Looking for family of Clinton-Wapella WWII deceased airman, killed in Northern Ireland, UK, during the Second World War. (Montgomery: best)

[langford_historian1984]

Hi folks,

Something from across the pond here for you all, but with a link to Clinton, Ilinois.

My friend and I, Alfie Montgomery, from Northern Ireland, in the U.k. Have been investigating and researching the crash of an American B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft and its crew here for many years. The aircraft crashed into Cave Hill, in the city of Belfast, in Northern Ireland, on 1st June 1944, during the second world war, sadly with the loss of all the crew onboard.

In the post war years we have both visited the crash site many times, which is in woodland, close to the city. We have also researched the ten men onboard over the years, one of which was the Flight Engineer, Staff Sergeant, Wilbur D. Brewer. S.Sgt. Brewer was from Clinton, but also resided at one time and had family in Wapella, Illinois.

His remains were initially interred at the local American cemetery close to Belfast but in the post war years, were repatriated at the request of his family for interment at Memorial Park Cemetery, in Clinton.
Sadly during his training, Wilbur's mother, father and his wife, were all killed, due to an automoblile accident. They were travelling back to Clinton from Kansas, when they were involved in a head on collision, they had just been to visit Wilbur at his assigned station.

We filmed a small documentary about Wilburs crash back during May, with a visit to the crash site, we found a very poignant interesting item from one of his crew that day during filming we hope you enjoy this small documentary.

Many thanks and best wishes
Will Lindsay

We would be really interested in making contact with Wilburs surviving family members and share our findings with them, it would be great if you could help.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-62L_wa8Ic&t=4s

[christianstad]

Hi, you might be better off contacting the Clinton Daily Journal, a local newspaper in Illinois. I think it, also, covers Wapella. The more specific you get you will have better chances for a ”hit.” I would send the paper an email and tell them your situation - they may want to do a whole article about it!!

What an interesting and sad story. Thanks for sharing.

On a related note, my mother was from the Newry area of County Armagh. ”McCreesh” was her maiden name.

Good luck!

Ro

[langford_historian1984]

Oh wow, thank you very much, I'm around half an hour away from Armagh, its a small world, was your mother a GI bride?


Many thanks

Will