Sergeant (Air Gunner) Robert Mckie Stapley, 1807327, 28 Operational Training Unit, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, was born in Durham in 1920. He lived at Landhurst, Hartfield, and at 9 Castlelands Cottages also known as Castle Farm Cottages. He was on board Wellington Z1107 which crashed on a training flight. The starboard engine burst into flames and while they tried to extinguish the flames, the aircraft stalled and crashed.on 2nd August 1943 near Breedon-on-the-Hill, Lancashire, age 22 and is buried in St Mary’s Hartfield Churchyard: Grave D.73.
He was the son of Frank and Charlotte (Henderson) Stapley. He had previously served in the army and was evacuated from Dunkirk. He re-mustered as aircrew.
Listed on the War Memorial in Hartfield.
