WWII: ATC cadets trophy will keep lost airmans name alive

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More than 60 years ago, a young pilot officer was killed when his aircraft crashed during the Second World War. Last week a cup in his memory was presented to some young air cadets by the brother of the lost airman after the details of his life and death were unearthed by the discovery of a mysterious memorial plaque. Sue Williams reports.

A GROUP of young ATC cadets were flying high last week after being awarded a cup for collecting the most money during Wings Week for their branch.

Duffield ATC 620 Squadron is one of five squadrons attached to the Erewash branch of the RAF Association, which, with the cadets’ help, managed to raise more than £12,500 for RAFA charities.

The presentation at the Risley Park Hotel, Risley, was a special occasion for more than one reason.

The cup, which Cadet Ellen Foster, 15, accepted on behalf of the Squadron, had an unusual significance.

It was presented by Philip Thorp and his sister, Joan Bowley, in memory of their brother, Pilot Officer Arthur Thorp, who was killed, aged 20, when his Halifax bomber was shot down during a night raid over Germany in October 1943.

Some years ago, Michael Wheatley, a member of the Erewash RAFA, had come across a plaque in the local British Legion with the words “In memoriam, Pilot Officer Athur Thorpe, 3rd Oct, 1943, RAFVR” inscribed upon it.

At the time, he knew nothing about the young pilot commemorated but wanted to find out more so that he could use the plaque as a trophy for the branch’s ATC Squadrons.

So he asked for Bygones’ help and within an incredibly short time, we had uncovered the full, tragic story of PO Arthur Thorp’s untimely death.

Arthur was apparently a pilot officer with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, serving with 76 Squadron, flying Halifax bombers from an airbase at Holme-on-Spalding-Moor, between Hull and York.

On the night of October 3, 1943, he was sent on an operation to Kassel, Germany, but his aircraft was shot down and crashed at Leistrop, near Detmold. Arthur was killed instantly and was buried in Hanover war cemetery.

Michael’s research had drawn a blank because Arthur’s name was misspelt with an ‘e’ on the end of Thorp.

Bygones’ appeal for information also revealed that Arthur had a brother, Philip Thorp, living at Thorpe near Ashbourne, and a sister, Joan Bowley, of Woodthorpe, Nottingham.

Philip had already done some research into his brother’s death but was curious to see the plaque, so Michael Wheatley went to see him.

“Michael very kindly presented the plaque to me,” said Philip, “so in exchange, I said I would give a cup to the RAFA to be used as a trophy.”

The Arthur Thorp cup was presented for the first time last week and Philip and Joan were invited to do the honours.

Said Philip: “It was quite a moving occasion. It’s a long time since my brother was killed but Michael gave a very nice talk about his career and, even after all this time, it brought a lump to my throat.”

Ray Noble, chairman of the Erewash RAFA, said: “It has worked out well for everyone. Philip has a memento of his brother and, thanks to him, we now have a very nice cup which will be presented every year.

“The branch did very well with its Wings Week collection this year, gathering more than £12,500 with the cadets’ help. The money will go to respite homes for ex-servicemen and their families. I think the cup is a very fitting trophy.”

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