried for nearly half an hour to evade the nightfighter which shot him down into the sea. All this information I have, courtesey of Martyn Ford Jones who is XV Squadron's official Historian – it was he who alerted me as to the content of this site and felt that it ought to be corrected. For myself, I am glad he missed the flight as he would then have had no known grave.

I enclose part of the operations sheets that shows that my Father uncannily took another gunner's place with an established crew and flew another SIX MISSIONS FROM BOURN he then transferred to Mildenhall on 15^th April 1943. Unfortunately his first flight from there on the very next day was his last, as he too was shot down over Germany. I managed to track down the only survivor from that crash and visit my Father's grave in Rheinberg. I was extremely fortunate to read Martyn's first book and contacted him – he has been a mine of information and through him I have attended the Squadron's reunions AND VISITED THE CRASH SITE – I feel he has helped me, and a lot of others in my position immeasurably.

I would like the article amended to reflect the true situation – my only remaining relative who knew my father was indignant that his character was in question, as the Jack she knew was fearless.(I am truly sorry if my words gave that impression, it was never intended and I would never question the character of any combat aircrew – P. Rowell)

Thank you for writing the article and putting another piece of the jigsaw of my Father's life in place, I too have that photo and often wondered about why my Father did not have a parachute on.

Yours sincerely,

June Watkins (Nee Greenwood)