AR banner
Search Tips Advanced Search
Back to Top
List of Aviator Losses  •  
Table of Contents  •  
ArchiveDatabase  •  

1942-10-26 The loss of Rob van Woerkom

Crash site: Irish Sea off West Kirby or 26 miles off Douglas Head, Isle of Man

Crash cause: engine failure

Name

Woerkom, Robert John van

Dutch RAF aviator datasheet

Rank

Korp Vltg Telegr, Cpl.

Stb.Nr. 20467

Decorations

None known

Born

19/9/1920

Place

's-Gravenhage

Squadron

RAF 320 (Dutch) Sqn Coastal Command

Ops/hr

Aircraft

Hudson Mk. I Nr. N7302 NO-Y

Base

RAF Bircham Newton, Norfolk, GB

Mission

Training

Status

MIA, aircraft ditched after engine failure

age

22

Missing

26/10/1942

Place

Irish Sea off West Kirby or 26 miles off Douglas Head, Isle of Man

Known to

OGS

yes

CWGC

no

Other crew

2. A.A.J. van Amsterdam - rescued

3. A. Hamelink - rescued

4. N.J. van Lessen - rescued

5. G. van der Wolf - rescued

Memorial

Soesterberg

yes

Memorial

Other

yes

Bircham Newton General Memorial

GB arrival

Remarks

Data confusion

MLD: ditched 26 miles off Douglas Head, Isle of Man

De Haan: N3702, ditched Irish Sea off West Kirby

These indications are both inaccurate, and difficult to reconcile, see map

The four surviving crew members were rescued on 27/10/1942, 06.00 hours, by coaster 'Conister'. Van Amsterdam and Hamelink would not survive the War.

At the back, left to right: E. Hoenson, J. Sluyter and J. Dekker. Front row: H.A.I. Geraerts, J.W.F. de Vos and R. van Woerkom. Photo probably 1943. Source: @St.M.Vl.P. 1939-50


The crash site indication 'off West Kirby' places the site close to the English shore. The indication '26 miles off Douglas Head' places the site in the midst of the Irish Sea.

List of Aviator Losses  •  
Table of Contents  •  
Database  •  
Next Chapter

  You can show you value this content by offering your dedicated research team a coffee!  
You can lay a wreath on this page to show your respect in an everlasting way.
Add us to your address book. Click here
(To translate into English, first select another language from the drop-down menu, THEN you can select English at the top of the drop-down menu.)

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon

All site material (except as noted elsewhere) is owned or managed by Aircrew Remembered and should not be used without prior permission.
© 2012 - 2024 Aircrew Remembered Last Modified: 09 April 2021, 11:15

If you would like to comment on this page, please do so via our Helpdesk. Use the Submit a Ticket option to send your comments. After review, our Editors will publish your comment below with your first name, but not your email address.

A word from the Editor: your contribution is important. We welcome your comments and information. Thanks in advance.