REDFERN, Elijah Reginald. PM. WW2. CWGC.
Died 12/02/1943 Age 23. Leading Aircraftman, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Service Number 938010. Son of Elijah and Hannah Redfern, of Derby.
Elijah Reginald Redfern was born on 10th Feb 1920, the only son of Elijah Redfern and his wife Hannah Parker, living at 7 Parker Place, Parker Street, Derby. He had one older sister Edna May Redfern (1914 – 1977).
Elijah Reginald attended Kedleston Road School, Derby, where he was School Captain for two years.
By the 1939 General Registration conducted on the 21st of September, Elijah with his mother and father were living at 1 Kedleston St, Derby. Elijah’s occupation was registered as an Electrical Wireman’s Assistant employed by Derby Corporation Electricity Department.
Later in 1939, he joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserves, Service number 938010 as an Electrician. He joined Squadron 1660 Heavy Conversion Unit (HCU) based at Swinderby, Lincolnshire.
Squadron 1660 HCU, Swinderby, was operating as a training facility for aircrew converting to heavy 4 engined bombers.
On the morning of 12th February 1943, Aircraft Avro Lancaster 1, serial number R5676, took off from Swinderby Airfield. Elijah Reginald Redfern was performing the duties of Air Gunner. At 10:05 hours, the aircraft broke up in flight, the starboard wing being the first to fail and crashed at Oldfield’s Farm, Sturton by Stow, 8 miles Northwest of Lincoln. There were no survivors from the 8 crew members.
Elijah Reginald Redfern was returned to his family in Derby. He is buried in Nottingham Road Cemetery, Section F. Grave 2442.
Oldfield’s Farm is now known as Lancaster Farm and is owned by Jacqueline Gorman. Following research into the history of the Farm, Jacqueline commissioned a Plaque and Metal Memorial (in the shape of a Lancaster, made by her son John). The plaque and memorial were erected in 2001.
Lancaster Farm. Sturton by Stow - Lancaster Farm
Bomber Command Losses Database. https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/119453/
War Memorial Trust - Lincolnshire Roll Of Honour. Roll of Honour - Lincolnshire - Sturton by Stow, Lancaster Farm
