The English Thomas Walter Gostick was only 23 years old and was a sergeant during the Second World War. His life ended abruptly when a German bomber shot down his plane, the Wellington P9286, over the Groetpolder near Winkel. Now, almost 82 years later, Gostick’s relatives visit his grave for the first time.
Thomas Walter Gostick, along with five other crew members, served as a sergeant on the Wellington P9286. The team was on their way back to England from Germany on November 16, 1940, but never got there again. The plane was shot down by a fighter jet. All crew members did not survive the crash.
The Hollands Kroon Memorial Poles Foundation has been committed to placing memorial poles in places where planes have been shot down for a number of years. There are about 40 in Hollands Kroon. The memorial pole of the Wellington P9286 has been there since September last year, and that is why relatives of the deceased Gostick decided to pay a visit to Winkel.
Ceremony
The foundation could not let that moment pass and decided to organize a ceremony for Jack Salter, the great-nephew of Thomas Walter Gostick, and his wife Gill Salter. “Because we think it is important that this story continues to be told and that attention is paid to it. That is very much appreciated by the people and also by the relatives,” says Chris Dijkshoorn of Stichting Herdenkingspalen Hollands Kroon.
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A minute’s silence was observed during the ceremony and flowers were placed on the grave where the six crew members are buried. “It was a very moving ceremony. We are very impressed and happy with everyone who attended and still remembers the sacrifices they made,” said bereaved Jack Salter.