Flight Lieutenant Alexander Norman BORROW, service number 186421, was the son of Rev. Ernest John and Winifred Mary Borrow of 12 Moorland Close, Collier Row, Romford. Alexander, age 27, was a navigator/bomb aimer aboard one of two B-24 Liberator bombers which collided in poor weather during a training flight on the morning of 26 July 1945, killing all fourteen aboard. The bombers, part of a six aircraft formation, had taken off from Amarda Road Airfield in India. Alexander may have normally been assigned to RAF 159 Squadron in India, but he and several other airmen from 159 Squadron had been temporarily posted to a school called AFTU (Air Fighting Training Unit) at Amarda Road to receive additional instruction on the intricacies of flying the B-24.

While researching this accident for the daughter of Alexander's co-pilot, I have amassed a tremendous amount of information. I would be happy to share pertinent details with his kin or friends, should they wish to know. This includes photographs taken in 2002 of his grave in Chennai (formerly known as Madras), India, and photographs taken at the original grave at the crash site in a paddy field. I can guarantee that some of my information would be unknown to the Borrow family and friends, and most likely the bulk of the findings would be very welcome to them, too.

In addition to Alexander's name, another Borrow, whose initials are H. E, is found on the Romford war memorial. According to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, this was Pilot Officer Herbert Edward Borrow DFM, an RAF navigator killed over Europe while flying with 83 Squadron on 20 January 1944. The CWGC listing on-line does not give Herbert's next of kin info, so I don't know if he was related to Alexander.

It is important to emphasize that nothing shall be forced upon any relatives or friends whose whereabouts I might learn. Information will be provided ONLY if desired. Alexander's death was then and is still a profound tragedy, and I have no desire to open old wounds. Thus, I will certainly not pester anyone who wishes to be left in peace.

The Romford Recorder ran a story back in 1998, but nobody came forward. There are currently no Borrow listings in the BT directory.

I ask that any kin or close friends who are located please contact me at my home address or by telephone or e-mail. This information is as follows:

• Home: Matt Poole 12307 Middle Road Wheaton, MD 20906 USA
• My computer e-mail address is:
• My telephone number is 301-933-1727. I do have an answering machine, in case I am not at home, but the caller should talk loudly and clearly.

Thank you kindly for any help you can offer.

Matt Poole
Maryland, USA