Age: 21
John Swannell and the rest of his crew are remembered on the Runnymede memorial as no trace was found of them. After the war, a missing Research and Enquiry Service, No 4 Unit carried out an investigation into the crash near Kiel, of John and crew and also another Lancaster and crew. It exploded in the Gemeinde Brodershof at 23.10 hours with all bombs on board leaving a huge crater filled with water at least 20 feet deep. .Not many remains that could identify either crews or planes were to be found. The remains are in Kiel Garrison Cemetery - "Unknown English airmen" buried 30th Aug 1944, Plot X1 Grave 122, later removed to the Kiel british Military Cemetery, Grave No 7, Row J, Plot 3. The crash site, owned by a farmer, has been grassed over and is apparently a very peaceful place.
John William SWANNELL |
Flight Sergeant SWANNELL, JOHN WILLIAM/ https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2081387
Service Number 1339960 Died 27/08/1944 Aged 21 115 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Son of John and Violet Constance Swannell, of Hastings, Sussex.
Jun Qtr 1923 Hastings 2b 38 - mother's maiden name THORNTON/ www.findmypast.co.uk
Shot down over Keil Harbour, Germany aged 21
John William SWANNELL of 24 Braybrooke Road Hastings died 27 August 1944 on war service Administration Lewes 4 December to John SWANNELL omnibus employee. Effects £284.7s.5d/ www.ancestry.co.uk