Sidney, who was part of an airfield defence unit, was a passenger in Lancaster Bomber LL826 [BQ-H] of 550 Squadron which took off from RAF North Killingholme on a night raid to bomb a military camp at Mailly-le-Camp in north-central France.

Due to technical issues the chain of command on this raid failed to work correctly. Wing Commander Leonard Cheshire, VC, [Marker Leader] reported success in his marking of the target to the Master Bomber, who in turn was unable to call in the main bomber force for the attack. His VHF radio was tuned incorrectly and was also being drowned out by an American forces broadcast.  The Deputy Controller stepped in but the delay caused several of the bombers to be picked off by Luftwaffe night-fighters.

Despite the initial difficulties the mission was deemed to be highly accurate with approximately 1,500 tons of bombs being dropped on the target with extensive damage to barracks, engine sheds, ammunition stores and vehicles.  Lancaster BQ-H with Sidney on board was shot down while orbiting a route marker north of the aiming point and crashed at Cheniers, France on Wednesday 3^rd May 1944. He lies buried alongside his RAF crew at Cheniers Churchyard, France. Sidney was 38 years old at the time of his death.

Son of Alfred Whipp & Mary Whipp of Oldham, Lancashire.

A copy of this story is availabale for download here.

See also the Commonwealth War Graves Commission permanent digital memorial, ‘Evermore: Stories of the fallen’ relating to:-
Major Sidney WHIPP