BUDD Robert William Harry

Robert Budd enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force on the 17th April 1942. On his attestation form he gave his date of birth as 27th September 1922, his place of birth as Toronto, Ontario, his permanent address as 78 West Street, Chatham, Ontario, his religion as United Church and his occupation as an Office Clerk. Robert gave his next of kin as his father, Harry Clare Budd, born Kent County, Ontario and his mother Cora Frances Saddington, born Mull, Ontario.

On the 24th November 1943 Robert Budd was the Navigator on board Wellington Z.1682 which was engaged on a night flying operational training exercise. The aircraft crashed at 02.35 at Holm Farm, Marston, Berkshire, England resulting in the death of Robert through multiple injuries.

Extract from a letter written to Robert’s sister, Marion, on the 29th November 1943 from a Group Captain at RAF Pershore:
“I am writing to express my very sincere sympathy with you in the loss of your brother, Pilot Officer Robert William Budd, who was killed as a result of a flying accident at Hampstead Norris, Berkshire, on 24th November 1943.

Your brother was the Navigator of a Wellington aircraft which took off from this station on the night of 23rd November 1943, to undergo a practice cross country flight, and at 2.40 a.m. the aircraft crashed. The crash was a severe one and it may be of some consolation to you to know that your brother must have been killed instantly.

Pilot Officer Budd had almost completed his training and it is very sad that this should have happened so early in his career. His death will undoubtedly be a loss to the Service.

The funeral took place at Pershore Cemetery, at 3 p.m. on Saturday 27th November 1943, with full service honours, and the service was conducted by Padre Scott, the Canadian Padre for this district.”

Flying Officer Robert William Budd, age 21, serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force was buried in consecrated ground in Pershore Cemetery on 27th November 1943. The ceremony was performed by the Reverend H. Crawford Scott.

Register of Burials in War Graves in Pershore Cemetery courtesy of Pershore Town Council.