Sergeant Joseph Norman Polland (1485923) served in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve during World War Two. He was the son of electrician Samuel Polland and Sara Polland of 23 Evolina Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim.
Belfast born Sergeant Polland died in a training incident on 19th December 1943 aged 31 years old. He was a bomb aimer on board Handley Page Halifax BB364 NF-R with RAF 138 (Special Duties) Squadron.
The crew took off from RAF Tempsford, Bedfordshire on a training exercise. The mission involved dropping containers over RAF Henlow, Bedfordshire from around 400 feet. At 1925hrs, after 1 hour 5 minutes in the air, the Mark II bomber collided with a tall factory chimney at Arlesey Brickworks and came down 1 mile south-east of the target area. The collision happened at around 280 feet as the plane circled although the pilot was aware of the chimneys.
The plane caught fire killing all those on board.
Remembering the crew of BB364
Joseph Norman Polland’s grave is in Section E2, Grave 766 of Dundonald Cemetery, Dundonald, Co. Down. His headstone bears the inscription:
At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.