Sergeant David Mills (748521) served in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve during World War Two. At that time, he flew with RAF 115 Squadron from RAF Marham, Norfolk. When off-duty, he lived at 39 Ardmore Park, Finaghy, Co. Antrim.
Sergeant Mills died on 9th December 1940 aged 21 years old after completing a successful raid in Operation Bordeaux. He was 2nd Pilot on Vickers Wellington T2520 KO-A that took off from RAF Marham, Norfolk at 1715hrs on 8th December 1940.
After completing the raid, the Wellington strayed off course in heavy cloud and bad weather on the return flight. At 0312hrs on 9th December 1940, it crashed into high ground on Cefn-yr-Ystrad above the old Blaen-Dyffryn Quarry near Tredegar, Glamorganishire, Wales. The wreckage of the plane burned through the small hours until local workers spotted flames around 0600hrs.
They rushed to the the scene but there was nothing could be done for the 6 airmen. Authorities recovered the bodies and 3 of them lie at rest in the Llantwit Major Cemetery. The remaining 3 crew members’ graves are in their hometowns.
Remembering the crew of Wellington T2520
| Last Name | First Name(s) | Rank | Role | Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tindall | Albert | Pilot Officer | Pilot | RAF 43294. From New South Wales, Australia. Aged 21 years old. |
| Mills | David | Sergeant | 2nd Pilot | RAFVR 748521. From Belfast, Co. Antrim. Aged 21 years old. |
| Ellis | Hylton Daniel | Sergeant | Observer | RAF 523372. From Dinnington, South Yorkshire. Aged 26 years old. |
| Howard | Stanley Gordon | Sergeant | Wireless Operator/Air Gunner | RAFVR 966313. |
| Brown | Reginald | Sergeant | Air Gunner | RNZAF 40913. From New Zealand. Aged 22 years old. |
| Wallace | David Ernest | Sergeant | Air Gunner | RAFVR 905336. From Southend-on-Sea, Essex. |
In May 2002, local man and former RAF fitter, Karl Martin found remains of the Wellington. Each year, the people from the nearby town of Tredegar, Glamorganshire pay tribute to the crew. A vicar conducts a service at St. George’s Church and townspeople lay wreaths at the crash site where scorch marks still deface the earth.
David Mills’ grave is in Section A2, Grave 484 of Belfast City Cemetery, Belfast, Co. Antrim.