WILLIAM SIDNEY PLANT
From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730
As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570
Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.
Photograph and information courtesy of Shaun Norton.
Born: 1915, Ipswich.
Died: 20th December 1940; age 25 – Missing on raid to Lorient – Shot down by flak.
Residence: 27, Cecil Road, Ipswich.
Rank: Sergeant/Wireless Operator/Air Gunner; Service Number: 620004.
Regiment: Royal Air Force, 217 Squadron.
Grave Reference:
Collective Grave 1-2.
Morbihan,
France.
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of William Alexander & Elizabeth Hilda Plant, of Ipswich.
Father: William Alexander Plant, born October 1886, Heston, Middlesex.
Mother: Elizabeth Hilda Plant (nee Mallitt), born February 1889, Ipswich.
CENSUS
1921 27, Edgar Street, Ipswich.
William was 5 years & 9 months old. He attended School and lived with his parents and sister.
William Plant, 34 years & 7 months old, a Foundry Ironwork Trimmer for Messrs. Cocksedge – Engineers, of Grey Frairs Road, Ipswich.
Elizabeth Plant, 32 years & 4 months old, Home Duties.
Norah Mary Plant, 16 months old, born Ipswich.
20th December 1940
Aircraft: Bristol Beaufort Mk 1; Serial number: L4474; Departed from St. Eval, Cornwall, for a bombing raid on the U-boat bases at Brest and Lorient. L4474 came under very heavy flak gun attack. The aircraft was hit, causing its bomb load to explode, bringing the aircraft down onto the main roads in Lanester, Brittany.
Crew:
Nelson Henry Webb; Pilot Officer/Pilot; age 23; R.A.F.V.R.
Charles Maurice Tiplady; Sergeant/Pilot/Air Observer; age: 21; R.A.F.V.R.
Peter Milligan; Sergeant/Wireless Operator/Air Gunner; age: 23; R.A.F.V.R.
Funeral took place for the airmen on Sunday, 21st December 1940.
A family note:
“I have today visited the communal grave of my uncle William Sidney PLANT and paid my respects. My mother, William’s sister Dorothy Hilda, always spoke of wanting to visit her brother’s resting place, but did not achieve this in her lifetime. Hopefully, I will also have made her happy. R.I.P. Uncle William, I heard so much about you but never had the pleasure of meeting you.”
Trevor Gibbs 27/02/2018
2 Comments
I have today visited the communal grave of my uncle William Sidney PLANT and paid my respects. My mother William’s sister Dorothy Hilda, always spoke of wanting to visit her brother’s resting place but did not achieve this in her lifetime. Hopefully, I will also have made her happy. R.I.P. Uncle William, I heard so much about you but never had the pleasure of meeting you. Trevor
Trevor,
I’m Happy to know someone from the family has been over to France to visit Williams resting place I have never been that far down but I regularly visit my father’s grave in Normandy.
R I P Uncle William
Barry Norton