Youngest RAF WWII death honoured in Cambridge

A memorial service has been held in Cambridgeshire to honour the youngest person to die during active service for the RAF in World War II.

AC Harry Clack, of the 39th Entry of RAF Halton Apprentices, was killed 70 years ago, on 25 October 1940, aged 16.

He was electrocuted by overhead powerlines while trying to recover a wrecked aircraft in Cambridgeshire.

A service, attended by his niece, was held at the Military Cemetery in Newmarket Road, Cambridge, earlier.

Crashed aircraft

Harry, who is buried in Cambridge City Cemetery, was sent from RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire to join No. 54 Maintenance Unit.

It was part of Marshall of Cambridge in Newmarket Road and was tasked with the recovery of crashed aircraft, both Allied and German.

On his second day on the unit, Harry and several others were despatched to a site at Eaton Socon, to recover a Dornier 215 reconnaissance aircraft, which had been shot down by RAF fighters.

During the removal of the wreckage, the crane jib made contact with an overhead power line, which electrocuted Harry and another airman.