On 4 November 1944, at five o’clock in the morning, there was a horrendous crash at RAF Wyton. The details of what happened can be read in the ORB. The Mosquito returned from Berlin on one engine, came in too low, and hit a bulk petrol installation. Both the crew were thrown clear of the aircraft, which burst into flames. Robert Soutar, the navigator, aged 23, was killed immediately. His pilot, Edward Wallace, 21 years old, survived long enough to be transferred to RAF Hospital Ely, where he died.
With many thanks to Shona Crockett for the picture of Robert at the head of this page, and for the letter above.
Edward Wallace was the grandson of Sir Edwin Lutyens, the illustrious architect who had designed so many of the iconic First World War cemeteries. Sir Edwin had died on 1st of January of that same year. Edward’s brother, Lieutenant John Wallace, died in 1946 whilst serving with the Life Guards, Household Cavalry, and the brothers are buried at St Peter’s, Woollavington, Sussex.
Above: Commonwealth War Graves Commission report – Edward Peter Wallace Son of Capt. The Rt. Hon. (David) Euan Wallace, P.C., M.C., and of Barbara Wallace (nee Lutyens), of Petworth. Oppidan Scholar, Eton College.
Operations carried out by Wallace and Souter in November 1944:
Battle order for 2 November. Flight Lieutenant H A R Campbell, who signed it, was the Adjutant for 128 Squadron.
