Leading Aircraftwoman 2058307 Nellie Griffiths (nee Platt) WAAF was born at Wybunbury, Cheshire on the 22nd of March 1907, the daughter of Albert and Mary Platt.

The 1911 census finds Nellie with her family at 5, Hawthorn Avenue, Nantwich. Albert aged 28, born Acton, Cheshire, was a joiners labourer at a locomotive works. Mary aged 26 was a sewing machinist, tailoring born at Nantwich. The couple have been married for five years and have three children, all still alive. Cyril aged 4, Frank aged 2 and Nellie aged 2; all born Wybunbury, Cheshire.

The 1939 Register finds Nellie with her family at 4, Laburnam Avenue, Nantwich. Albert, born 5th of August 1882 is a roof cleaner, heavy worker. Mary, born 13th of September 1884 is unpaid domestic duties. Children recorded are Nellie (Griffiths) a steam presser and clothing ironer; Alfred born 15th February 1913 a storesman with Rolls Royce; Albert born 7th June 1915 a coal merchants clerk; Frederick born 14th November 1919 a locomotive fitter; the next record is closed; Kenneth born 15th November (1928?) a locomotive fitter and turner.

At Nantwich in 1933, Nellie married Hector Reginald P Griffiths (1908 to 1994), the couple seem to have remained childless. [In 1949, Hector was remarried to Doris Brereton at Crewe.]

At some time, Nellie enlisted into the Womens Auxiliary Air Force and posted to the AFEE (Armed Forces Experimental Establishment) at Sherburn in Elmet, Yorkshire.

At 14.14 on the 21st October 1944, Nellie was killed in a plane crash during a local flight from Sherburn in Elmet in Armstrong Whitworth Albermarle V1762 as it approached to land.

The Albermarle had had two new engines fitted at Sherburn airfield and on the 21st was to be test flown to test the operation of the new engines. Shortly after take off the starboard engine developed problems and shortly afterwards the port engine then failed. The aircraft was at 600 feet above the ground but was making barely any flying speed and was on the verge of stalling. It seems that the pilot turned the aircraft around to make an emergency approach to land the aircraft. However, the Albermarle stalled and crashed into a field 300 yards short of the runway. Two of the three people on board were killed.

Crew:

P/O (182548) James George Swain (Flight Engineer) RAFVR - killed, buried Poulton le Fylde New Cemetery

LACW (2058307) Nellie Griffiths (Pass. (engine fitter) WAAF - killed, buried Nantwich General Cemetery

W/O 1131156 William J Edwards (pilot) RAF - Survived, but was seriously injured.

Note: The website Aviation Safety Network https://aviation-safety.net notes that “In more recent years more information came to light as to what might have happened, another WAAF engine fitter who had been responsible for the engine change stated that her team had not passed the aircraft as ready for flight but that this was then over-ruled by a high-ranking officer who passed it as serviceable”.