On Wednesday 20th October, on what would have been his 100th birthday, Sergeant Peter Twiddy, RAF Volunteer Reserve, was finally laid to rest with military honours by members of the Queen’s Colour Squadron during a service that was organised by the Ministry of Defence’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre, also known as the 'MOD War Detectives.'
The ceremony took place for 22 year old Sergeant Twiddy at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Tirana Park Memorial Cemetery, Albania and was conducted by the Reverend (Squadron Leader) Chrissy Lacey, Chaplain RAF High Wycombe.
"This has been a fascinating case to research and work on. I am grateful to the families who gave their DNA so we could identify Sergeant Twiddy. We remember all the crew and passengers who were killed 78 years ago today on what was a brave mission."
Tracey Bowers
Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre
On the night of 19th October 1943, a Halifax HR674 aircraft was allocated to carry out a secret operation code-named 'Sapling 7.' Sergeant Twiddy along with six other crewmen from No.148 Squadron accompanied two passengers, Captain A. Careless and Signalman D.W. Rockingham, who were attached to the Special Operations Executive.
The purpose of the mission was to drop supplies and the two Special Operations Executive personnel. The drop zone was high in the mountains above the village of Tragjas, Albania. The aircraft took off from Tocra, Libya on 19th October 1943 at 2325 hours local time and did not return.
Attempts to trace the aircraft, including searches of the sea, came to no avail until 22nd October 1943 when a signal was received from the field telling that the plane had crashed in the early hours of 20th October with the loss of all persons on board.
Following information about the location of the Halifax crash site given to the Defence Section in Tirana, a team from the Embassy deployed to investigate. Human remains were recovered from the wreckage and DNA was used to confirm they were those of Sergeant Peter Twiddy.
"We are all grateful a positive DNA match was obtained and the mystery as to what happened all those years ago to our brave family member has been finally solved."
Family of Sergeant Peter Twiddy
Peter Twiddy was born on 20th October 1921 in Stockwell, Surrey, to Albert Arthur Twiddy and Elsie Edith Ward. Peter had one older sister who died as an infant and a younger brother, Eric, who died in 2013 aged 89. Throughout his career Peter’s character was always described as very good. Peter was killed on his 22nd birthday.
"For 78 years Sergeant Twiddy’s resting place has been unknown. Now, on his special day (the anniversary of both his birth and death), we come together to say that he is known; at his final resting place we recognise the ultimate sacrifice he made. We stand in remembrance in the peace which he and the crew gave their lives for, and pray that will have peace as they rest."
The Reverend Lacey
The grave will be marked by a headstone provided by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, who will care for his final resting place in perpetuity.
"On this significant date, Sergeant Twiddy can now be laid to rest. We are proud to be able to mark his grave with a Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone bearing his details and a personal inscription chosen by his family, ensuring that neither he nor his sacrifice will ever be forgotten."
Mel Donnelly
Commonwealth War Graves Commission Commemorations Case Manager
