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Rushden Echo & Argus, 24th October 1947
Killed on His Last Mission
In September 1943, Mr. and Mrs. W. Burdett, 53 Trafford Road, Rushden, learned that their son, Sergt. Air Gunner Donald William Burdett was missing after a raid over Germany.
Then came four years of waiting, hoping, inquiries and rumours. Now news has been received from the Air Ministry that the Missing Research and Enquiry Bureau has found his resting place in the main cemetery at Mannheim, Western Germany. His four comrades lie in nearby graves.
"We were hoping and hoping that we should hear some news," Mrs. Bennett told us. "It has been a terrible four years for us."
Sergt. Burdett, who was aged 22, volunteered for the R.A.F. in November 1941, and it was afterwards learned that he was on his last mission in a Lancaster when he was forced to bale out with five other members of the crew.
The pilot and navigator remained in the plane and were later captured. When they were released they were surprised to learn that Sergt. Burdett had not returned.
A former member of Rushden Methodist Boys’ Brigade, Sergt. Burdett was once employed as a carpenter by Messrs. Robert Marriott, builders. He was educated at Newton Road School.
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