Prestatyn grave of Albert Marten
Grave of Albert Marten (d.1942)
At the outbreak of the Second World War, Alfred Marten was living at Oakville Avenue, Rhyl, with his wife Elizabeth and was in business with his brother managing a wholesale newsagent on Kinmel Street, Rhyl.
Alfred joined the Royal Air Force and by 1942 was posted to RAF Lichfield in Staffordshire. The airfield was home to a squadron of Wellington bombers and Alfred’s role was within the maintenance crew preparing the aircraft for operational duties.
On the evening of 13 September 1942, the bombers took off from RAF Lichfield to attack targets in the German city of Bremen. Within minutes, an engine on one of the Wellingtons faltered and the pilot decided to return to base. While turning, the aircraft stalled and spun out of control. It crashed near the airfield killing all five of the aircrew including three Australians.
Personnel from RAF Lichfield, including Aircraftman Albert Marten, were ordered to guard the stricken aircraft. While they were doing so, the ordnance on board the crashed plane exploded, killing the 36-year-old from Rhyl and three others.