Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of John Roland Hyland and Ursula Marie Frizzell, of Southbrook, Queensland

Flight Sergeant Cecil Frizzell was an Air Gunner and member of the crew of a No. 467 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force Lancaster Bomber JB 140. It crashed at Royal Air Force Station, Waddington, Lincolnshire, on 4th December 1943 after taking off on an operational sortie. He received severe lacerations to his head and suffered a fractured skull. He died of his injuries the following day at the Royal Air Force Hospital at Rauceby in the United Kingdom.

On the night of 3/4th December 1943 I was detailed to attack Leipzig. Before take off I did the normal ground run and was completely satisfied with the four engines of the aircraft. At approximately 10 minutes before take-off time I started all four engines and taxied out to take off. I had just become airborne when a violent swing to port developed and on hearing the Bomb Aimer say “Your lights have come on, Bill” to the Engineer, I realised that the two port engines had cut. Suddenly, however, these engines picked up again (I learned later that the Engineer changed from No. 2 to 1 tanks) but they cut for the second time and I endeavoured to crash land in a field ahead. I was able to stall the aircraft on to the ground and before leaving switched off all fuel cocks and ignition switches, and on seeing my crew leaving ordered them well away in case the bomb load exploded. I was successful in kicking away some burning incendiaries from near the aircraft and assisted in carrying the unconscious Rear Gunner (Cecil Frizzell) well away from the scene. I then went to the Flying Control to report the accident.