Died: Lancaster III PB533 crashed in fog in Lincolnshire. Taking off at 16.36 from Coningsby for a raid against Politz, their Lancaster was instructed to divert to Metheringham due to fog upon their return. Visibility was also poor here too, and they crashed the aircraft was destroyed by fire on an overshoot whilst trying to land. Seven of the crewmen were killed, and one was injured. (https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/159347)
Address / Local links: 151 Upper Wickham Lane
Family / Relatives: Son of Major Henry, formerly Royal Field Artillery, and Margaret Mary Hatcher
Squadron Leader Leslie Hatcher is probably the most decorated serviceman to be recorded on our local war memorials, having been awarded both the AFM and DFC…
The Air Force Medal (AFM) was a military decoration, awarded to personnel of the Royal Air Force and other British Armed Forces below commissioned rank, for “an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy”.
The Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers, of the Royal Air Force for “an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against the enemy”.
We have the official citations for both of Leslie’s awards;
AFM Citation (London Gazette, 1st January 1943): “This airman pilot has been a conversion instructor on Wellington aircraft for the past 15 months, during which he has completed 500 hours instructional flying which includes 200 hours night flying. Flight Sergeant Hatcher has shown outstanding keenness, patience, cheerfulness, energy and devotion to duty and has at all times set an excellent example to pupils and instructors alike.”
DFC Citation (London Gazette 8th December 1944): “Squadron Leader Hatcher has taken part in a large number of operational sorties. As captain of aircraft he has trained his crew to a high standard of efficiency. In August 1944, he was detailed for an attack on Konigsberg. Both the anti-aircraft and searchlight defenses were very heavy and it was necessary for Squadron Leader Hatcher to fly at a low level to identify the target. This difficult task he accomplished with great courage and determination. He is an excellent flight commander, whose consistent courage and devotion to duty have set a fine example to his flight.”
Leslie was born in January 1918 in Woolwich – his father, a long-serving military man, was stationed there. Both Leslie’s parents came from relatively humble beginnings, but through their lives in the military had lived through momentous times and experienced both great triumphs and tragedies…
Henry Hatcher (1882-1925) was born in Southwark. After spells working as a tailor’s assistant and a cabsman’s groom, he joined the army with the Royal Field Artillery, and served in South Africa and then India, where he spent much of his service life. (there are records of him serving in Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh, and at the 1911 Delhi Durbar as a Quarter Master Sergeant).
Four of his children were born in India – Henry Thomas (who sadly died there in 1912 aged just 4), Winifred Margaret, Frederic Charles, and Alice Dorothy (who also died back in England aged just 10).
Henry had married in May 1907 to Margaret Mary Cubitt, the daughter of a french polisher (1882-1944) at St Peter, Walworth. A few years later she was with her husband in barracks in India…
They must have returned to England at some time during WW1 – in 1916 another sone was born, Henry jnr, at Walworth; their last child, our Leslie, was born in 1918.
Leslie’s father, Henry Hatcher, died in 1925 aged just 44. Probate records tell us that he died at St. Thomas’ hospital (address given as 47 Artillery Place Woolwich) and he left £740 7d to Margaret.
Ten years later, around 1936, we find Margaret living at 64 Wickham Lane, and in the 1939 electoral register at 151 Upper Wickham Lane (although interestingly, the 1939 Register records her as lodging with the Godfrey family at 143 Gipsy Road).
By that time, it appears that young Leslie, who had been educated at the Royal Masonic School, had already enlisted in the RAF.
(We’re not sure why the Commonwealth War Graves Commission record for Leslie Hatcher lists his father as ‘Maj.’ (Major) – an honorary title, perhaps, granted at Woolwich? Nor do we know if Henry Hatcher was a mason, although that’s a possibility, as Leslie was educated at the Royal Masonic School…
“The Royal Masonic Institute for Boys, located in Bushey, Hertfordshire, was a renowned independent school that provided education and care for boys from disadvantaged backgrounds. Established in 1867, the school was known for its strong emphasis on character development, moral values, and practical skills. The Cadet Corps was an integral part of the school’s curriculum, offering young boys the opportunity to learn essential life skills, discipline, and teamwork”
Some brief military records for Leslie state “Enlisted 1939, commissioned 1942. Attained rank of Squadron Leader in 1944” so clearly he was a young man who had learned those “essential life skills, discipline, and teamwork” attributes taught at school.
RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire was one of Bomber Commands most important bases in WW2…
“Plans for an airfield at Coningsby began in 1937 as part of the RAF’s expansion plan. However progress in the compulsory purchase of the land was slow and delayed the start of work for two years. The station opened during the Second World War on 4 November 1940 under No. 5 Group, part of RAF Bomber Command. In May 1942, aircraft from Coningsby participated in the ‘Thousand Bomber’ raid on Cologne”…
Air crew losses were naturally terribly heavy, and later in 1942 Leslie’s 83 Squadron became part of the new ‘Pathfinder force’…
“No. 83 Squadron spent the first half of the Second World War operating as a night bomber squadron with Bomber Command. Unlike many Bomber Command squadrons, No. 83 Squadron went into action on the first day of the war, carrying out a sweep over the North Sea looking for German warships.
Bombing missions did not begin until 20 April 1940, after the German invasion of Norway. It retained it’s Hampdens for just over two years, and when it did get new aircraft they were Avro Manchesters. The first Manchester mission was flown on 28 January 1942 and the flaws in the aircraft soon began apparent. After only four months of operations, the Manchesters were replaced by Avro Lancasters, which the squadron kept for the rest of the war. In August 1942 No. 83 Squadron became part of the Pathfinder Force, carrying out target marking duties for the rest of the war”…
Leslie’s last flight;
Various aviation records exist recording the tragic events of 22nd December 1944…
“Hatcher was captain of one of 17 crews selected to mark an oil plant at Politz. From the ORB…..
The aircraft took off shortly after 16.30hrs and started returning from 02.00hrs. Weather at the base was not as bad as expected, and orders were transmitted to cancel diversion instructions, and return to Coningsby. However, at the last minute, the weather deteriorated, and although several managed to land, a large remainder had to report to Metheringham, and their “Fido” aid. Four crews were forced to land in Scotland, and look like being delayed by weather conditions.
Sqdn/Ldr Hatcher, whilst trying to land his aircraft at Metheringham, crashed and caught fire, all the crew, save the rear gunner, P/O Ingmire, being killed. P/O Ingmire escaped with a broken arm and fractured shoulder. Sqdn/Ldr Hatcher were a primary visual and primary blind marking crew, and will be greatly missed on the squadron, on account of their good work, and also their good fellowship. Sqdn/Ldr Hatcher held the DFC and AFM”…
“Taking off at 1636 from Coningsby for a raid against Politz, on their return their Lancaster III (Reg no. PB533 OL-), due to fog, was instructed to divert to Metheringham. Visibility was poor here too and they crashed at 0246 and PB533 was Destroyed By Fire on overshoot in fog on return from mission to Politz while trying to land. Seven of the crewmen were killed and one injured…”
“LAST OPERATION INFORMATION
Start Date 21-12-1944
End Date 22-12-1944
Takeoff Station Coningsby
Day/Night Raid Night (43% moon)
Operation Politz
Reason for Loss Diverted to Metheringham but visibility was just as poor as Coningsby. Crashed at 0246.
FELLOW SERVICEMEN
Bell F J (W/O)
Booker A J (F/L)
Goodman R F (W/O)
Marron E (P/O)
Naldrett H J (F/S)
Summerscales C (F/L)
P/O M.T. Ingmire. A/G. Admitted to Rauceby hospital”
“Of those killed, FL Booker was taken to Cambridge City Cemetery while the others were buried in their home towns”…
For Leslie Hatcher, this meant burial at Woolwich Cemetery
“Woolwich Cemetery is a cemetery in Kings Highway, Plumstead, on land that was formerly part of Plumstead Common.
The first cemetery, which is sometimes referred to as the Woolwich Old Cemetery, was opened in 1856 by the Woolwich Burial Board and the 12-acre site was almost full within 30 years; in 1885, a new cemetery was established on adjacent land to the east.
The latter site is still in use, and contains graves of those who died in explosions at the Royal Arsenal, plus a World War I memorial with the names of 14 casualties; in total the cemetery has 96 World War I and 81 World War II Commonwealth war graves.”
Leslie Hatcher has no CWGC grave – instead, as we can see from the family headstone, he was buried along with his mother “skipper Margaret Mary Hatcher” – and if you note the date of her death, we see that both died on the same day – 22nd December 1944…
The family headstone, with the note ‘AND LAID TO REST HERE WITH HIS MOTHER’ makes for poignant reading.
Other pictures show Leslie and other RAF colleagues earlier in the war, the Royal Masonic School and its cadet corps, a view of Welling from around 1930 which the Hatchers might have known, an 83 Sqdn Lancaster being loaded, and Woolwich Cemetery.
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If anyone is able to add any extra information, provide more family details, or suggest any corrections, please let us know – also, if anyone has any more photos of this individual listed on our memorials, please get in touch. Thank you
Commemorated
- St. Michael’s East Wickham Church Memorial Tablet
- Welling War Memorial
- Woolwich Cemetery
This story has been researched by volunteers. We have taken every effort to ensure its accuracy. If you are related to Leslie Hatcher, or if you have any further information, please do get in touch.