Driver Ernest V Heckford

Ernest Victor Heckford was the son of Evelyn and Nora Heckford, of Upton, Poole, Dorsetshire. He enlisted in the Royal Army Service Corps and volunteered for Airborne forces.

Driver Heckford successfully completed despatcher training and was posted to 398 (Airborne) Divisional Composite Company, Royal Army Service Corps, and took part in Operation Market Garden (Arnhem).

Dvr Heckford was killed in action on 20 September 1944, aged 19. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Groesbeek Memorial to the missing.

The aircraft he was onboard (RAF 620 Sqn., Stirling LK-548, base Fairford.) was hit by flak and crashed in a field in front of the Verhoeven family house on Meuwerweg 3, at Vorstenbosch at about 17.30 h. Of the 8 man crew three survived and also evaded capture. The remains of Dvr Heckford were never recovered. (Roll of Honour, 5th Revised Edition, 2011).

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