b. ? 1915 Edmonton, Middlesex. d. 04/09/1938 Edmonton, Middlesex.
DATE OF EM ACTION: 04/09/1938 Edmonton, Middlesex.
James Letch EGM
James was the sixth of nine children born to Thomas Arthur and Ada Amelia Letch (nee Richards). He was born and raised in Edmonton, Middlesex, and the family lived at 20 Dunholme Road at the time of the accident. On 4th September 1938, the pilot of an RAF Audax two seater plane, SR Morris was aiming for Pymmes Park, but found that he was struggling to keep the aircraft above the rooves. He was unable to reach the park in time and crashed into houses on Dunholme Road, taking the roof off number 28. As fire raged and the plane lay in tatters across the road, people rushed to try and help. James and his youngest brother, Edward, tried to unstrap the pilot from his cockpit but tragically the fuel tank exploded killing all three of them. The explosion saw members of the Callaghan family die in number 30, and a seven year old boy Jimmy Tant, was killed instantly by flying debris. All in all, 12 people were killed in the accident and 15 were injured.
EGM CITATION:
Mr. Edward Letch and Mr. James Letch, both of 20, Dunholnie Road, Edmonton,. endeavoured, with great courage, to rescue a pilot of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve who crashed at Edmonton on the 4th September last. They were both burnt to death in the attempt.
BURIAL LOCATION: EDMONTON CEMETERY, EDMONTON, MIDDLESEX.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: EDMONTON GREEN LIBRARY, EDMONTON, MIDDLESEX.
