Staff Sergeant Henry Thomas Joel

Staff Sergeant Henry Thomas Joel, son of William Henry and Dorothy Joel, of Billericay, served with 2nd Wing, Glider Pilot Regiment.

In early 1944, numerous training exercises were being undertaken in preparation for the Allied invasion of North-West Europe that year. On 4 April 1944, 1 HGSU, Horsa I LG999 took part in a large glider exercise (codenamed 'Exercise Dreme') towed by Stirling IV LJ842 of No. 196 Squadron. The glider occupants were two glider pilots and members of No.3 Platoon 'A' Company, 7th (Airborne) Battalion, The King's Own Scottish Borderers.

As the towing aircraft descended through cloud, it hit a tree and 15 minutes later stalled, possibly due a failure of the port outer engine, and crashed. All 27 men onboard Horsa LG999 were killed, including S/Sgt Henry Thomas Joel, the glider lead pilot.

Staff Sergeant Joel died on 4 April 1944, aged 22. He is now buried at St Mary Magdalene Churchyard, Great Burstead.