Den Helder, North Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe
Harold C. Stevenson and Ernest F.V. Kidd Memorial
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 2, 2026
1. Harold C. Stevenson and Ernest F.V. Kidd Memorial - text
Pilot officer Harold C. Stevenson (navigator)
& Pilot officer Ernest F.V. Kidd (piloot)
Beiden R.A.F. vliegers
Zij zijn op respectievelijk 22 en 24 jarige leeftijd met hun Beaufighter neergestort op 18 juli 1943
(English translation:)
These two linden trees were planted on 18 June 2004 by Alderman E.J. Vos-Brandjes, J. Dop, and J.C. Hermeler, at the request of Mrs. Audrey Baker, in memory of her husband.
Pilot Officer Harold C. Stevenson (Navigator)
& Pilot Officer Ernest F.V. Kidd (Pilot)
Both R.A.F. airmen
They crashed in their Beaufighter on 18 July 1943, aged 22 and 24 respectively.
They shall grow not old,
as those are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them,
nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun
and in the morning
We will remember them.
Erected 2004.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World II.
Location. 52° 57.752′ N,
this page online
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Benelux Low Countries, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: E.F.V. Kidd and H.G. Stevenson Memorial (here, next to this marker); RAF North Coates Strike Wing Memorial (Vliegers Monument) (here, next to this marker); Huis aan zee / House by the sea (about 210 meters away, measured in a direct line); Leo Pinkhof (approx. 0.8 kilometers away); Monument voor de Bombardementslachtoffers / Bombardment Victims Memorial (approx. 2.1 kilometers away); Algemene begraafplaats Den Helder / Den Helder General Cemetery (approx. 2.1 kilometers away); Historische gedenktuin / Historical Memorial Garden
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 2, 2026
2. Harold C. Stevenson and Ernest F.V. Kidd Memorial - wide view
Also see . . . 18.07.1943 No. 236 Squadron Beaufighter VI-C EL240 ND-E P/O. Ernest F.V. Kidd. Aircrew Remembered presents a distillation of archival reports on the crash. Excerpt:
In the early evening, armed with torpedoes and rockets, 6 aircraft from 236 Squadron, a further 6 from 143 Squadron, escorted by Spitfires from 416 Squadron and Typhoons attacked the convoy again. By now they had moved out of the harbour but still had protection from the flak batteries at Den Helder.(Submitted on August 5, 2026.)
The lead vessel of the convoy was a Sperrbrecher, one of the main targets. Heavy flak from the shore batteries of Den Helder and the vessels themselves made this a most difficult low level attack. With balloons flying from the vessels and enemy fighters also in the area our aircraft had to come in at a very low level.
Pilot Officers Kidds aircraft was possibly hit by flak, however it has also been claimed by Hptm Luckenbach. The aircraft crashed into houses on the corner of 2 de Vroonstraat, Den Helderat 20.47hrs.Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 2, 20263. Harold C. Stevenson and Ernest F.V. Kidd Memorial - other memorialThis tree memorial is part of a larger circular memorial arrangement, which also has an older, simpler memorial for Stevenson and Kidd, as well as a memorial for the RAF North Coates Strike Wing (shown in this photo). The memorial location is less than 30 meters from the crash site.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 16 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 5, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
