No 5 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit

No 5 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit

August 1941

On 1 August 1941, No. 3 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit at R.A.F. Chivenor became No. 5 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit. 24068 W/C P. D. CRACROFT, A.F.C. was appointed to the rank of Group Captain (G/C) to become the Commanding Officer, R.A.F. Station, Chivenor.

A Board of Survey was assembled at Chivenor at 10.00 hours for the purpose of conditioning Beaufort air frames 2380M and 2387M. The President was F/L Wynne OWEN, and the member was W/O WITTS. 31206 F/L E. D. BRADFIELD, Equipment Branch, was detached to Liverpool on this date for embarkation overseas. F/O M. V. HACKETT was attached from the M.T.E. and D. at Harrogate. Sgt J. H. OUGHTON, G.D. Branch, was appointed to a commission as an Acting Pilot Officer with effect from 31 July 1941. 80902 P/O H. F. DEMPSTER, A. & S.D. Branch, was confirmed in his appointment and promoted to the war substantive rank of Flying Officer with effect from 15 June 1941. Finally, 82421 P/O M. W. NOEL, A. & S.D. Branch, was posted to R.A.F. Chivenor on this date for Regional Control Duties (a F/O post) to take effect on 9 August 1941.

On 2 August, a District Court Martial was convened at R.A.F. Chivenor for the purpose of trying 913613 Sgt Edmund Patrick Osborn WATSON of No. 608 Squadron at R.A.F. Thornaby, who was attached to R.A.F. Chivenor. The President was W/C W. H. JONES, H.Q. 50 Group, with S/L H. V. RABAGLIATI and F/L G. H. GRAY as Members from H.Q. No. 50 Group. The Waiting Member was F/L R. M. POWELL from R.A.F. Chivenor, the Prosecutor was S/L S. E. CHISWELL also from R.A.F. Chivenor. The nature of the charge Sgt WATSON faced is not known, but he was sentenced to be reduced to the ranks and to undergo detention for seventy-seven days. F/O M. V. HACKETT ceased to be attached to R.A.F. Chivenor and proceeded to R.A.F. Silloth in Cumberland.

In addition, on this date, 45300 P/O L. WOOD was detached to the Central Flying School at R.A.F. Upavon. Also, on this date, 7472870 Sgt ILETT was landing in Anson N.9645 when he had to swing on landing to avoid another aircraft. The strain was too great on the undercarriage which collapsed, and the Anson came to rest on its belly. There were no casualties.

On 3 August, P/O D. M. BATLEY met with a fatal accident when his Beaufort L.4478 crashed one mile north of Croyde, North Devon, due to the supposed failure of one engine (but confirmation lacking). P/O H. J. ABRAMS also met with his death in the accident. 937544 Sgt N. C. J. COLES received slight injuries.[1]

G/C/ PEARCE Senior Air Staff Officer No. 17 Group and S/L D. O. THOMAS, S.I.O. No. 17 Group visited R.A.F. Chivenor on 4 August. A Court of Enquiry was assembled to enquire into the cause of the damage to the port engine of Beaufort N.1044. The President was F/L WYNNE-OWEN and the Member was F/O A. D. L. MacKINNON.

77611 F/O J. E. BUCKLAND, Technical Branch, was detached to R.A.F. St. Eval and 61599 P/O A. V. EARNSHAW, Administrative and Special Duties Branch was detached to the R.A.F. School of Administration at Loughborough.

On 5 August, 86109 P/O F. W. WORT, Administrative and Special Duties Branch was attached to R.A.F. Chivenor from R.A.F. St. Eval. 83475 P/O A. S. PINE-COFFIN, A. & S.D. and F/O K. M. SMITH, Tech, proceeded to H.Q. Coastal Command to collect documents. They returned two days later.

Another Court of Enquiry was assembled on 6 August at 09.30 hours to investigate into the cause of the accidental release of bombs by Beaufort N.9932. The President was F/L M. A. WATNEY and the Member F/L W. LOMASE. 40267 F/L D. SHAWE, D.F.C., General Duties, proceeded to C.M.B. Halton, returning two days later. 78771 F/O W. J. WHITTINGTON, G.D., proceeded to Thongsbridge, from which he returned on 8 August. On the sixth, the station was reorganised for administrative purposes, and an entry in Daily Routine Orders gives the new organisation as follows:

Royal Air Force Chivenor                                No. 5 (C) O.T.U.
Station Headquarters @                                 Maintenance Wing
No. 47 Works Flight                                       Training Wing
A.A. Defence Squadron

@ – This fulfilled the functions of the present Admin Wing as well as what is now known as S.H.Q.

87509 F/O J. L. FURNER arrived on 7 August for duty at R.A.F. Wrafton, the new Controlled Ground Interception (C.G.I.) radar station being opened nearby on Braunton marshes. P/O H. HAMMOND, A. & S.D. was posted from No. 11 Elementary Flying Training School for Defence duties, with him actually arriving the next day.

On 8 August, a summary of evidence was held at Chivenor at 09.30 hours on 616993 L.A.C. E. T. HUGHES, held by S/L L. B. B. KING. The Barnstaple Patrol was cancelled as from this date. P/O A. EVANS and P/O A. R. MILNE-HENDERSON, both members of the A. & S.D., were posted from the Officers’ School at R.A.F. Uxbridge for Regional Control Duties. 39233 F/L G. H. B. HUTCHISON, G.D., was posted to No. 217 Squadron. 60558 P/O M. WOODHOUSE, G.D., proceeded to C.M.B. Halton and returned two days later. 81647 P/O SPENCER-SCHRADER, G.D., was posted to R.A.F. Chivenor from No. 217 Squadron.

On 9 August, a Court of Enquiry was assembled at R.A.F. Chivenor at 10.00 hours to enquire into the accident involving Beaufort L.4478 on 3 August 1941. The President was S/L R. E. BRUSN, and the Members F/L J. AMES and F/O R. S. FOSTER. 42844 F/O J. J. KENNY, G.D., was posted from the School of Air Navigation at R.A.F. Cranage to R.A.F. Chivenor.

A/P/O E. M. LOCKWOOD from 501 Flight and A/P/O H. E. RECKIE from A.T.C. were attached to R.A.F. Chivenor, and P/O E. de VUYST and P/O R. LUNDEN were posted to this base from R.A.F. West Freugh in Scotland. P/O R. J. URQUHART, P/O L. G. C. WALLINGTON and P/O L. D. DEWHURST were all posted to R.A.F. Chivenor from No.3 School of General Reconnaissance at R.A.F. Squires Gate. The day was marked by the tragic loss of P/O S. H. LAST and his air crew in Beaufort L.9953 which seen and heard by many personnel to dive vertically into the River Taw at 10.15 hours from a height of 500 feet. P/O LAST, and his Observer P/O V. J. HALL, and WOp/AGs Sgt WESLEY and Sgt FELL all died instantly in the violent crash only about half a mile from Chivenor.[2]

P/O P. S. PINE-COFFIN assumed the duties as Station Adjutant with effect from 10 August. 45357 P/O N. S. PETCH, G.D., was detached to R.A.F. Watchfield for a Blind Approach Course. 7761 F/O J. E. BUCKLAND, Tech, ceased to be attached to R.A.F. Chivenor on this date. 86109 P/O. F. W. WORT, A. & S.D. ceased to be attached to R.A.F. Chivenor and returned to R.A.F. St. Eval. 86936 F/L W. D. WILKIN, A. & S.D., arrived at R.A.F. Chivenor from R.A.F. Locking and returned to his unit the following day.

On 11 August, a summary of evidence was held at 11.00 hours in respect of 519976 Sgt W. J. THOMAS with F/L D. SHAWE, D.F.C. acting as President. A Committee of Adjustment was formed with S/L The Reverend R. H. BATE as the President and W/O LOVELL, the Station Warrant Officer, as the sole Member. Their role was gather together and list the personal effects of the dead air crew from the crash of Beaufort L.9953, dispatch them to the Central Registry for transit to the next-of-kin, and to ascertain the assets and liabilities of each of them, to pay outstanding Mess bills and other debts, and then to send details of the remaining assets to the Casualty Section of the Air Ministry for the benefit of the next-of-kin.

P/O E. de VUYST and P/O R. LUNDEN were posted to No. 2 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit at R.A.F. Catfoss. W/C A. F. MURDOCK, R.A.A.F. was attached to R.A.F. Chivenor from R.A.A.F. Australia House in London and then he was posted to No. 221 Squadron as supernumerary, leaving R.A.F. Chivenor on 18 August. 77272 F/O R. S. J. FOSTER, A. & S.D., proceeded to R.A.F. Cranwell and returned to the unit on 13 August.

On 12 August, an investigation was formed under P/O D. G. JOHNSON to enquire and investigate into a motor transport accident on 26 July 1941. 79269 F/O G. C. BATEMAN, A. & S.D. proceeded to C.M.B. Halton and returned on 14 August. 44787, F/O B. W. CARTER, Tech, was posted to No. 3 O.T.U. at R.A.F. Cranwell, and 78771 F/O J. W. WHITTINGTON, G.D., also travelled to R.A.F. Cranwell, but he returned to Chivenor on 14 August. P/O A. R. MILNE-HENDERSON, A. &. S.D. proceeded to Nottingham and returned to the unit on 16 August. This was possibly in connection with the repatriation of the bodies of Sgt WESLEY and Sgt FELL and to represent the base at their funerals.

Nothing of note occurred on 13 August, but the next day a Summary of Evidence was heard against 529963 Cpl A. J. WARD by S/L A. W. ATTILL. 70340 F/L D. W. S. IRELAND, G.D., proceeded to the Southern Aircraft Company at Gatwick in Surrey and returned on 15 August. Douglas Wallace Stanton IRELAND died on 28 January 1943 when the Avro Anson he was flying failed to arrive at R.A.F. Carew Cheriton in Pembrokeshire. He was aged forty-three years, married, and was by then a Squadron Leader having joined the R.A.F. pre-war. S/L IRELAND is commemorated on Panel 118 of the Runnymede Memorial in Surrey. At the time of his loss, he was flying from No. 1 T.T.U. at R.A.F. Turnberry, it is believed in Anson R.9628.

On 15 August, there was an Air Raid Warning Red at 22.19 hours, with the All Clear given at 22.41 hours. On 16 August, A/P/O E. H. LOCKWOOD and A/P/O RECKIE ceased to be attached to R.A.F. Chivenor. 26063 W/C C. W. PRATT, G.D., arrived at R.A.F. Chivenor from R.A.F. Porton for a three-day visit. A Court of Enquiry was assembled at R.A.F. Chivenor at 1.00 hours to enquire into the accident involving Beaufort L.9953 on 9 August. The following officers were posted to the Torpedo Training Unit at R.A.F. Abbotsinch upon completing their course at R.A.F. Chivenor:

Pilots – 89819 P/O A. H. ALDRIDGE, R.A.F.V.R., 89820 P/O T. H. CARSON, R.A.F.V.R., 88039 P/O P. I. HALL,R.A.F.V.R., 89822 P/O J. R. HARRISON, R.A.F., 88041 P/O R. M. ILIFF, R.A.F.V.R., 89826 P/O M. LEE, R.A.F.V.R., 89818 P/O J. L. NORTON, R.A.F.V.R., 89833 P/O R. B. SEDDON, R.A.F.V.R. and Observers 61300 P/O A. V. WOOD, A/402446 P/O A. P. LEWIS, R.A.A.F., 100561 P/O P. F. OPPERMAN, R.A.F.V.R., J/4768 P/O M. W. McGREGOR, R.C.A.F., and 100633 P/O H. L. POWELL, R.A.F.V.R.

The pilots had arrived at No. 5 (C) O.T.U. from No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre on 21 June 1941. Of these ten pilots, just four survived the Second World War, John Lewis NORTON, Arthur Harold ALDRIDGE, Peter Inglis HALL, and Richard Marklew ILIFF. NORTON and ALDRIDGE were both commissioned as Pilot Officers, on probation, from the rank of Leading Aircraftman, on 28 December 1940. Also commissioned on the same date were Philip ISTED, who died while under training at R.A.F. Chivenor, P/Os CARSON, HARRISON and LEE. NORTON was promoted to the rank of Flying Officer (war substantive) on 28 December 1941 (with his seniority dating from 22 December), and Flight Lieutenant (war substantive) on 28 December 1942. He was Mentioned in Despatches on 2 June 1943. It appears he left the Royal Air Force shortly after the end of the war.

Arthur Harold ALDRIDGE was destined to have a most remarkable career while serving with in the U.K., and in the Mediterranean with No. 217 Squadron. He was born on 23 August 1920 in Florence, Italy, the son of a clergyman, and he was of part British and part Italian descent. He left Italy aged nine years to attend St. Lawrence College in Ramsgate, Kent. In 1939, he gained a university place at St. Edmund Hall, Oxford, to read Modern Languages, but he left in 1940 to join the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. He undertook his training in Canada, and then came to R.A.F. Chivenor for two months for his Operational Training Unit course. On completion of his training, he was posted to No. 217 Squadron based at R.A.F. St. Eval.

P/O ALDRIDGE was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (D.F.C.) on 9 January 1942 for an attack on a German convoy off the Dutch coast on 9 December 1941. During this attack by three aircraft of No. 217 Squadron, ALDRIDGE’s best friend, P/O Mark LEE, was shot down in front of him and was killed. ALDRIDGE’s citation reads:

Flight Lieutenant Arthur John Heneage FINCH (39937), Reserve of Air Force Officers, No.217 Squadron.

Pilot Officer Arthur Harold ALDRIDGE (89819), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 217 Squadron.

One day in December, 1941, Flight Lieutenant Finch and Pilot Officer Aldridge participated in an attack on an enemy convoy of 8 ships escorted by 2 armed vessels off the Dutch coast. Skilfully approaching the largest ship, Flight Lieutenant Finch flew into the attack at an extremely low level. Evading the ship’s defensive fire, he machine-gunned the bridge and, flying across the vessel at mast height, released a stick of 4 bombs; it is estimated that 3 direct hits were obtained. Pilot Officer Aldridge followed his leader’s example with great determination and, as the target vessel was obscured amidships by the smoke caused by the explosions of his leader’s bombs, he skilfully aimed his bombs nearer the bows of the ship and obtained several hits. In accomplishing this, Pilot Officer Aldridge flew so low that the wing tip of his aircraft was severed by the bracing wires of a mast. Throughout, both these officers showed great courage, combined with rare skill and judgment.

ALDRIDGE was promoted to Flying Officer and Flight Lieutenant on the same dates as his colleague, John NORTON, and he served with No. 217 Squadron flying from Malta. During this period, ADLRIDGE was awarded a Bar to his D.F.C. for an attack on Italian warships.

His citation reads:

Flying Officer Arthur Harold ALDRIDGE, D.F.C. (89819), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve,

No. 217 Squadron.

Flying Officer Aldridge has attacked shipping on several occasions and, in spite of heavy anti-aircraft fire, he has achieved much success. During 3 attacks in June, in the Mediterranean, he hit an Italian warship, an enemy ship which later sank, and disabled another. On the last occasion, Flying Officer Aldridge defied an extremely heavy barrage.

Following the completion of his first tour of duty, by which time No. 217 Squadron was based in Ceylon, he served on the staff for a time, and he then returned to No. 217 Squadron as a Flight Commander. The Squadron was now flying Bristol Beaufighters.

Flight Lieutenant ALDRIDGE transferred to the Admin and Special Duties Branch of the R.A.F. on 27 June 1945, and he left the Royal Air Force in early 1946. He remained on the Reserve, in the Training Branch, until January 1955. Beryl JONES in 1948, and they had one daughter and two sons. She died in December 2011, after which ALDRIDGE wrote the autobiographical book ‘The Last Torpedo Flyers’ about his war-time service, including his time at R.A.F. Chivenor. He enjoyed the music of Beethoven, Mozart and Schubert, and the art of the Italian Renaissance. He played tennis in his early years, and cricket was a life-long interest. Arthur ALDRIDGE died on 20 December 2015, aged ninety-five years, and he was survived by his two sons, his daughter pre-deceasing him.

In comparison to ALDRIDGE, the careers of P/O Peter Inglis HALL, and P/O Richard Marklew ILIFF were less remarkable, although both survived tours flying the Beaufort aircraft, which was a remarkable achievement in itself. Both had trained in Canada before coming to R.A.F. Chivenor, and had been commissioned on 16 November 1940 as Pilot Officers, on probation. They were both promoted to the rank of Flying Officer (war substantive) on 16 November 1941, and to the rank of Flight Lieutenant (war substantive) one year later. It appears that both remained members of the R.A.F.V.R. after the war.

F/O ILIFF left R.A.F. Chivenor for the Torpedo Training Unit at R.A.F. Abbotsinch in Renfrewshire. On 14 September 1941, he was flying Bristol Beaufort Mk. I, N.1101, on a routine training sortie. As the aircraft came into land, it overshot the runway and struck a gun post. F/O ILIFF and the three air crew were uninjured. The Court of Inquiry determined that the pilot failed to observe the wind sleeve before landing, which showed that the wind direction had veered through 180 degrees since take-off.

ILIFF had been commissioned on 16 November 1940 from the rank of Leading Aircraftman (969072) as a Pilot Officer, on probation (service number 88041). He was promoted to the rank of Flying Officer (war substantive) on 16 November 1941, and to Flight Lieutenant (war substantive) on 16 November 1942. He had joined No. 22 Squadron after graduating from the Torpedo Training Unit, and on 26 November 1941, he was shot down while flying Bristol Beaufort Mk. I, L.9793, when attacking Lorient in the Bay of Biscay (AIR 81/10536). F/O ILIFF survived, and he was taken prisoner, as were two of his crew, Sgt A. J. TONKIN, and Sgt C. G. MEADER. 1061130 Sgt H. SMITH, the Observer, died in the crash. F/O ILIFF was incarcerated in Stalag Luft 3 at Sagan, and at Belaria, and he was released at the end of the Second World War.

Twenty-one-year-old 88040 F/O Charles Lindsay JENKINS, R.A.F.V.R. died on 9 December 1941, while serving with No. 22 Squadron. A son of James Thomas and Elizabeth Alice JENKINS of Rhiwbina, Glamorgan, he is commemorated on Panel 30 of the Runnymede Memorial. Twenty-one-year-old 89833 F/O Robert Baron SEDDON, R.A.F.V.R. died on 14 April 1942 while serving with No. 39 Squadron in the Mediterranean. The son of Frederick Percy and Mary E. SEDDON of Catforth, Lancashire, he is commemorated on Panel 3, Column 1 of the Malta Memorial. Also, twenty-one years of age, 89826 P/O Mark LEE, R.A.F.V.R. died on 9 December 1941 while serving with No. 217 Squadron, in the same attack for which P/O ALDRIDGE was awarded the D.F.C.. A son of Frederic William and Constance Mary LEE of Kibworth Harcourt, Leicestershire, he held a B.A. (Cantab). He is buried in Plot D, Row 15, Grave 4 of the Ameland (Nes) General Cemetery in the Netherlands.

89822 P/O James Richards HARRISON, R.A.F. was twenty-four years of age when he died on 26 September 1941, while serving with No. 217 Squadron. He is buried in Grave 619 of St. Giles the Abbot Churchyard, in Farnborough, Kent. Twenty-five-year-old 89820 F/L Thomas Hulton CARSON, R.A.F.V.R. survived his first tour serving with No. 217 Squadron, being awarded the D.F.C. for the attacks on the Scharnhorst in the English Channel. He died on 25 January 1943 while serving with No. 254 Squadron, a Beaufighter equipped squadron. CARSON was the son of Henry Johnston and Mona Beatrix Hulton CARSON, of Ditchling, Sussex. He was an Exhibitioner at Magdalene College, Cambridge, and gained an Honours Degree in Law. CARSON is commemorated on Panel 119 of the Runnymede Memorial. Twenty-seven-year-old 88671 P/O David Marcus BATLEY, R.A.F.V.R., died on 3 August 1941, while training with No. 3 (C) O.T.U. at R.A.F. Chivenor. He was the son of Frank and Annie BATLEY, of Thongsbridge, Yorkshire, and was a qualified Chartered Accountant. He is buried in Grave K.21 of the Lane Congregational Burial Ground in Yorkshire.

Of these thirteen men, seven did not survive the war. 89820 F/L Thomas Hulton CARSON, D.F.C. died on 25 January 1943, aged twenty-five years, while serving with No. 254 Squadron. He was the son of Henry Johnston and Mona Beatrice Hulton CARSON of Ditchling, Sussex. He was an Exhibitioner at Magdalene College, Cambridge and held an Honour Degree in Law. He is commemorated on Panel 119 of the Runnymede Memorial.

89822 P/O James Richards HARRISON died on 26 September 1941, aged twenty-four years. A pre-war member of the R.A.F., he was serving with No. 217 Squadron when he died. His is buried in St. Giles the Abbot Churchyard, Farnborough, Kent. 100561 Pilot Officer Paul Francis OPPERMAN, R.A.F.V.R. was the Observer for P/O HARRISON. He was aged nineteen years and died on 26 September 1941 with P/O HARRISON. He was the son of Percival Herman and Jessie OPPERMAN of Ventnor, Isle of Wight. He is buried in St. Matthew Churchyard at Rowde, Wiltshire. They were returning from an uneventful anti-shipping sortie when it crashed into a quarry near Helston in Cornwall. P/O HARRISON was flying in bad weather and had reduced height to get out of the cloud.

Twenty-one-year-old 89826 Pilot Officer Mark LEE, R.A.F.V.R. died on 9 December 1941 while serving with No. 217 Squadron. He was the son of Frederic William and Constance Mary LEE of Kibworth, Harcourt, Leicestershire, and held a B.A. (Cantab). He is buried in the Ameland (Nes) General Cemetery in the Netherlands. He crashed into the sea while attacking a convoy off the Dutch coast with other Beauforts.

89833 F/O Robert Baron SEDDON, R.A.F.V.R. was aged twenty-one years when he died on 14 April 1942 while serving with No. 39 Squadron. He was the son of Frederick Percy and Mary E. SEDDON of Catforth, Lancashire. On 14 April, ‘Ultra’ intercepts and Italian Naval signals identified an Axis convoy heading for Tripoli in Libya, which was escorted by several Italian and German warships. At midday, six torpedo armed Beauforts from No. 39 Squadron and two from No. 22 Squadron departed from Bu Amud airfield in Cyrenaica to strike the convoy and then return to Malta. Four Beaufighters from No. 272 Squadron were to act as an escort. The Beauforts were briefed to fly low, very low, across the sea while the Beaufighters covered them from above.

The Beauforts were led by F/L J. M. LANDER, who when they were seventy miles south-east of Malta, realised that the Beauforts must have missed the convoy, so turned to the south-west to continue the search. It was now that German fighters were sighted, and a Ju 88 was seen to be shadowing the Beaufort force. ‘It was at this time that the mistake was made which affected the success of the operation’ stated the subsequent official enquiry into the mission. The Beaufighters sighted the convoy but did not ascertain whether the convoy had also been seen by the Beauforts before turning towards Malta. The Beauforts, flying much lower than their escort at about 50 feet, had not sighted the Axis convoy and did not do so for another thirty minutes. The Beauforts, now devoid of escort, pressed on, but as they approached the convoy at wave top height, about fifteen to twenty Bf 109s of JG 53, six Bf 110s and a number of Ju 88s were seen patrolling overhead. The crews were alarmed at the prospect of having to evade the Messerschmitts, particularly the Bf 109s, such types not being anticipated so far out to sea, at least 120 nautical miles from Sicily The fighters pounced on the torpedo-bombers as the pilots attempted to line up on their chosen targets – the two largest transports, Reichenfels and Reginaldo Giuliani.

Flight Lieutenant LANDER (X.8924) and Pilot Officer BELFIELD (N.1100) went for the rear ship on the left, attacking from starboard, while LEANING’s section made for the same vessel from the port quarter; BEVERIDGE’s trio took the rear right-hand transport. Only five torpedoes were launched, three explosions being reported, with much smoke being seen from both ships, while a destroyer was also believed hit. The other three aircraft were forced to jettison their torpedoes when engaged by the fighters. In fact, none of the torpedoes struck home and no damage was done to any of the vessels. As soon as the torpedoes had been released, twenty-four-year-old Pilot Officer Bertram WAY’s aircraft (N.1166) was seen to have lost contact with the others of its section. WAY attempted to join up with LANDER’s section instead, but as he moved closer, he was attacked by a Bf 109 and shot down. The crew of an escorting Z.506B floatplane of the 170^a Squadriglia RM reported being attacked by three ‘Blenheims’, one of which was then shot down by a Messerschmitt; the Italians had undoubtedly witnessed the demise of WAY’s aircraft and crew. It seems likely that it fell to Feldwebel Ludwig REIBEL of 1./JG 53, who claimed a Beaufort shot down about 60 miles south-east of Malta. He reported: ‘Shortly before reaching the convoy our Gruppe noticed eleven (sic) low-flying Bristol Beauforts. We managed to drive them away from our convoy by attacking. I chased three Beauforts flying south-west and attacked the last one. On my second attack the aircraft was leaking fuel from its left side. On my fifth attack there was an explosion on the left side. The aircraft went into the water and crashed.’

A desperate race to reach distant Malta was now begun, as the remaining Beauforts stayed close above the water, taking violent evasive action. Their chances were slim, but they nearly made it. At 16:45, Malta was almost in sight when twenty-five-year-old Flight Lieutenant Robert G. W. BEVERIDGE’s luck ran out and his aircraft (N.1169) crashed into the sea. This was closely followed by another from his section, flown by twenty-one-year-old Flying Officer Robert SEDDON, whose crippled N.1186 ditched some six miles short of the Island. Flying Officer Derek BEE’s aircraft (X.8923) was seen flying low over Malta, endeavouring to line up for a landing, but a Messerschmitt appeared on his tail and shot the Beaufort down into the sea; there were no survivors.

Next to go down was Pilot Officer BELFIELD’s N.1100, four Bf 109s being seen buzzing around this until it ditched off Zurrieq, the crew taking to their dinghy. A nearby fishing boat which went to pick them up turned back owing to the presence of the Messerschmitts. Two fishermen in another boat disregarded the fighters and rescued the crew. In the meantime, another boat manned by L/Cpl. Julian SCIBERRAS and Paul D’AMATO went out to meet the fishing boat and two of the airmen were transferred to this.

Only three Beauforts now remained, and Flight Lieutenant John LANDER’s aircraft (X.8924) was the next singled out for attack as he made his final dash for safety. His badly damaged aircraft had sustained a twisted wingtip, caused by hitting the sea whilst taking evasive action and the gun turret was out of action. Dodging some of his pursuers by flying close to Dingli Cliffs, he managed to crash-land on the runway of Luqa airfield, without hydraulics and with the rudder stripped of fabric over three-quarters of its length. He and his crew escaped injury. Flying Officer S. W. GOOCH’s aircraft (N.1002) also got down, badly holed in the fuel tanks and with its hydraulic lines severed, while Flight Lieutenant A. T. LEANING’s W.6505 also landed safely; paradoxically, it had escaped even a single bullet hole!

Following the ditching, the crew from Flying Officer SEDDON’s aircraft had managed to extricate themselves, although two had been badly wounded, however, their dinghy had been holed, and would not inflate. Sergeant McGREGOR, whose back had been peppered with shrapnel, and Sergeant Alexander MILLER, one of the gunners, decided to swim for the shore. The wounded SEDDON and twenty-eight-year-old Sergeant Thomas KEEGAN remained with the sinking aircraft, supported by their Mae Wests, in the hope that an Air-Sea Rescue craft would spot them and pick them up. They perished, however, as did MILLER when exhaustion finally overtook him. Alone, McGREGOR swam for five hours before finally reaching a rocky cliff edge, from where he was rescued next morning.

It seems that pilots from JG 53 claimed the majority of the Beauforts. Feldwebel Reibel of 1./JG 53 claimed one at 16:05 (most probably Pilot Officers WAY’s N.1166) and Oberleutnant Quaet-Faslem of 2./JG 53 claimed one Beaufort at 16:45. Feldwebel Herbert Rollwage of 5./JG 53 claimed two Beauforts at 17:05 and 17:07 south of Qrendi while Feldwebel Alexander Kehlbuth of 5./JG 53 claimed one at 17:06. Two Bf 109s of II/JG 27 flew from Crete as escort to a Ju 52/3m, meeting a bomber en route, 40 km north-west of Derna, which Oberleutnant Simon shot down into the sea at 15:25. They claimed it as a Blenheim, but it is likely that it was one of the Beauforts lost..

J/4768 F/L Malcolm William McGREGOR, R.C.A.F. died on 20 August 1943 while serving as an Observer with No. 230 Squadron, R.C.A.F.. He was the son of Peter and Mary McGREGOR of Hamilton, Ontario, and is commemorated on Column 271 of the Alamein Memorial in Egypt.

100633 P/O Henry Leslie POWELL, R.A.F.V.R. served with No. 22 Squadron as an Observer and died on 5 November 1941, aged twenty-six years. He was the son of Albert and Lucy Anne POWELL, and he was married to Margaret Elizabeth POWELL of Norwood, Surrey. He is buried in St. Trojan-les-Bains Communal Cemetery in Charente-Maritime in France.

In addition, on 16 August five officers were posted in from No. 9 Bombing and Gunnery School. They were all Observers, and were: P/O A. H. GAMBLING, P/O A. A. TURNER, P/O S. J. POOLEY, P/O G. RACKOW, and P/O T. A. McGARRY.

Capt. R. MOIZAN, Free French Air Force, was posted to Chivenor on 16 August: the first foreign airman to serve on the unit, he was the forerunner of many more members of the Commonwealth and Allied Air Forces. On the same day, Sous Lieutenant R. CASPARIUS, F.F.A.F. was posted to R.A.F. Chivenor from No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre.

On 17 August, No. 7 Anson and Beaufort course was completed. W/C (A/G/C) CRACROFT, A.F.C., proceeded to H.Q. 10 Group and H.Q. Coastal Command. He returned two days later. No. 9 Anson and Beaufort course commenced on 18 August. On 21 August, a Court of Enquiry was assembled at 10.00 hours to enquiry into the illegal absence of 1350269 A.C.1 W. H. WATSON. The President was S/L L. B. B. KING and the Members were F/L R. M. POWER and P/O L. WOOD. A/400218 Sgt BROCKHOUSE, an Australian pilot, swung on landing in Anson N.5100 and hit an Airspeed Oxford, serial number L.4565 picketted at its parking position. There were no casualties.

A District Court Martial was assembled on 22 August for the purpose of trying 792057 Sgt K. ISKRZYCKI, P.A.F.. The President was W/C C. R. SMYTHE from R.A.F. Andover, with Members being S/L P. D. BAKER also from R.A.F. Andover and F/L R. KWIKIEWICZ from the R.A.F. Polish Depot at Blackpool. The Wating Member was F/L A. G. GARTNER from the R.A.F. Polish Depot, the Judge Advocate was S/L H. ELAM, Barrister at Law, with the Prosecutor being F/L I. A. MacCAULAY from the Judge Advocate’s Department.

Another District Court Martial was heard at 10.00 hours for the purpose of trying 622085 Cpl William Walker KETT from R.A.F. Chivenor. The President was the same, with S/L P. D. BAKER as a Member with F/L C. BLACK from R.A.F. Andover. The Waiting Member was F/L M. A. WATNEY from R.A.F. Chivenor but the Judge Advocate and Prosecutor were the same.

On 25 August P/O E. C. GEARY, A. & S.D. was posted from the Regional Control School to R.A.F. Chivenor for Regional Control Duties. A Board of Officers was convened on 26 August at 10.00 hours for the purpose of disposing of correspondence files belonging to No. 272 Squadron.

A Committee of Investigation was assembled at 10.00 hours to inquire into a motor transport accident involving Hillman R.A.F. 17058 on 4 August 1941. The President was P/O D. A. F. ALLMOND. An Air Raid Message Red was in force at 21.18 hours, with the All Clear given at 00.21 hours the next day.

There was another fatal air crash on 27 August when Avro Anson L.7072 failed to return from a local wireless training exercise. The pilot was S/Lt Karol SAPIEHA, F.F.A.F., a French national of Polish heritage. There were three Sergeants wireless operators under training on-board, and all four men were reported ‘Missing, presumed dead’.

A Committee of Investigation was formed at R.A.F. Chivenor at 10.00 hours on 29 August to enquire into a motor transport accident involving armament car No. 214875 on 31 July. The President was P/O D. JOHNSON. The wife of the U.S. Ambassador to the U.K., Mrs WINNANT, arrived by air at R.A.F. Chivenor en-route to the U.S.A. via Lisbon.

On 30 August, the fourth fatal air crash in the month occurred with the loss of Beaufort N.1160 while on a bombing exercise about ½ mile off Saunton Sands. The pilot, A/400149 P/O K. T. LITTLE, R.A.A.F., observer NZ/404383 P/O G. D. DOOLE, R.N.Z.A.F. and the two wireless operators/air gunners 1261741 Sgt D. R. READER and 1283171 Sgt F. P. PILKINGTON all died in the violent crash. P/O WOODHOUSE swung on landing in Beaufort L.9951 causing the aircraft to turn off the runway striking Anson R.9808 which was parked at its picketing point before P/O WOODHOUSE could bring his aircraft under control. There were no casualties. In addition, P/O H. HAMMOND, A. & S.D. was posted from No. 11 Elementary Flying Training School to R.A.F. Chivenor with effect from 7 August for Station Defence Duties. P/O A. EVANS, A. & S.D. and P/O A. R. MILNE-HENDERSON, A. & S.D. were posted from the Officers’ School at R.A.F. Uxbridge to R.A.F. Chivenor.

On the last day of the month, P/O E. BIRCHLEY swung to port on taking off in Beaufort N.1009 causing the undercarriage to collapse. There were no casualties. It was also reported that the monthly serviceability of aircraft was only 42%. The demand for aircrew by the operational squadrons being what it was at that stage of the war, it is not altogether surprising that the quality of the products sometimes suffered. An example of this is provided by the accident figures: the flying effort at this period was averaging about 1,700 hours a month and yet in August there were eight flying accidents, four of them fatal.

[1] Please see: ‘The Last Flight of Beaufort L.4478’.
[2] Please see: ‘The Last Flight of Beaufort L.9953’.

September 1941

On 1 September, a Board of Officers was assembled at R.A.F. Chivenor to audit the accounts of the Non-Public funds of this Station for the period ending 31 August. The President was S/L J. DAVIES, with Members P/O A. EARNSHAW and F.O C. LONGMAN. A Committee of Investigation was formed under F/L E. H. LEE at 10.00 hours to enquire into a motor transport accident involving Tractor R.A.F. 19421 and Fuel Tanker 14146 on 14 August. Another Committee of Investigation was formed under F/O A. McFADDEN to enquire into a motor transport accident that occurred on 25 August.

A series of postings was made to formally transfer the officers from No. 3 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit to No. 5 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit, even though for the officers concerned it was no more than a paper exercise. All took effect from 8 August 1941 and they were:

44652 P/O (A/F/O) C. J. LONGMAN, Accountant Branch – For Accountant Duties (F/L Post).
44651 P/O G. CHIPP, Equipment Branch – For Equipment Duties (F/L Post).
65415 P/O W. CAIRNS, Equipment Branch – For Equipment Duties (F/O or P/O Post).
732 A/S/O M. E. WILLIAMSON, W.A.A.F. – Supernumerary pending posting overseas and detached to Liverpool with effect from 28 August.
1872 A/S/O M. J. CARE, W.A.A.F. – Attached from No. 19 Group.
21130 F/L (A/S/L) T. A. HUNT, Medical Branch – For Medical Duties (S/L Post).
82484 F/O G. G. HARTILL, Medical Branch – For Medical Duties (F/L Post).
76948 F/O F. A. FYFE, A. &. S.D. – Posted from H.Q. No. 15 Group but detached back to H.Q. No. 15 Group.
73771 F/L M. A. WATNEY, A. &. S.D. – For Intelligence Duties.
61346 P/O R. ANDERSON, A. & S.D. – For Messing Duties.
77611 F/O J. E. BUCKLAND, Technical Branch – For Signals Duties.
83028 P/O A. D. KNIGHT, Technical Branch – For Electrical Engineer Duties.
26107 W/C G. K. FAIRTLOUGH, G.D. – For Duties as Chief Flying Instructor (W/C Post).
33089 S/L L. KING, G.D. – For Navigation Duties (S/L Post).
42036 F/O R. WEIR, G.D. – For Navigation Duties (F/O Post).
37713 F/L (A/S/L) S. BOAL, D.F.C., G.D. – For Flying Duties as Training Flight Commander (S/L Post)
39294 F/L (A/S/L) R. ANSTEAD, G.D. – For Flying Duties as Training Flight Commander (S/L Post).
39339 F/L (A/S/L) P. ROLT, G.D. – For Flying Duties as Training Flight Commander (S/L Post).
39471 F/L R. POWER, G.D. – For Flying Duties in Training Flight.
40943 F/L J. REID, G.D. – For Flying Duties in Training Flight.
40257 F/L D. SHAWE, G.D. – For Flying Duties in Training Flight.
70340 F/L D. IRELAND, G.D. – For Flying Duties in Training Flight.
41357 F/O W. ALLSOPP, G.D. – For Flying Duties in Training Flight.
41374 F/O R. CARR, G.D. – For Flying Duties in Training Flight.
45300 P/O L. WOOD, G.D. – For Flying Duties in Training Flight.
45357 P/O N. PETCH, G.D. – For Flying Duties in Training Flight.
45615 P/O N. HEARN-PHILLIPS, G.D. – For Flying Duties in Training Flight.
74194 P/O H. J. OUGHTON, G.D. – For Flying Duties in Training Flight.
43801 F/O (A/S/L) A. ATTRILL, Technical Branch – For Armament Duties (S/L Post).
39184 F/L (A/S/L) J. DAVIS, G.D. – For Synthetic Training Duties (S/L Post).
28145 F/L (A/S/L) L. E. CHISWELL, A. & S.D. – For Chief Ground Instructor Duties (S/L Post).
74438 F/L C. P. BRADY, A. & S.D. – For Administration Duties Maintenance Wing (F/L Post)
87828 P/O (A/F/L) J. HENDERSON, A. & S.D. – For Administration Duties, H.Q. Training Section (F/L Post).
42963 F/O (A/F/L) J. READ, G.D. – For Air Crew Duties (Air Gunner).
78547 F/O A. McFADDEN, G.D. – For Air Crew Duties (Air Gunner).
42441 P/O F. ROBSHAW, G.D.

The following officers were posted from No. 3 (C) O.T.U. to R.A.F. Chivenor.

S/L F. R. OFFEND, A. & S.D.
F/L H. THOMAS, A. & S.D.
P/O A. S. PINE-COFFIN, A. & S.D.
P/O A. V. EARNSHAW, A. & S.D.
44143 F/L H. W. GILL, Technical Branch
83372 F/L W. LOMAX, Technical Branch

In addition to the above, the other movements reported on 1 September 1942 were 89445 P/O (A/F/O) H. FLINTOFF, A. & S.D. who was attached to No. 2 Personnel Dispatch Centre at Wilmslow with effect from 23 August and 31206 F/L E. BRADFIELD, Equipment Branch, who was posted to S.D.L. for Equipment Duties with the British Air Staff in Washington, U.S.A. and proceeded to Liverpool for embarkation.

On 2 September, P/O G. DALES, A. &. S.D. and P/O N. PINCOTT, A. & S.D. were attached from No. 17 Group, and P/O L. WALLINGTON proceeded to H.Q. Coastal Command to collect documents and return the next day. The next day, an Air Raid Warning Red was issued at 22.52 hours, with the All Clear given at 23.14 hours.

On 4 September, a Summary of Evidence was held at R.A.F. Chivenor at 15.00 hours on 1265477 A.C.2 A. G. SMITH from No. 5 O.T.U. under the President F/O R. FOSTER. A Committee of Investigation was formed under P/O A. EARNSHAW to enquire into a motor transport accident involving vehicle No. 23239 on 20 August. 34215 S/L R. BURNS arrived on this date from R.A.F. Gosport in order to act as the President of a Court of Enquiry which was convened the following day. This was to enquire into the accident involving Beaufort N.1160 and had F/L G. REID and F/O ALLSOPP as members. On this date, 77263 F/O F. WOOD, 77572 F/O J. BARLCAY and 78060 F/O A. SALTON were posted from H.Q. C.C. as supernumerary for Regional Control Duties.

On 6 September, a Court of Enquiry was assembled at R.A.F. Chivenor at 10.00 hours to enquire into the flying accident involving Anson L.7072. This was the Anson flown by S/Lt Karol SAPIEHA, F.F.A.F. which was seen to crash into the sea off Hartland Point on 27 August, resulting in the deaths of the four air crew. The President was S/L L. CHISWELL, and the Members F/L D. SHAWE, D.F.C. and F/O R. FOSTER. Unfortunately, a copy of their report has not been located. There was an Air Raid Warning Red at 21.29 hours, with the All Clear given at 22.33 hours.

39995 F/L J. LAUGHLIN, G.D., arrived at R.A.F. Chivenor on 7 September from R.A.F. Gosport, and he returned to his unit the following day. 1181395 Sgt A. PATMORE swung on landing in Beaufort W.6480 causing the port undercarriage to collapse. No casualties were sustained. 5181 A/S/O V. ANTHONY, W.A.A.F. was appointed to the paid acting rank of Section Officer with effect from 16 August. 42844 F/O K. KENNY, G.D., proceeded to R.A.F. Gosport on this date and returned the next day under the authority of the Commanding Officer of R.A.F. Chivenor.

On 8 September, a Committee of Investigation was formed at R.A.F. Chivenor at 10.00 hours to investigate the loss of the turret from Blenheim aircraft, serial number V.5742, under the President, F/L W. LOMAX. At the same time, a District Court Martial was assembled for the purpose of trying 529963 Cpl Arthur Jesse WARD, who was based at R.A.F. Chivenor. The President was S/L L. BAKER from R.A.F. Andover, with F/L C. BLACK from the same base as one of the members. F/L J. LAUGHLIN from R.A.F. Gosport was the other member, with F/L D. IRELAND from R.A.F. Chivenor as the Waiting Member. The Prosecutor was F/L J. HENDERSON from R.A.F. Chivenor. The case was proved, and the Court sentenced Cpl WARD to be reduced to the ranks and to undergo forty-two days detention. The charge he faced is not known.

P/O A. EVANS and P/O A. MILNE-HENDERSON, A. & S.D. were both detached to H.Q. C.C. on 9 September. 2759 A/S/O P. D. CLARKE, W.A.A.F., was posted to R.A.F. Chivenor from R.A.F. Loughborough, while 881 A/S/O D. M. MYER, W.A.A.F., was posted from R.A.F. Silloth for Code and Cypher duties.

On 10 September, S/L DABBS, A. & S.D. was attached to R.A.F. Chivenor from H.Q. No. 16 Group. 85025 P/O L. BENDREY, G.D., was posted in from No. 1 R.A.F. Depot at Uxbridge. A/402148 P/O R. ARCHER, R.A.A.F., was required to force land Beaufort L.4454 in the sea about a quarter of a mile off Woolacombe Sands due to the failure of the starboard engine.[1] P/O ARCHER and his crew were carrying out a dive bombing practice in Barnstaple Bay when the engine failed as the aircraft was flying at 1,500 feet. The pilot was slightly injured, but there were no other casualties. The Beaufort, which was an early production model from the first batch of seventy-three aircraft delivered to the R.A.F. between November 1939 and June 1940, was not surprisingly written off. The aircraft had been issued new to No. 1 O.T.U. and then passed to No. 3 (C) O.T.U. before transferring to No. 5 (C) O.T.U. with the redesignation of the Beaufort O.T.U..

On 11 September, P/O N. PINCOTT and P/O G. DALES, A. & S.D. ceased to be on attachment to R.A.F. Chivenor and proceeded to No. 166 O.C.T.U. at Douglas on the Isle of Man. 1872 A/S/O M. CAREY, W.A.A.F. also ceased her attachment to R.A.F. Chivenor and returned to H.Q. No. 19 Group. F/L HALLEY, G.D., was attached to R.A.F. Chivenor from No. 217 Squadron. Sous Lieutenant C. SAPIEHA, who was missing following the loss of Anson L.7072, was formally posted to No.1 Depot, R.A.F..

A District Court Martial had been held on 22 August at R.A.F. Chivenor to hear a case against 792057 Sgt ISKRZYCKI of No. 5 (C) O.T.U.. On 12 September, he was sentenced to be reduced to the ranks and undergo twenty-eight days detention for when on Active Service, being the pilot of one of His Majesty’s aircraft flying it so as to be likely to cause unnecessary annoyance to a person. Karol ISKRZYCKI was born on 1 October 1912 and held the Polish rank of Kapral. He is believed to have died in London in 2005. On this date also, 22160 W/C J. CONSTABLE-ROBERTS, G.D., and 74243 S/L C. VOLK, A. &. S.D. were attached to R.A.F. Chivenor from H.Q. No. 16 Group.

90954 F/O (A/F/L) E. LEE, A. &. S.D. proceeded to H.Q. C.C. on 13 September and returned to the unit on 15 September having collected some important documents. The following six Canadian officers were posted from No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre at R.A.F. Bournemouth on 13 September, having recently arrived in the U.K., namely: J/5101 P/O P. ROPER, R.C.A.F., J/5103 P/O H. McKEE, R.C.A.F., J/5104 P/O W. STEVENS, R.C.A.F., J/5106 P/O C. WEIDENFELLER, R.C.A.F., J/5109 P/O F. REDFERN, R.C.A.F., and J/5111 P/O J. PATTON, R.C.A.F.

No. 8 Beaufort and No. 8 Anson Courses were both completed on 14 September. A/400149 P/O K. LITTLE, R.A.A.F., was posted to No. 1 R.A.F. Depot as he was still missing from the crash of Beaufort N.1160 on 30 August. 42441 F. O. F. ROBSHAW, G.D., was posted from No. 3 O.T.U. to No. 5 O.T.U. with effect from 8 August for Synthetic Training Instructor duties, he was then detached to No. 2 O.T.U. at R.A.F. Catfoss on the same date.

On 15 September, S/L W. LOVERING, G.D., was attached to R.A.F. Chivenor from R.A.F. Pembroke Dock, and 78266 F/O G. SPIERS was attached to R.A.F. Chivenor from R.A.F. Manby. 39471 F/L R. POWER, G.D., was appointed to the rank of Acting Squadron Leader with effect from 24 August. The next day, G/C P. D. CRACROFT, A.F.C., visited the H.Q. of No. 17 Group to discuss the establishment of R.A.F. Chivenor. 28145 F/L (A/S/L) L. CHISWELL. A. &. S.D., proceeded to the R.A.F. Hospital at East Grinstead and returned on 18 September. NZ/403591 F/O SMITH, R.N.Z.A.F., was posted to R.A.F. Chivenor from No. 1 Signals School at R.A.F. Cranwell. J/5115 P/O K. SANGSTER, R.C.A.F. was posted to R.A.F. Chivenor from No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre at Bournemouth.

37371 F/L Dermot Beaumont Millar WRIGHT, G.D., relinquished his commission on this date. This was an unusual event, and the circumstances that led to this resignation are not known. He was a pre-war officer in the R.A.F., who was granted a Short Service Commission as an Acting Pilot Office with effect from 7 October 1935. He was confirmed in his appointment and graded as a Pilot Officer one year later. WRIGHT had been promoted to the rank of Flying Officer on 7 May 1938 and Flight Lieutenant on 7 May 1940. WRIGHT was born in St. Leonards-on-Sea, Sussex, on 17 December 1914 and after the war he worked as an aircraft sales manager and lived in Bawtree Road, Uxbridge, Middlesex. He was awarded his Royal Aero Club Aviator’s Certificate as a private pilot on 24 July 1948. WRIGHT adopted by deed poll the hyphenated surname of BEAUMONT-WRIGHT on 28 July 1970 and died in North Devon in November 1998.

In addition, on 16 September, the following officers from No. 8 Beaufort course were posted to the Torpedo Training Unit at R.A.F. Abbotsinch, Renfrewshire. They were:

A/400144 P/O R. HOOPER, R.A.A.F.,
A/400153 P/O S. MUTIMER, R.A.A.F.,
A/400204 P/O H. LAWSON, R.A.A.F.,
A/402141 P/O R. ARCHER, R.A.A.F.,
A/402156 P/O R. DEVENISH-MEARES, R.A.A.F.,
A/404166 P/O W. THORNTON, R.A.A.F.,
A/404166 E. BIRCHLEY, R.A.A.F. – Pilot
NZ/40989 P/O D. SISLEY, R.N.Z.A.F.,
P/O S. KELLOW, – Pilot
P/O W. JONES,
88040 P/O C. JENKINS,
60558 P/O M. WOODHOUSE,
P/O H. RUSSELL,
P/O A. WELLS,
NZ/404131 P/O I. LEAHY, R.N.Z.A.F.

P/O S. KELLOW would appear to be 89825 P/O Stanley William KELLOW, D.F.C., R.A.F.V.R., who died on 5 June 1944 while serving with No. 489 Squadron, R.N.Z.A.F. in the rank of Squadron Leader. He is buried in the churchyard of St. Martin’s in Glandford, Norfolk. On that date, S/L KELLOW was undertaking some dual pilot day training with a junior officer in Bristol Beaufighter Mk. X, LZ.435. He had taken off at 11,35 hours with two other crew, namely:

NZ/414968 F/O D. L. B. CHAPMAN, R.N.Z.A.F. Pilot
152321 F/O S. FREEMAN, R.A.F.V.R. Navigator (R)

S/L KELLOW was giving a bombing demonstration but as the aircraft came in to land at R.A.F. Langham at 12.05 hours, it stalled and crashed inverted into the ground killing all three men instantly. When about 1,000 yards out from touching down, the aircraft was seen to wobble, the port wing dropped, and the Beaufighter flipped over turning to the left.

On 17 September, No. 10 Beaufort course commenced, but no Anson course was run concurrently as had been the case previously. A Committee of Investigation was assembled at 10.00 hours to investigate a matter which was placed before it under the President, F/O. J. E. BUCKLAND. G/C CRACROFT attended the opening of the Barnstaple Fair at the Guildhall in Barnstaple to represent R.A.F. Chivenor. 44938 F/L I. HILL, Tech, was attached to R.A.F. Chivenor from No. 217 Squadron.

On 18 September, 1181395 Sgt. A. H. PATMORE, was flying Beaufort L.4480 when he found that he was unable to lower the undercarriage of the aircraft. He made several attempts to drop the undercarriage without success, so brought the Beaufort in for a force landing with the undercarriage up. Both engines were shockloaded, both airscrews were bent, and the belly of the fuselage was damaged, but there were no casualties. L.4480 was repaired and continued in service with No. 5 (C) O.T.U. at R.A.F. Turnberry. It was lost on 20 August 1942 when it crashed into high ground hortly after takings off from its base, killing the four air crew onboard.

There was an Air Raid Warning Red issued at 21.22 hours, with the All Clear given at 23.42 hours. 78266 F/O G. SPIERS, Tech, ceased his attachment to R.A.F. Chivenor on this date and returned to No. 1 Air Armament School at R.A.F. Manby.

F/O D. KYD and P/O E. WILSON, A. & S.D., were both posted in from No. 13 Initial Training Wing at R.A.F. Torquay on 19 September. 40564 F/O A. PAUL, G.D., proceeded to Truro to return to the unit the next day. 42183 F/O D. BAYLISS, G.D., arrived for duty with R.A.F. Wrafton. On 20 September, P/O P. REED from No. 1257 Squadron, Air Training Corps was attached to R.A.F. Chivenor. 45615 P/O N. HEARN-PHILLIPS, G.D., ceased to be detached to the Central Flying School at R.A.F. Upavon and returned to Chivenor having completed his flying instructor’s course.

On 21 September, F/L B. PARSONS-SMITH, Medical Branch, was attached to R.A.F. Farnborough for an oxygen course. 76525 F/L (A/S/L) E. O’FARELL, A. & S.D., was detached to R.A.F. Rollestone for an anti-gas course.

A District Court Martial was convened at 10.00 hours on 22 September to hear a case against 517076 Sgt William James THOMAS and 616993 LAC Edward Thomas HUGHES. The former was on the strength of R.A.F. Chivenor and the latter at No. 5 (C) O.T.U.. The President was W/C W. JONES from H.Q. No. 50 Group, with the two members S/L H. RABAGLIATI, K.C., and F/L G. GRAY also coming from No. 50 Group. This was a Group within Flying Training Command. The Waiting Member was F/L W. LOMAX and the Prosecutor was P/O A. PINE-COFFIN. The result of the hearing was that Sgt THOMAS was reduced to the rank of Corporal and LAC HUGHES was sentenced to forty-two days detention. The nature of the charges is not known.

A Committee of Investigation was assembled at the Marine Craft Section at R.A.F. Appledore at 10.00 hours to investigate an accident involving A.M.B. 565 on 4 September under the President, F/L L. WYNNE-OWEN. 44925 F/O G. TAYLOR, G.D., ceased to be attached to R.A.F. Chivenor and returned to No. 217 Squadron.

P/O J. C. MERRETT was posted to Chivenor from R.A.F. Cranage, the home of the Central Navigation School for navigation duties. S/L R. P. M. GIBBS, G.D., was posted from No. 22 Squadron with effect from 30 September for Flying Instructor duties. J/5101 P/O K. ROPER, R.C.A.F. swung to starboard on landing in Beaufort X.8932, however, the strain was too great for the undercarriage which collapsed. There were no casualties.

On 23 September, 77914 P/O D. K. FORSDYKE, G.D., was posted from R.A.F. Ferry Command to Chivenor. There was an Air Raid Warning Red issued at 20.55 hours, with the All Clear given at 22.29 hours. The next day, P/O S. WILDMAN, A. & S.D. was posted from No. 17 Group and F/L B. G. PARSONS-SMITH returned from R.A.F. Farnborough where he had been attending a course. On 25 September, Sgt N. SMALLWOOD, G.D., was appointed to a commission as a Pilot Officer on probation with effect from 15 August 1941.

On 26 September, 931094 Sgt J. DURRANT crash landed Beaufort N.1116 on mud in the river bed (the tide being out) near the Marine Hotel in Instow at 17.15 hours. This was because the starboard engine failed a few minutes after taken off. There were no casualties. G/C CRACROFT left R.A.F. Chivenor for a tour of inspection or aerodrome sites in South Wales. He returned on 28 September. G/C L. M. ILES, Tech, arrived at Chivenor on this date from H.Q. Coastal Command and left to travel onward to R.A.F. St. Eval the next day.

P/O E. C. GEARY, A. & S.D. was reposted to R.A.F. Chivenor with effect from 30 August for Regional Control Duties in a Flight Lieutenant’s post on 27 September. A/P/O P. REED from No. 1257 Sqn, A.T.C. ceased to be attached to R.A.F. Chivenor on this date. F/O R. SPENCER-SCHRADER, G.D., was detached to the Central Flying School at R.A.F. Upavon for a flying instructor’s course. On 28 September, A/S/O I. M. PELLITT, W.A.A.F. was posted from R.A.F. Bridgnorth to Chivenor.

On 29 September, a Committee of Investigation assembled at R.A.F. Chivenor at 10.00 hours to investigate the loss of clocks from Magister aircraft L.8052 under the President, F/L G. W. PAUL. 90954 F/O E. H. LEE, A. &. S.D., was posted to No. 1 Air Armament School at R.A.F. Manby. A Committee of Investigation was assembled at 10.00 hours to investigate the accident to Beaufort L.4480 that occurred on 18 September under W/C O. I. GILSON, A.F.C..

On 30 September, a Summary of Evidence was held at R.A.F. Chivenor at 14.30 hours on NZ/40851 Cpl E. A. GARTY, of R.A.F. Station Chivenor. The President was P/O. A. V. EARNSHAW. The monthly aircraft serviceability for September was 42%.

[1] The O.R.B. gives the serial number of the Beaufort as N.4454 which is incorrect.

October 1941

The start of the month saw fair weather with scattered showers. 83025 F/O (A/F/L) M. SILYN-ROBERTS, A. & S.D., was reposted to R.A.F. Chivenor with effect from 28 August for Regional Control Duties, and then he was appointed to the unpaid rank of Squadron Leader with effect from 1 September. 39294 F/L (A/S/L) R. ANSTRAD, G.D., was posted to No. 86 Squadron with effect from 27 September. W/C MURDOCH, R.A.A.F. was posted to No. 221 Squadron with effect from 1 September. 70340 F/L D. IRELAND, G.D., was promoted to the rank of Temporary Squadron Leader with effect from 3 September. Finally, 33089 S/L L. KING, G.D., was promoted to the rank of Wing Commander (Temporary) with effect from 1 September.

On 2 October, the weather was cloudy with visibility of between four and six miles, but otherwise nothing of note occurred. The same applied the next day and on 4 and 5 October. There were thunderstorms on 6 October and then an Air Raid Warning Red issued at 21.12 hours, with the All Clear given at 21.42 hours. On 7 October, No. 5 O.T.U. lost one of its Flight Commanders when Anson N.5197 crashed into the sea in Morte Bay. The pilot was 39339 S/L P. C. ROLT, with 64894 P/O D. A. ALLMOND acting as wireless operator. In addition, there were two naval officers on-board, both of whom were serving on a H.M. Motor Launch based locally. The four men died when the aircraft crashed into the sea and none of their bodies were recovered for burial.

The weather was overcast for the next two days, and on 10 October, the weather was fair with scattered showers and periods of rain. The wind was westerly, between 10 and 20 mph. 563560 F/Sgt H. H. NETTLETON, R.A.F., met with a fatal accident when his aircraft, Beaufort L.9858, crashed near the village of Fremington about four miles south of Chivenor aerodrome. He was undertaking a solo night flying exercise when he crashed. W/C CONSTABLE-ROBERTS ceased to be attached to R.A.F. Chivenor on this date.

On 11 October, the eight-week-long No. 9 Beaufort Course was completed. Six pilots, six observers and twelve wireless operators/air gunners were posted to the Torpedo Training Unit at R.A.F. Abbotsinch in Renfrewshire. Three complete crews were posted directly to No. 217 Squadron, while three more were posted to R.A.F. Kemble for posting overseas. One crew of pilot, observer and two wireless operator/air gunners were retained as members of No. 10 Beaufort Course.

On 12 October, 931094 Sgt D. J. DURRANT took off airborne from Chivenor at 19.35 hours in Beaufort L.4441 on a night cross-country. After being lost for several hours, he eventually made a forced landing at Ternhill aerodrome at 23.30 hrs. None of the crew was injured but some damage was caused to the aircraft. At Chivenor, an Air Raid Warning Red was issued at 03.38 hours with the All Clear given at 03.51 hours.

The weather was cloudy with occasional rain on 13 October. The O.R.B. recorded that two officers from R.A.F. Chivenor were Mentioned in Despatches by the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief. They were A/S/L T. A. HUNT, M.B., Ch.B. and A/S/L A. W. ATTRILL. The third fatal accident in the month occurred on this date, when J/5109 P/O F. REDFERN, R.C.A.F. and 907647 LAC W. R. SOADY died with the crash of Beaufort L.9951 about two miles north of Braunton.

On 15 October, No. 11 Beaufort Course commenced for an extended ten-week period. There were sixteen pilots, seventeen observers and thirty-four wireless operators/air gunners on this course. The weather was poor for a period of four days with overcast clouds and visibility of only a couple of miles. In spite of this, on 21 October, Mr Clement ATTLEE, the Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the Labour Party, arrived at R.A.F. Chivenor by air. He was met by G/C CRACROFT and after a short break, he proceeded on his way to the United States and Canada via Lisbon. 75846 F/L (A/S/L) W. P. LEWIS, A. & S.D., was posted from No. 31 Group for admin duties.

05237 W/C E. C. KIDD, G.D., was posted from No. 233 Squadron on 23 October for duty as the Chief Flying Instructor at No. 5 (C) O.T.U.. The next day, there was an Air Raid Warning Red issued at 21.50 hours, with the All Clear given at 22.00 hours. There was another warning on 25 October issued at 20.08 hours until withdrawn at 22.11 hours.

On 26 October, A/404502 P/O R. W. HOPKINS, R.A.A.F., forced landed in Beaufort N.1080 due to the failure of the port engine. There were no casualties. On 27 October, 26107 W/C Geoffrey Kinglake FAIRTLOUGH, G.D., was posted to the Special Duties List (S.D.L.). This list was for personnel who were held on the strength of the R.A.F. Depot at Uxbridge while they were not on the establishment of an R.A.F. unit, and included Attaches, attachments to foreign governments and to Army or Navy units or formations. On 28 October, there was an Air Raid Warning Red issued at 21.49 hours which lasted until 22.18 hours. The next warning occurred on 22.35 hours on 30 October, with the All Clear given at 23.00 hours. On 31 October, 748795 Sgt PITMAN was demonstrating a gliding approach in aircraft Anson N.9725 when he struck some wires stretched across the valley. The aircraft sustained slight damage but there were no casualties. No. 5 (C) O.T.U. completed 1,524 hours flying in daylight in the month of October, with 135 hours flown by night. The monthly aircraft serviceability was 46%.

November 1941

On 1 November, the month began with an Air Raid Warning Red being declared at 22.30 hours. The weather was mainly fair with some showers, with the wind from the north-east at between 15 and 20 m.p.h. with visibility of three to five miles. The weather was similar over the next two days. On 4 November, there was a tragedy when Beaufort L.9961 was engaging in formation flying with Beaufort N.1087 when they collided. Beaufort L.9961 was badly damaged and the pilot was unable to control the aircraft as it crashed into the ground near Fremington. The pilot, an American serving with the R.C.A.F., P/O WEIDENFELLER, was killed, as was his observer 944255 Sgt G. F. NEALE, and the two wireless operators/air gunners 920839 Sgt K. J. DIERDEN and 954176 Sgt L. R. GRIFFIN. Beaufort N.1087 sustained slight damage to its bomb doors and port airscrew, but the pilot made a normal landing.

In addition, on 4 November, 1376366 Sgt R. W. G. STEPHENS crash landed in Beaufort L.4505 due to an engine stalling. The port oleo leg and engine were torn off. There were no casualties. The aircraft was one of the seventy-three Beauforts delivered to the R.A.F. between November 1939 and June 1940, the first batch of production aircraft manufactured by the Bristol Aeroplane Company. The aircraft had served with No. 42 Squadron before being allocated to No. 3 (C) O.T.U. and passing to No. 5 (C) O.T.U. when the unit at R.A.F. Chivenor was redesignated. Possibly in view of its age and service, the damage was assessed as not viable for repair and the aircraft was written off as a constructive loss.

Nothing of note occurred on 5 November, but the next day there was an Air Raid Warning Red issued at 20.45 hours, with the All Clear given at 21.02 hours. The Station became capable of effectively mounting operational missions on 7 November 1941, when the operations room was first manned. This room was in Eastacombe Farm, as a precaution against enemy air attack. The following day, a detachment of six Hudsons of 59 Sqn., arrived for operations under their Commanding Officer, W/C GRECE, D.F.C. They carried out a number of anti-submarine patrols, but without any contact with the enemy. They ceased their detachment on 10 November after just two days.

On 9 November, an instructor at No. 5 (C) O.T.U., F/O SPENCER-SCHRADER, was practicing a gliding approach with a pupil in Beaufort N.1023 when the aircraft stalled and landed so heavily that the starboard undercarriage collapsed and the port engine fell out. There were no casualties and the aircraft was repaired and continued in use at R.A.F. Turnberry until it was lost on 27 May 1942. F/O (A/F/L) A. E. CLARKE was posted from R.A.F. Pembroke Dock for signals instructor duties in a Squadron Leader’s post. F/O (A/F/L) W. B. HARVEY was posted from No. 42 Squadron for a Squadron Leader’s flying instructor’s post, i.e., as a Flight Commander.

The weather was fair with showers on 10 November as it was on 11 November although scattered thundery showers developed later in the day. On this latter date No. 10 Course completed training. Six crews were detached to R.A.F. Kemble in preparation for service overseas, one wireless operator/air gunner was posted to R.A.F. Silloth and the rest of the crews were posted to the Torpedo Training Unit at R.A.F. Abbotsinch.

On 12 November, W/C O. I. GILSON, A.F.C., assumed command of R.A.F. Chivenor vice G/C P. D. CRACROFT, A.F.C., who proceeded on leave. There was nothing of note until 17 November, when the weather deteriorated with thundery showers and gusts of wind up to 60 mph. At 19.33 hours, there was an Air Raid Warning Red issued at 19.33 hours, with the All Clear given at 19.51 hours. On 18 November, F/L (A/S/L) G. R. BRADY was posted from No. 48 Squadron for a Squadron Leader’s Flying Instructor’s post. G/C CRACROFT returned from his leave on 19 November and re-assumed command of R.A.F. Chivenor.

On 19 November, No. 12 Course commenced training for an extended ten-week course. There were twenty-four pilots, twenty observers and thirty-nine wireless operators/air gunners, which was only sufficient to make nineteen complete crews. On 20 November, the weather was fair with occasional rain. The next day, the weather was similar and there was an Air Raid Warning Red issued at 19.25 hours, with the All Clear given as 19.46 hours. On 22 November, there was another storm that blew across Chivenor with occasional showers but winds of up to 50/60 mph. This weather continued into the next day although the winds moderated later on. There was another Air Raid Warning Red issued at 19.47 hours, with the All Clear at 20.58 hours. On 24 November, a special refresher course commenced for nine wireless operators/air gunners, and again the weather was poor with squally showers and hill fog.

On 25 November, W/C H. A. B. ROBB, A. & S.D., arrived from No. 27 Group in the morning and departed in the afternoon of 26 November to R.A.F. Abingdon. The purpose of his visit was an enquiry re the formation of a new training school for wireless operators and air gunners. On 26 November, 754972 Sgt C. M. ADAMS crash landed in Beaufort L.4495 one mile west of the aerodrome due to the petrol tanks running dry while gauge showed fifty-five gallons. No casualties were sustained. The Beaufort was written off after this accident, having been one of the first production group of aircraft delivered to the R.A.F. between November 1939 and June 1940. It had been a training aircraft for all of its life, having started with the Coastal Command Land Pilots Pool when new. It had then been allocated to No. 1 (C) O.T.U. and afterwards to No. 3 (C) O.T.U., passing to No. 5 (C) O.T.U. when the Beaufort O.T.U. was redesignated in August 1941.

An event of some note occurred at 21.45 hours on 26 November 1941. While night-flying was in progress, the duty Flying Control Officer noticed that there was one set of lights too many in the circuit. Unable to identify the aircraft concerned, he gave orders that it should be allowed to land. When it touched down, it was identified as a Ju 88, and a smart burst of machine gun fire effectively prevented the pilot from taking off again.

On interrogation, it was discovered that the aircraft had been bombing the Midlands; after carrying out their attack, the crew lost their way and strayed over Wales. When they reached the Bristol Channel, they wrongly identified it as the English Channel and landed at the first airfield which they saw in what they thought was occupied France. By the time they realised their mistake, they had presented the R.A.F. with an intact aircraft and crew! The aircraft was later flown to Farnborough, escorted by a Hudson to prevent any unfortunate misunderstandings, where it joined a ‘circus’ of captured enemy aircraft. In October 1942, this ‘circus’ visited Chivenor under F/L FORBES and gave flying and ground demonstrations of a Me 110 and a He 111 as well as the Ju 88.

Landing of Junkers 88, on Chivenor Aerodrome at approximately 21.45 hours on 26/11/41

At 21.30 hours, while night flying pupils were doing circuits and landings the Officer i/c Night Flying was informed by observers outside his office as ‘B’ Flight dispersal hut, that an extra aircraft had joined the circuit.

He went outside and the machine in question fired a RED Verey light, then a RED GREEN two star cartridge, followed by another RED Verey light.

He then gave orders for Night Flying to cease temporarily and phoned Flying Control to allow the aircraft to land, being under the impression that it was a Beaufighter in difficulties, as there were no enemy aircraft in the vicinity.

However, as the aircraft appeared in the Chance Light Beam, he identified it as a ‘Junkers 88’. By this time, he was proceeding across the aerodrome in service transport, accompanied by P/O TWOMEY.

They then hastily drove towards the Operations Block, and the Officer i/c Night Flying instructed P/O TWOMEY to tell Flying Control to put out all lights and warn Station Defence to fire at any aircraft attempting to take off.

He then entered the Operations Room and availed himself of the Thompson sub-machine gun, which is kept there, and on hurrying outside found the enemy aircraft had taxied towards the Operations Block.

With the aid of a torch he endeavoured to instruct the pilot to switch off his engines; the pilot failed to do so and immediately swung round facing the aerodrome revving up as he did so.

Suspicious of these actions, the Officer i/c Night Flying fired two bursts of about seven rounds each into the cockpit from the starboard quarter of the aircraft, the pilot hurriedly switched off, and the crew in turn shouted ‘Don’t shoot’.

He ordered them out of the aircraft and disarmed them, a guard was formed by the airmen who were there, and the prisoners escorted to the Operations Room.

The Medical Officer was informed, as one of the crew had been wounded by the machine gun fire.

As soon as the aircraft was under guard and the prisoners secure. The Officer i/c Night Flying informed the Station Commander, the Guard Room, and in addition Wing Commander KIDD, the Chief Instructor.

All prisoners were kept silent and under guard until the Station Commander appeared, when they were taken into custody pending the arrival of F/O RICKETTS the A.I.K. Interrogation Officer, who arranged for their conveyance to London. The aircraft was inspected by F/Lt. BROWN the A.I.G. Crash Inspector, and instructions were given to repair the tail plane which had apparently been damaged by one of the jettisoned external bomb racks as it fell.

These repairs were effected and the aircraft was painted with standard British markings and eventually was flown to Farnborough by two Farnborough Staff Pilots on 11 December 1941.

A detachment of Whitleys of 502 Squadron under 19 Group, was attached to Chivenor with effect from 28 November. There were two Air Raid Warnings Red issued, the first between 18.53 hours and 20.50 hours, and the second between 22.00 hours and 22.32 hours. The end of the month of November was relatively quiet. During the month, 1,395 flying hours had been completed in daylight, and 210 hours at night. The monthly aircraft serviceability of the unit was 42%.

January 1942

The new year began with cloudy weather and a small amount of rain. The first item of note occurred on 5 January, when 776127 Sgt R. MARSH in landing in Beaufort L.9812 caused damage to the port wing tip when it struck the ground. There were no casualties. Two days later, 1375230 Sgt George Charles HOLT, R.A.F.V.R. was flying Beaufort N.1028, when on landing the aircraft sustained damage to the tail wheel, which broke off and resulting in the aircraft swinging off the runway. There were no casualties.

On 11 January, 106242 P/O S. M. SHUTE carried out the normal landing procedure in Beaufort L.4503, but when he was about to turn off the runway and travelling at about 10 mph, the port undercarriage collapsed. There were no casualties. On 12 January, S/L H. G. D. DEVEY was posted in from No. 233 Squadron for Navigation duties. On 13 January, Sgt HOLT was in trouble again. He was taxying Beaufort L.9795 prior to a solo night flight when he ran into Beaufort N.1083 which was stationary. Both aircraft were damaged but were repaired. Beaufort L.9795 survived until it was returned to Bristol on 29 March 1945, and Beaufort N.1083 was later transferred to No. 1 Torpedo Training Unit and was struck off charge on 25 July 1944.

Sgt HOLT was not so fortunate. He completed his course at R.A.F. Chivenor and was posted to No. 86 Squadron. On 17 July 1942, No. 86 Squadron was transferring to the Mediterranean, and had flown to R.A.F. Portreath in Cornwall in readiness to fly out to Gibraltar and onwards to Malta. On 25 July 1942, Sgt HOLT was flying Beaufort Mk. II, AW.274 (U/86), with his air crew of Sgt W. RAMSDEN, observer, and wireless operators/air gunners Sgt J. R. HODGSON and Sgt G. OWEN. Beaufort U/86 was taking off when the aircraft stalled, and a wing hit the ground. It then hit a Westland Whirlwind P.7116 and crashed. The Beaufort was destroyed by fire. Sgt HOLT died in the crash, but his observer and wireless operator/air gunners all escaped with their lives. The observer was injured, but the other two were uninjured. Twenty-six-year-old George HOLT was the son of George Wills and Ethel HOLT, and husband of Ala L. HOLT of Colindale, Middlesex. He was buried in Section G.10, Grave 53424 of the Hendon Cemetery and Crematorium.

On 14 January 1942, two aircraft from R.A.F. Chivenor was lost on the same day. The weather was cloudy during daylight and there was a frost. The visibility ranged from 2,000 yards to 4 miles, with a light, south-easterly wind blowing. In the early hours of 14 January 1942, Beaufort Mk. I N.1025 took off from R.A.F. Chivenor on a night flying exercise. The air crew were:

1169110          Sgt T. C. JUNG, R.A.F.V.R.                                            Pilot & Captain
1052893          Sgt H. N. SMITH, R.A.F.V.R.                                         Observer
645182            F/Sgt D. W. PIKE, R.A.F.                       .                       WOp/AG
637476            F/Sgt D. A. BOOTH, R.A.F.                                           WOp/AG

Shortly after take-off, at about 00.45 hours, N.1025 crashed into the ground near Marwood, about three miles east of Chivenor. All four crew on board died in the crash.[1] The precise cause was never determined, but it appears to have been a case of a controlled flight into terrain.

Later that same day, P/O T. D. DAWSON died when Beaufort L.9796 crashed near Appledore, North Devon, while engaged on a solo training flight. Observers on the ground then saw DAWSON’s Beaufort emerge from the cloud flying low and losing height, with the aircraft being in obvious difficulty. The Beaufort crashed into the ground in an orchard at Whitehouse Lane, Appledore, at about 16.30 hours. The aircraft caught fire, and it was destroyed in the impact, with P/O DAWSON dying instantly from multiple injuries. P/O WHITE, an Australian on Course No. 13, recorded in his diary that at around 17.00 hours, a pilot crashed and dashed himself to pieces. He describes the pilot, who he named as DAWSON, as a ‘Nice Chap’.[2] His body was recovered and taken to his home on the Wirral in Cheshire for burial.

The cause of the crash was attributed to engine failure, and the inability of the Beaufort to maintain height on one engine. Thomas Derwent DAWSON was born on 23 June 1921 on the Wirral in Cheshire, meaning he was twenty-years of age when he died, and he was the younger son of Thomas and Doris DAWSON. His home address was ‘Stivelooms’, Village Road, Heswall, Wirral, Cheshire, and his father was a departmental manager. His funeral was held at Heswall Parish Church at 12.30 pm on 29 January 1942.

On 16 January, the weather was cloudy with rain most of the day. The visibility was two to four miles and the wind south-easterly at a strength of 35 knots. S/L LEIGH arrived from H.Q.C.C. in connection with the operational trials being undertaken by No. 1417 Flight with the Wellington Mk. VIII aircraft fitted with the A.S.V. radar and Leigh Light. The weather on the next day was continuous raid until dusk, and it was also poor on 18 January but with better visibility. It was back to continuous rain on 19 January, with 10/10 cloud cover and a base of only 500 feet.

The weather was improved on 20 December, although it remained cloudy. 41374 F/L R. L. B. CARR was giving A/402850 P/O R. L. CONDON, R.A.A.F. dual night flying instruction that night. They entered cloud at 900 feet and climbed to 14,000 feet in an attempt to break through the cloud, but they were unable to do so. At this height, severe icing conditions set in, with temperatures of -40 degrees Centigrade, and at full throttle it was possible only to attain 100 knots indicated airspeed. Both officers decided to abandon the Beaufort and did so at 06.13 hours making successful descents by parachute without sustaining any injuries. The aircraft crashed at Watchfield, near Highbridge in Somerset and was burnt out. The aircraft involved was Bristol Beaufort Mk. I, N.1079,

Nothing of note occurred on 21 or 22 January, when the weather was cloudy but otherwise not too bad for flying activity. Nothing else of note occurred until 27 January when No. 12 Course ceased training. Thirteen crews (deficient of two wireless operators/air gunners) were posted to the Torpedo Training Unit at R.A.F. Abbotsinch for the next and last stage of their training. Six crews were posted to R.A.F. Honeybourne pending their posting overseas. No. 14 Course commenced their training on 28 January, which was to last ten weeks and conclude on 8 April 1942. This course comprised twenty-two pilots, nineteen observers, and thirty-seven wireless operators/air gunners, which would only form eighteen complete four-man crews for the Beaufort.

On 31 January, 26250 W/C M. F. D. WILLIAMS was flying Beaufort L.9963 with S/L S. M. BOAL, D.F.C. was his instructor. The starboard engine of the aircraft failed as the pilot was coming in to land at R.A.F. Chivenor at 12.35 hours. S/L BOAL took over the control column and landed the aircraft onto a sandbank, from which it slithered into the River Taw. Both officers travelled to the shore unhurt in a rubber dinghy. S/L BOAL immediately organised the recovery of the aircraft from the river and it was dragged back onto dry land. It was repaired and re-entered service with No. 5 (C) O.T.U.. It was later transferred to No. 9 (C) O.T.U. and was struck-off-strength on 31 March 1944 after the undercarriage collapsed at R.A.F. Crosby-on-Eden.

The number of hours flown in daylight by the unit was 1,520, with 321 hours flown by night. The average monthly serviceability was 56.6%.

[1] AIR 28/152
[2] Taken from the diary of P/O Reginald Alan WHITE, R.A.A.F.

February 1942

On 1 February, the weather was intermittent rain with visibility of four to six miles, and the wind was from the north-west with a speed of 15 mph. Flying conditions were improved the next day although with drizzle and low cloud as dusk approached. The weather was similar on 3 February with the wind now from the south-east. 4 February 1942 was a changeable day, with rain after 16.00 hours which reduced visibility from six to two miles.

On 5 February, the weather was cloudy with slight snow showers, visibility was between six and twelve miles and wind was from the north-east at 15 mph. That evening, No. 5 O.T.U. suffered the loss of one of its aircraft, together with the four air crew. Bristol Beaufort Mk I W.6479 took off at about 19.00 hours on a routine night navigation exercise and failed to return. It was presumed to have crashed into the sea at approximately 21.15 hours off Hartland Point, but in spite of extensive searches, no trace of the aircraft or any of the crew was discovered.

776132            Sgt T. P. O’RIORDAN, R.A.F.V.R.                                  Pilot & Captain
R/59779          Sgt H. E. JOHNSON, R.C.A.F.                                       Observer
R/74183          Sgt W. A. PICKERING, R.C.A.F.                                     WOp/AG
R/58533          Sgt D. M. LINDSAY, R.C.A.F.                                        WOp/AG

On 6 February, the weather was cloudy with the cloud base down to about 4,000 feet. At about 06.00 hours, Bristol Beaufort Mk. I L.4499 took off from R.A.F. Chivenor on a routine night flying training sortie. It crashed shortly after taking off into a house in Down Road, Braunton. The house was called ‘Sundown’ and it caught fire in the crash. The occupant, Miss Esther CANTOR, was rescued and taken to the North Devon Infirmary, where she died the next day. She was an evacuee from Ramsgate in Kent. F/O SPENCER-SCHRADER was acting as a screened pilot, instructing P/O A. H. D. REFFELL as a student pilot. The third member of air crew, a wireless operator/air gunner, was on board the aircraft as it took off. All three air crew died instantly in the crash.

81647              F/O R. F. SPENCER-SCHRADER, R.A.F.V.R.                              Pilot (Screened)
101010            P/O A. H. D. REFELL, R.A.F.V.R.                                               Pilot (Student)
802520            F/Sgt W. L. HEAVISIDES, R.A.F. (A.A.F.)                                   WOp/AG

On the same date, 1252573 Sgt A. S. BEESON overshot when landing in Anson N.5359 and had to swing off the runway. The undercarriage collapsed, but there were no casualties.

On Saturday, 7 February, the weather was cloudy with light snow before dawn. The visibility was between six and twelve miles and the wind easterly and light, increasing to 15 mph. For the third day in succession, R.A.F. Chivenor suffered the loss of an aircraft and its air crew. At 20.23 hours, Sgt MELDRUM and his crew took off from R.A.F. Chivenor on a night navigational exercise. The aircraft was seen to climb to at least 800 feet, then disappeared. It failed to return to base, and was reported missing that evening, having been presumed to have come down over the sea.

The next morning, the wreckage was seen from R.A.F. Chivenor to be lying at West Ashford, just about a mile from the base. Personnel from Chivenor attended the scene immediately, only to find the Beaufort destroyed, and that all four air crew were deceased. They were:

1071846          Sgt V. MELDRUM, R.A.F.V.R.                                     Pilot & Captain
A/405021        Sgt C. C. McLENNAN, R.A.A.F.                                     Observer
1123506          Sgt N. BATTRAM, R.A.F.V.R.                                        WOp/AG
1121730          Sgt G. A. BLACKWOOD, R.A.F.V.R.                              WOp/AG

Between 5 and 7 February 1942 there were three fatal accidents at night in Beauforts, which at the time were thought to be due to engine failure. In consequence, a conference of all instructors was called by the Chief Instructor and it was decided that there was to be no more night flying in aircraft fitted with Taurus VI engines. The report on this meeting is as follows:

Following the series of fatal accidents which occurred on the 5^th to 7^th February 1942, a meeting of all the instructors was called by the Chief Instructor. The Chief Engineer Officer attended and it was decided that night flying should be discontinued in all aircraft fitted with the Taurus VI engines. Taurus XII’s which are expected to prove more airworthy were to be fitted as soon as they were received and all Taurus Vis were to be changed every ninety hours’ running.

Further, it was decided that it must now be admitted that the Taurus VI engine was completely unreliable and that in an effort to keep up morale, all pilots under instruction should be taught with greater care than usual every possible safety precaution and wise and careful methods of flying while at the same time they were punched full of the excellent operational qualities of the aircraft.

On Sunday 8^th, the Commanding Officer and Chief Instructor were invited to meet the A.O.C. in London on 10.2.42 and discuss the situation with him. This was done and the A.O.C. No. 17 Group, Commanding Officer and Chief Instructor, Chivenor visited Coastal Command on 10.2.42. In conference with the A.O.C.-in-C. the decision to stop all night flying on Taurus VIs was confirmed, and further, it was decided to that no overseas navigation exercise should be done on these engines. The C. in C. directed that all available Taurus XIIs should be diverted to No. 5 O.T.U. and ordered that we should make all efforts to fit these XIIs in pairs into our Beauforts as soon as they arrived at the aerodrome. A plea was entered to try to get the Beaufort IIs fitted with Pratt and Whitney engines but it was explained that this would cause hardship in the operational squadrons and it finally decided that when sufficient Taurus XIIs were available to equip the squadrons the Beaufort IIs might then be withdrawn from them and diverted to No. 5 O.T.U.

On return to Chivenor the Chief Instructor called a meeting of the Flight Commanders and it was decided to form a Night Flying Flight of nine aircraft which were the first nine to be fitted with Taurus XIIs. From 7^th until 23^rd February, there was no night flying. A new Night Flying Flight had been ready to function on the 19^th but weather had prevented it. On 23.2.42 the new Flight got into its stride and up to date has done 15 hours and 18 hours night flying on two respective nights and promise to be very successful.

The Operational Flight is at present suffering a decline in its flying time as changing of the Taurus Vis for the XIIs in now progressing in this Flight.

Apart from weather reports, there is nothing reported in the Operations Record Book from 8 until 11 February inclusive. On 12 February, 565708 W/O A. L. BRIGDEN was the pilot of Anson R.9628 engaged on a night navigation exercise. He flew too close to a British convoy, which opened fire on the Anson causing some slight damage. W/O BRIGDEN received some superficial injuries, but fortunately none of the other air crew were injured. Following his return to R.A.F. Chivenor, disciplinary action was taken against W/O BRIGDEN, although the result is not known.

On 15 February, 39471 S/L R. M. POWER was detached to the Central Flying School at R.A.F. Upavon in Wiltshire. The next day, 40190 F/L Van Der HEIJDEN, R.A.F., forgot to lower the undercarriage when landing in Blenheim V.5799. The aircraft landed with the wheels retracted which resulted in damage to the aircraft. There were no casualties.

Pieter Robert Marie van der HEIJDEN was born on 29 May 1919 in North Brabant in the Netherlands. The family moved to Sproughton near Ipswich in Suffolk and were granted British nationality in 1937. He went on to serve with No. 541 Squadron, a photo-reconnaissance squadron based at R.A.F. Benson and reached the rank of Squadron Leander. He lost his life on 8 February 1943 when his Spitfire failed to return from a flight over the Netherlands and so he is commemorated on Panel 292 of the Runnymede Memorial. His younger brother, F/Sgt Johan Pieter Marie van der HEIJDEN died on 10 November 1945 when an engine failed on the Mosquito he was flying resulting in the aircraft crashing near Wheaton Aston airfield in Staffordshire. His navigator bailed out and survived.

In addition, on 16 February, S/L S. Mc. BOAL, D.F.C., one of the Flight Commanders at No. 5 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit was posted to No. 217 Squadron.

On 17 February, the weather was cloudy and there was a frost. P/O D. M. HEDLEY was bringing in Beaufort L.4497 to land at Chivenor when the aircraft swung and collided with a sodium flare resulting in the undercarriage collapsing. There were no casualties. The weather was similar on 18 February, and on 19 February, although the cloud dispersed after 15.00 hours. 1059141 Sgt J. F. ELLIOTT was flying Beaufort L.9864 when one of the engines began to overheat. He force-landed the aircraft at Cheglinch, about five miles from R.A.F. Chivenor. Sgt ELLIOTT received superficial injuries, but the aircraft was severely damaged and was written off.

On 20 February, there was a keen frost and broken cloud, with visibility of six winds and a slight wind. P/O WINTER-TAYLOR was taxying in Anson 5105 when he collided with Whitley Mk. V, Z6963 which was stationary. The collision caused slight damage to the Anson but there were no casualties.

On 23 February 1942, fifty-three-year-old 1027426 Corporal Alexander Profit RUTHERFORD died at R.A.F. Chivenor from heart failure. His death certificate states he died of ‘Angina of Effort’ and myocardial degeneration and hypertension. He is buried in Row N, Grave 7 of the cemetery at St. Augustine’s Church, Heanton Punchardon. RUTHERFORD was born in Edinburgh, Midlothian, in 1889, the second son of William and Ann RUTHERFORD. The family lived at 9, Campbells Close, Canongate, Edinburgh, but by 1901 they had moved to 9, Bakehouse Close in the same district. RUTHERLAND married Christina LINDSAY, who was fourteen years his junior, and they had two daughters and one son together. On the same date, 26179 W/C R. C. GASKELL was attached to R.A.F. Chivenor from the Torpedo Training Unit at R.A.F. Abbotsinch.

The next incident of note occurred on 25 February, when 95771 Second Lieutenant W. B. WOLFE was landing in Beaufort L.9805 and swung the aircraft resulting in the port undercarriage collapsing. There were no casualties. There were two incidents on 26 February. The first involved P/O J. A. HANWAY who undershot when landing in Beaufort L.4500 resulting in the tailwheel being caught in the end of the concrete runway and torn off. There were no casualties. 748795 F/Sgt R. H. PITMAN was giving dual instruction to Second Lieutenant STREVER in Beaufort N.1022 when they taxied into a drain which damaged the aircraft. Again, there were no casualties.

The end of the month came on 28 February, with 1,442 hours flown by day and 135 hours flown by night by No. 5 (C) O.T.U.. The average monthly availability of aircraft was 52%.

March 1942

On 1 March 1942, the weather was cloudy with visibility of four miles and a south-easterly wind. On this date, R.A.F. Chivenor began the process of transforming from a training base to an operational one. 37125 S/L J. B. RUSSELL, who was attached to R.A.F. Chivenor, was promoted to the rank of Temporary Wing Commander to assume command of No. 172 Squadron. Also, on this date, No. 5 (C) O.T.U. lost another aircraft with two fatalities. Bristol Beaufort Mk. I, serial number L.4445, struck the water while low-flying over the River Taw and lost the port airscrew. The pilot tried to reach the base using just the starboard engine, but the aircraft crashed on the aerodrome. The Pilot, P/O R. S. BRIMACOMBE, R.C.A.F. and Observer A/405142 P/O R. A. WHITE died in the crash. The Wireless Operator/Air Gunner, NZ/404636 Sgt P. SCOTT received minor injuries.

There was nothing to report on 2 or 3 March, apart from the weather which was cloudy with slight rain. On 4 March, A/402873 P/O A. M. McKERN landed in Beaufort L.4513 with the undercarriage retracted, resulting in extensive damage to the aircraft, but fortunately no injuries to personnel. The afternoon of this day was given over to Station Defence exercises and training. On 6 March, Wing Officer McALLEERY, W.A.A.F. arrived on a duty staff visit from H.Q.C.C..

There was an Air Raid Warning Red issued at 09.54 hours on 7 March, with the All Clear given at 10.11 hours. There was another warning issued at 04.30 hours on 8 March, with the All Clear given at 04.48 hours. The item of note occurred on 10 March when Blenheim S/254 landed after a convoy escort duty. The afternoon of 11 March was given over to Station Defence Training. On 13 March, Blenheims N/254 and C/254 were diverted to R.A.F. Chivenor to land after completing their convoy escort duty. An Air Raid Warning Red was issued at 15.35 hours on 14 March and the All Clear was given at 15.49 hours.

On 15 March, 39184 S/L J. W. B. DAVIS and 39306 S/L H. G. DEVEY both proceeded to R.A.F. Turnberry, with S/L DAVIS returning on 23 March and S/L DEVEY a day later. 1259280 Sgt J. HEAD when landing in Beaufort N.1084 struck a sodium flare with the tail of the aircraft, causing damage to the flare and the underside of the aircraft. There were no injuries to personnel. The Beaufort was repaired and later passed to No. 132 O.T.U. where it was struck off charge on 18 September 1944. 1181395 Sgt A. H. PASSMORE was the pilot of Avro Anson N.9606 which overshot on landing and had to swing off the runway resulting in the collapse of the undercarriage. There were no casualties.

There was continuous rain and drizzle during 16 March, with visibility of four miles and a wind speed of 15 mph from the south-east. The next day, S/L LEIGH arrived at R.A.F. Chivenor from H.Q.C.C. and stayed for four days. No 13 Course ceased training on 17 March, with six crews detached to R.A.F. Lyneham pending posting overseas. One crew was held back at R.A.F. Chivenor in reserve for an overseas posting, and one crew was posted to No. 42 Squadron. The remaining nine crews were posted to the Torpedo Training Unit at R.A.F. Abbotsinch, Renfrewshire.

Two Whitleys, F/502 and H/502, were diverted to land at R.A.F. Chivenor on completion of their anti-submarine sweeps, and Hudson ‘E’ of No. 1404 Metrological Flight based at R.A.F. St. Eval also landed at Chivenor.

On 18 March, the weather was cloudy with showers with visibility of six miles and a southerly wind at a speed of 10 mph. No. 15 Course commenced training comprising eighteen pilots, nineteen observers and thirty-four wireless operators/air gunners. They were due to complete their course on 13 May 1942, i.e., just under two months. Whitley E/502 was diverted to R.A.F. Chivenor from R.A.F. St. Eval after an anti-submarine sweep. The afternoon was given over to Station Defence training for both the R.A.F. and Army personnel.

Nothing of note occurred until 23 March when an Airspeed Oxford of No. 600 Squadron landed at Chivenor and the port undercarriage collapsed.[1] The port wheel had been damaged when the aircraft took off from St. Mary’s on the Scilly Islands so it was expected that there would be difficulty when landing. There were no casualties. On 24 March, two Hampden aircraft from No. 408 Squadron of Bomber Command landed after a gardening (mine laying) operation. The afternoon of 25 March was given over to Station Defence Training. On 26 March, 39306 S/L H. G. DEVEY, the Senior Navigation Instructor, was posted to H.Q. No. 19 Group. Six aircraft of No. 408 Squadron and five of No. 420 Squadron, all Hampden bombers, landed after another gardening operation.

On 27 March, the weather was hazy with variable cloud. The visibility was six miles with a south-easterly wind of 10 mph. 40339 F/L A. BROWN reported to No. 5 (C) O.T.U. for navigation duties, which was a Squadron Leader’s post. Three aircraft of No. 408 Squadron, four of No. 49 Squadron, three from No. 455 Squadron and two from No. 50 Squadron landed at R.A.F. Chivenor following a gardening (mine laying) operation probably to one of the French ports. All twelve aircraft were Handley Page Hampdens of Bomber Command.

The only comments made about 28 and 29 March related to the weather, which was fair. On 30 March, J/7066 P/O A. L. BELL, R.C.A.F. when landing in Beaufort L.4459 held off too high and the starboard wing stalled and dropped, causing the collapse of the starboard undercarriage. There were no casualties. Beaufort L.4459 had an eventful career, being one of the first batch of seventy-three aircraft delivered to the R.A.F. between November 1939 and June 1940. It was issued to No.22 Squadron and later transferred to No. 217 Squadron. After a period of operations, it was issued to No. 3 (C) O.T.U. and passed to No. 5 (C) O.T.U. when the unit was redesignated. It was lost on 24 June 1942 when it spun into the sea ten miles off Girvan, Ayrshire. It appears that P/O BELL survived the Second World War.

The month of March 1942 finished quietly although the weather was cloudy with continuous rain and drizzle. The total hours flown by day during the month was recorded as 1,160, with 147 flown by night. The average monthly serviceability of aircraft was 69.7%.

Another important event occurred in March 1942, not at R.A.F. Chivenor, but very much linked to the base nearby. The Bishop of Exeter visited Heanton Punchardon on a Thursday to consecrate an extension to the churchyard. A service was held in the Parish Church, at which the Bishop gave an address. The Reverend J. C. MITCHELL, the Rural Dean, acted as the Bishop’s chaplain, and the others present included the Rector, the Reverend Desmond SHAW, the Reverend R. A. H. BATE, Chaplain to the Forces, the Reverend A. SHARPLES (Georgeham), and the Reverend L. J. MAW (Braunton Methodist). The petition for the consecration was presented by the Rector’s Warden, Mr William DUNN, C.B.E., J.P., C.C.. The additional land taken into the churchyard is about a quarter of an acre. Although this is not mentioned in the newspaper article, it is likely that the main driver for this extension was the increasing number of burials associated with R.A.F. Chivenor since the opening of the base in October 1940.

[1] The O.R.B. gives the serial number for this Oxford as A.5875, which is incorrect.

April 1942

In April 1942, the Station was transferred from 17 Group to 19 Group, and on 4 April, 172 Sqn, equipped with Wellingtons came into being at Chivenor. This was the first squadron to have aircraft equipped with the Leigh Light which was to revolutionise methods of detecting submarines at night. The month began with another Station Defence Exercise, and then on 2 April, R/83111 Sgt F. R. TILLOTSON, while landing in Anson N.5105 after a night navigation exercise, overshot and hit an obstruction beyond the boundary lights resulting in the collapse of the undercarriage. There were no casualties.

On 3 April, 39306 S/L H. G. D. DEVEY was posted back to No. 5 (C) O.T.U. for navigation duties. The next day, Blenheim J/254 landed at R.A.F. Chivenor after being diverted to this base on completing an escort duty for a Douglas civilian aircraft. On 5 April, F/O (A/S/L) C. F. INGLE was detached to H.Q. No. 19 Group, returning on 13 April. On 7 April, 45615 F/O HEARN-PHILLIPS was giving dual instruction to 647407 Sgt GLYN in Beaufort L.9895 when the aircraft swung on landing and crashed into a Nissan Hut. There were no casualties.

On 8 April, at 06.00 hours a mock attack was made on the aerodrome by members of No. 14 and 15 Courses. 39306 S/L H. G. D. DEVEY proceeded by air to H.Q. No. 17 Group, returning two days later. S/L T.A. HUNT, the Senior Medical Officer at R.A.F. Chivenor, was posted to R.A.F. Stornaway on the Outer Hebrides islands. On 9 April, there was continuous rain with gusty wind. Whitley C/502 was diverted to R.A.F. Chivenor after an anti-submarine sortie.

On 10 April, Vice-Marshal G. R. BROMET, C.B.E., D.S.O., A.O.C. visited the Station, probably to visit the newly formed No. 172 Squadron. 75846 F/L (A/S/L) W. P. LEWIS was posted to R.A.F. Pembroke Dock. 44955 F/L H. THOMAS was reposted to R.A.F. Chivenor for Administrative duties and was appointed to the unpaid acting rank of Squadron Leader. On 12 April, F/L (A/S/L) D. C. FARQUHARSON was posted to R.A.F. Chivenor as the Senior Medical Officer. The next day, 39184 S/L J. W. A. DAVIS proceeded to No. 5 O.T.U. at R.A.F. Turnberry, Ayrshire. Sadly, on 13 April, Wellington Mk. VIII, Z.8721, of No. 172 Squadron crashed approximately three miles south-east of Hartland Point. The air crew were:

J/5292             P/O H. W. RUSS, R.C.A.F.                                Pilot & Captain
NZ/401248      F/O E. A. BLAIR, R.N.Z.A.F.                            Second Pilot
117021            P/O L. NOBLE,                                                 Navigator
118028            P/O F. C. Le BON                                             WOp/AG
852491            Sgt C. T. DANIEL                                              WOp/AG

On 14 April, the weather was fine and hazy, but it was a day of personnel movements. 05237 W/C Ernest Charles KIDD, A.F.M., A.F.C., was posted to Headquarters No. 17 Group; he was replaced by 37159 W/C R. B. COX, was posted to No. 5 (C) O.T.U. on appointment as the Chief Instructor. S/L E. W. HUTCHINGS was attached to R.A.F. Chivenor for Controller duties.

No. 14 Course ceased training with five crews detached to R.A.F. Lyneham pending a posting overseas. One crew was held in reserve and twelve were posted to the Torpedo Training Unit (T.T.U.) at R.A.F. Abbotsinch, Refrewshire. One spare observer was posted to No. 217 Squadron, and one observer and one wireless operator/air gunner were sent to the T.T.U. at Abbotsinch.

On 15 April, No. 16 Course commenced training at R.A.F. Chivenor comprising twenty-three pilots, twenty-two observers and forty-five wireless operators/air gunners. The weather was fine with no low cloud and a light, easterly wind. The weather was similar for the next couple of days, with 37392 S/L G. R. BRADY being detached to the Blind Approach School at R.A.F. Watchfield on 17 April.

On 18 April, the weather was cloudy with fair periods. At 10.45 hours, P/O TAHIWI was landing in Beaufort L.9945 when he swung on the runway and the starboard undercarriage collapsed. There were no casualties. NZ/411951 P/O Kingi Te Aho Aho Gilling TAHIWI, R.N.Z.A.F., went on to serve with No. 203 Squadron which was based in the Middle East. Now promoted to the rank of Flying Officer, TAHIWI died on 30 September 1942 when his aircraft failed to return.

TAHIWI was born on 17 November 1914 in Otaki, New Zealand, a son of Kingi Rawiri and Jean Esther TAHIWI (nee ARMSTRONG) of Palmerston North. He was a member of the Ngati-Raukawa tribe. He was educated at Wellington College and the Victoria University College, and he went on to become a radio announcer for the Commercial Broadcasting Service. TAHIWI joined the Territorial Force of the New Zealand Army in 1931 and served with 5 Battery, New Zealand Garrison Artillery until 1935. He enlisted in the Royal New Zealand Air Force as an airman under training on 23 March 1941 and completed his initial flying training at No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School commencing on 4 May 1941. On 14 June 1941, he progressed on to No. 2 Flying Training School and was awarded his Pilot’s Badge with effect from 26 July 1941. He was commissioned on the same day and granted the rank of Pilot Officer.

P/O TAHIWI was attached to the R.A.F. and embarked for the U.K. on 14 September 1941. He arrived at No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre at Bournemouth on 17 October 1941 and was sent on a course at No. 3 School of General Reconnaissance at R.A.F. Squires Gate commencing on 22 November 1941. On 18 March 1942, P/O TAHIWI was posted to No. 5 (C) O.T.U. at R.A.F. Chivenor. On completion of his course at Chivenor, he was posted to a Ferry Training Unit. He collected a Bristol Beaufort and flew to No. 1 Oversea Aircraft Delivery Unit at R.A.F. Portreath on 30 July 1942. The next day, he took off and flew to Gibraltar, and then on to Malta and Egypt arriving in August. He then joined No. 1 Middle East Training School and converted to fly the Baltimore aircraft. He joined No. 203 Squadron on 21 August 1942. He completed three operational sorties before he was lost with his crew of three on 30 September 1942 while undertaking a reconnaissance flight over Crete in Baltimore Mk. I AG.723. No trace of the aircraft was ever found, so F/O TAHIWI is commemorated on Column 265 of the Alamein Memorial in Egypt. Again, there are disputes about his age at death. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission gives an age of thirty-three years, but Errol MARTYN, the distinguished New Zealand aviation historian gives an age of twenty-seven years, which is consistent with his known date of birth. TAHIWI was married to Phyllis Gretchen TAHIWI (nee RYAN).

On the same date, 18 April, Bristol Beaufort N.1099 overshot on landing and both undercarriages were torn off. 45357 F/O N. S. PETCH was giving instruction to NZ/412190 Sgt N. W. T. BEETHAM, R.N.Z.A.F. at the time of the forced landing, with neither of them being injured. Both F/O PETCH and Sgt BEETHAM survived the Second World War. Beaufort N.1099 was repaired and later re-allocated to No. 54 O.T.U.. It was struck off charge on 11 October 1943.

W/C/ O. I. GILSON, A.F.C. assumed command of R.A.F. Chivenor on 19 April, vice G/C CRACROFT, A.F.C. who went away on leave. The next day there was low cloud with a light, easterly wind. 36068 S/L J. McLAUGHLIN was posted to No. 48 Squadron on this date. F/O (A/S/L) N. B. HARVEY proceeded to R.A.F. Turnberry with an advanced party from No. 5 (C) O.T.U. in order to begin the process of moving the O.T.U. to the Scottish base. At 11.18 hours, P/O J. W. PATERSON came in to land at R.A.F. Chivenor in Lysander P.1680 after completing a target towing sortie. He swung off the runway and port undercarriage collapsed. There were no casualties.

47310 P/O John Waugh PATERSON, R.A.F., was commissioned from the rank of Sergeant (service number 656251) as a Pilot Officer, on probation (emergency) with effect from 29 November 1941. His service number indicates that he transferred to the R.A.F. from the Army before the outbreak of the war. He was promoted to the rank of Flying Officer, war substantive, on 1 October 1942 and Flight Lieutenant, war substantive on 29 November 1943.

Earlier that day, there was a different outcome when a Bristol Beaufort Mk. I, serial number N.1028, crashed at Youlstone Park, near Shirwell, approximately three miles north of Barnstaple. It had taken off at 08.00 hours on a low-level bombing training sortie and crashed at 08.27 hours. All four air crew died instantly as the aircraft flew into high ground in poor visibility. They were:

J/7620             P/O F. G. D. BAKER, R.C.A.F.                                       Pilot & Captain
P/O M. H. PENNEY, R.A.F.V.R.                                    Observer
1017391          Sgt G. B. GILLAN, R.A.F.V.R.                                        WOp/AG
1065227          Sgt C. F. GUNN, R.A.F.V.R.                                          WOp/AG

The weather on 21 April was mainly fair, with slight rain. It was the same on 22 April, when the afternoon was dedicated to Station Defence Training. On this date, 39233 S/L G. H. B. HUTCHISON was posted to No. 5 O.T.U. for Chief Ground Instructor Duties, and 43123 F/O (A/S/L) N. B. HARVEY was reposted to No. 5 O.T.U. for Flying Duties. S/L A. H. SIMMONDS was reposted to No. 5 O.T.U. as a supernumerary officer, and S/L C. M. GRECE was attached from No. 7 O.T.U.. The weather on 23 April was cloudy with early fog, and late that evening, there was an Air Raid warning Red at 22.56 hours, which lasted until 00.24 hours the next day.

The weather on 24 April was fine, as it was the next day. Early in the morning of 25 April there was an Air Raid warning Code Red between 00.41 hours and 01.25 hours. On 26 April, G.C. CRACROFT, A.F.C., resumed command of R.A.F. Chivenor on his return from leave. P/O S. C. W. CARSON swung on landing in Beaufort L.4503 resulting in the starboard undercarriage collapsing. There were no casualties. There was another Air Raid Warning Red between 00.59 hours and 01.54 hours on 27 April, but then nothing else of interest for the rest of the month. There were 708 hours flown by day during the month of April, with 204 hours flown by night. The average monthly serviceability of aircraft was 59%.

April 1942 saw the first medical summary included in the Form 540 Operations Record Book. It shows that the personnel at the base were:

No. 5 O.T.U.                                                    142 Officers                1,638 Airmen
No. 172 Squadron                                           20 Officers                  118 Airmen
47 Works Flight                                               Nil                                89 Airmen
R.A.F. Station Wrafton (78 Signals Wing)    4 Officers                    72 Airmen
Civilian Technical Corps                                 Nil                                3 Airmen
W.A.A.F’s.                                                         8 Officers                    173 Airwomen

The officer in Medical Charge was S/L T. A. HUNT, but he was absent on sick leave. F/L A. D. MESSENT was the other medical officer on the base. No. 172 Squadron had their own medical officer in the person of 117978 F/O Warwick Stanley NOBLE, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.. He was born on 18 December 1909 in Steyning, Sussex, and was commissioned on 20 February 1942 in the rank of Flying Officer (emergency). On 20 February 1943, NOBLE was promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant, war substantive. He was Mentioned in Despatches on 14 June 1945 and on 1 November 1947 he was granted the substantive rank of Flight Lieutenant in the Medical Branch, with his seniority being back-dated to 20 February 1943. On 1 December 1948, NOBLE was granted a temporary commission in the R.A.F. and was granted one year on the Active List. This was extended for one year, and on 7 May 1951, his temporary commission was relinquished with NOBLE holding the rank of Squadron Leader. He died on 30 June 1993, while living at 516, Clive Court, Maida Vale, London, aged eighty-three years.

At the Station Sick Quarters (S.S.Q.) at R.A.F. Chivenor, there were six crash beds, three officer’s beds, one observation ward and two W.A.A.F. beds. At the dispersed Sick Quarters at Bloomfield House in Hills View, Braunton, there were nine beds.

May 1942 – The Move to R.A.F. Turnberry

The month of May saw the transition of R.A.F. Chivenor from being primarily a training base to becoming an operational base. The weather was fine on 1 May, allowing one Anson and twenty-one Beaufort aircraft to take off for R.A.F. Turnberry between 12.00 hours and 15.45 hours. One of the Beauforts, L.9838, crashed at 17.40 hours on arriving at R.A.F. Turnberry. The crew were uninjured, but the aircraft was a complete write-off. On 2 May, F/L G. D. MESSENT, a Medical Officer, was posted from R.A.F. Chivenor to R.A.F. Carew Cheriton in Pembrokeshire, another Coastal Command base. F/O E. G. HARDY came to Chivenor to replace him from the Medical Training Establishment Depot at R.A.F. Harrogate.

3 May saw four Anson and one Battle aircraft leave R.A.F. Chivenor between 11.08 and 17.04 hours for the flight to Turnberry in fine weather.

On 4 May 1942, No. 5 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit formally transferred to R.A.F. Turnberry in Ayrshire. This new airfield was opened for the receipt of stores and equipment with effect from 2 February 1942, under the command of S/L J. H. BAIRD with a small advance party of one sergeant and sixteen airmen. A draft of sixty-nine non-commissioned officers and airmen arrived on 9 February. At 09.45 hours, Blackburn Botha L.6211 from R.A.F. Prestwick crashed on the foreshore and was destroyed. All the crew were injured, with Sgt SHEPHERD and Sgt BROWN both dying during the night. Sgts MAYHO and BALMAIN were not seriously injured. On 25 February, a group of officers from No. 5 (C) O.T.U. at R.A.F. Chivenor arrived at Turnberry to inspect the progress of the works on the station. They arrived by Anson N.9726 flown by W/C KIDD, A.F.C., with the other officers being S/L CLARKE, D.F.M., S/L HOWEY and S/L DEWEY. W/C BRAITHWAITE arrived by road on 3 March to inspect the station, and again on 9 March, this time by air. He visited again on 24 and 30 March to inspect the progress of the works.

On 8 April, W/C BRAITHWAITE was accompanied by Air Commodore (A/C) H. G. SMART, C.B.E., D.F.C., A.F.C., the Air Officer Commanding No. 17 Group. They arrived at 12.35 hours by road and left at 16.30 hours. On 18 April, Anson R.3308 landed at Turnberry piloted by S/L BLAND with G/C G. R. M. CLIFFORD as his passenger. CLIFFORD had been posted to command R.A.F. Turnberry, and he assumed command of the new R.A.F. station at 1.00 hours on 20 April from S/L BAIRD. The next day, at 10.40 hours, S/L HARVEY, P/O WALKER and seventy-three airmen arrived from Chivenor by train as the advance party of No. 5 (C) O.T.U..

The Officers’ Mess opened at R.A.F. Turnberry on 1 May 1942, and at 17.40 hours, the base suffered its first loss of an aircraft when Beaufort L.9838 crashed on arrival from R.A.F. Chivenor. The crew were uninjured, but the aircraft was a complete write-off. At 19.30 hours, W/C GILSON, A.F.C., the Chief Engineer Officer arrived by air from Chivenor. Aircraft continued to arrive at R.A.F. Turnberry during the day on 3 May, and at 14.00 hours, W/C COX, the Chief Flying Instructor arrived by air.

The remainder of the aircraft transferred from Chivenor to Turnberry on 4 May and at 06.20 hours on 5 May, a special train from R.A.F. Chivenor arrived at Turnberry station under the command of S/L CLARKE, D.F.M., with on-board five officers, five-hundred other ranks, nineteen W.A.A.F. personnel, and eight civilians from the Bristol Aeroplane Company. The effective transfer of No. 5 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit from R.A.F. Chivenor to R.A.F. Turnberry was complete.

Meanwhile, back at R.A.F. Chivenor, at 02.10 hours on 4 May, the ‘Q’ site was attacked by a single enemy aircraft. Three high-explosive bombs, two of which did not explode, were dropped in the proximity of the ‘Q’ site, the lights of which were all on while all the other lights were off. There was fog during the morning and the weather was cloudy throughout the day. At 09.10 hours, the main party of No. 5 (C) O.T.U. left from the adjacent railway station at Wrafton bound for Ayrshire. Between 12.18 and 14.31 hours, sixteen Beauforts, five Blenheims and one Anson all departed from R.A.F. Chivenor to fly up to R.A.F. Turnberry. Two Beauforts and two Blenheim aircraft were forced to return to Chivenor because of bad weather. One of the Blenheims, V.5799, crash landed at 14.30 hours. It was being flown by P/O J. W. PATERSON, R.A.F.

At 17.30 hours, R.A.F. Carew Cheriton in Pembrokeshire informed R.A.F. Chivenor that Blenheim R.2779, ‘U’ from No. 254 Squadron, had crashed off Clovelly. The Blenheim had taken off at 09.20 hours from Carew Cheriton with N/254 to escort a DC-2 out along the Bristol Channel. U/254 had reported trouble with its port engine and had crashed into the sea off Clovelly. The Pilot of the Blenheim was 39791 S/L A. S. JAMESON and the Observer was 924105 Sgt RAYMOND, R.A.F.. They were picked up by a motor launch about seven miles off Lundy Island and taken to Clovelly. The two bodies were collected by Chivenor in an ambulance and brought to the station for burial. The WOp/AG, 81383 F/L A. W. BARNES, was not found.

On 5 May, the exodus of aircraft for Turnberry continued, with two more Blenheim aircraft departing at 14.10 and 14.12 hours. On 04.55 hours, on 6 May, Wellington aircraft ‘V’ from No. 156 Squadron landed at Chivenor on its return from an operational flight over Nantes. The crew ere debriefed and rested, before taking off for their base at R.A.F. Alconbury at 16.30 hours. Between 10.55 hours and 11.36 hours, four Beauforts, three Lysanders and one Tiger Moth were airborne as the last contingent of aircraft of No. 5 (C) O.T.U. to transfer bases. Between 11.20 hours and 13.32 hours, fifteen Whitley bombers from No. 51 Squadron landed at R.A.F. Chivenor from their previous base at R.A.F. Dishforth in Yorkshire. Between 16.03 and 17.21 hours, fifteen Whitleys from No. 77 Squadron arrived from R.A.F. Leeming in Yorkshire.

One more Whitley from No. 77 Squadron arrived at 01.10 hours 7 May, having flown from R.A.F. Stradishall in Suffolk. The funerals of S/L JAMESON and Sgt RAYMOND were held on 8 May at St. Augustine church at Heanton Punchardon.

On 14 May 1942, at 11.30 hours, Bristol Blenheim Mk. V (also known as a ‘Bisley’), BA.372, from No. 13 Operational Training Unit at R.A.F. Bicester, Oxfordshire, crashed into the bed of the River Taw on taking off from R.A.F. Chivenor. The aircraft burst into flames, but the crew of three managed to escape, albeit serious injured. They were
1282126          Sgt C. G. ALLEN,                                                           Pilot & Captain
1186607          Sgt W. T. CHANDLER, R.A.F.V.R.                                 Observer
1261911          Sgt G. E. DOWSETT                                                     WOp/AG

Both Sgt ALLEN and Sgt CHANDLER suffered second degree burns, but Sgt DOWSETT was more seriously injured suffering from extensive burns, and he was placed on the seriously injured list, meaning there was a threat to his life. All three were taken to the North Devon Infirmary at Barnstaple for treatment. 1186607 Sgt William Thomas CHANDLER lost his life on 11 December 1942 when serving with No. 27 O.T.U.. His Wellington Mk. III, X.3961, crashed shortly after take-off because the cover of the pitot tube had not been removed meaning the pilot could not receive accurate airspeed indication. CHANDLER lived at Oak View, West Street, Pembridge in Herefordshire, and was aged thirty-one years when he died.

Between 3 and 16 May 1942, No. 5 (C) O.T.U. moved to R.A.F. Turnberry, in Ayrshire. This site had been an aerodrome during the First World War, and then after the war, it developed as a well-known golf course. With the outbreak of the Second World War, the Air Ministry identified Turnberry as the site for a military airfield. There were delays in construction, with the contractors, Wimpey, starting work in 1941. When the airfield was completed, No. 5 (C) O.T.U. was able to move from R.A.F. Chivenor, allowing that airfield to take on an operational role in the Bay of Biscay offensive. The airfield at Turnberry was constructed alongside the Ayrshire coast, with hills to the east. The main runway was laid parallel to the hills, on a north-east to south-west line, and measured 6,250 feet in length. The other two runways were comparatively short in length, their approaches being either over the sea or down low over the hills. They were 00/18 on a north to south trajectory of 4,500 feet, and 09/27 running east to west of 3,900 feet. The main accommodation and technical sites lay alongside the main runway. In operation, the prevailing winds were from the west and the sea, meaning the subsidiary runways had to be used frequently.

December 1941

The month of December commenced with the weather showery, with a north-westerly wind at 15 mph; the visibility was good but decreasing with fog patches after dark. An aircraft on attachment from No. 502 Squadron, T/502, carried out what was assessed to be a successful attack on a U-boat, and many photographs were taken, some of which subsequently appeared in the Press.

At 22.07 hours on 1 December, the base lost another aircraft and three lives when Beaufort N.1044 crashed at Chibbett Post, near Exford. Three air crew died, namely:

A/404502          P/O HOPKINS, R.A.A.F.                                                         Pilot & Captain
P/O MASTERS                                                                         Observer
979835              Sgt BOYLE                                                                                 WOp/AG

The second Wireless Operator/Air Gunner, 1325468 Sgt SMART, was severely injured. He stated that the pilot was lost and descended through fog to find his way. He stated that they broke into clean air and saw the ground but struck it while climbing away.

923858 Sgt D. E. TAYLOR was flying Whitley Z.9123 of No. 502 Squadron and coming into land at night at R.A.F. Chivenor when he overshot and swung to avoid obstacles beyond the end of the runway. The aircraft sustained some damage, but there were no casualties. Three officers based at R.A.F. Chivenor were promoted to the rank of Temporary Squadron Leader, namely:

F/L (A/S/L) S. M. BOAL, D.F.C.,
F/L (A/S/L) R. M. POWER,
F/L A. H. SIMMONDS.

On 2 December, the weather was fair with fog patches with the wind light and variable. F/L (A/S/L) L. E. CHISWELL, until recently the Chief Ground Instructor, was posted from No. 5 (C) O.T.U. pending a posting overseas. He was replaced by F/O (A/S/L) N. B. HARVEY who was posted to No. 5 (C) O.T.U. to assume those duties. Major P. M. NEVILLE was attached to R.A.F. Chivenor from No. 17 Group in his role as the Group Defence Liaison Officer. This attachment only lasted one day, and he returned to Group Headquarters on 3 December. There was early fog which dispersed only slowly. A/404175 Sgt R. G. GREY, R.A.A.F., was flying Beaufort N.1020 when the aircraft suffered the failure of the port engine at 1,500 feet and about five miles from the aerodrome. He managed to make a successful one-engine landing back at base.

There was local fog on 4 December, followed by drizzle. The weather improved on 5 December although rain set in at 19.00 hours with the cloud base lowering to 1,000 feet. F/L A. H. SIMMONDS was posted for a Squadron Leader’s Flying Instructor’s Post. Whitley Z.6963 of No. 502 Squadron hit a tree or bush near the boundary of R.A.F. Chivenor when approaching the aerodrome in bad visibility, which caused some damage to the aircraft. The pilot managed to land safely and there were no casualties amongst the crew.

The weather was poor on 6 December, with continuous rain from 12.00 hours onwards. Matters improved the next day, but No. 5 (C) O.T.U. was to lose another valuable aircraft and air crew. Beaufort W.6478 crashed in the River Taw about 30 yards to the south of the aerodrome when approaching to land. Three men died, namely:

P/O A. G. MURRAY-SMITH, R.A.F.V.R.                                           Pilot & Captain
P/O G. L. EYLES, R.A.F.V.R.                                                                Observer
1005506            Sgt G. F. PARKES, R.A.F.V.R.                                                              WOp/AG

The second Wireless Operator/Air Gunner, 1354318 Sgt L. MILES, who was occupying the gun turret, escaped from the crash with only slight injuries.

74287 F/Sgt J. C. HICKSON was flying Fairey Battle L.5691 on 6 December on a routine target-towing exercise. He came in to land as usual when both undercarriage legs collapsed and the aircraft dived into the ground. The Battle sustained some damage but neither of the two occupants were injured. In the evening, an Air Raid Warning Red was issued at 17.50 hours, with the All Clear given just twenty-four minutes later.

The weather was cloudy on 8 and 9 December, with some rain or intermittent drizzle. It was the same on 10 December, except that the wind speed increased during the day until it reached gale force late in the evening. W/C F. C. RICHARDSON, the Commanding Officer of No. 502 Squadron, ceased his attachment to R.A.F. Chivenor. The body of a German airman was washed up from the sea and brought to the mortuary at R.A.F. Chivenor. He was identified by papers in his pocket as 69006/93 Feldwebel Otto EBERL. F/L SEGNER of the A.IK and H.Q. No. 19 Group were informed and they arranged for the disposal of the body and effects. EBERL was born on 9 September 1917 and died on or about 21 October 1941. He was buried in Barnstaple Cemetery, but after the war, his body was exhumed and reburied in the Cannock Chase German Military Cemetery in Staffordshire.

On 11 December, the weather was fair with occasional showers. The detachment of No. 502 Squadron ceased their attachment to R.A.F. Chivenor and proceeded to R.A.F. St. Eval. They were replaced by a detachment of Lockheed Hudsons aircraft of No. 206 Squadron. The Junkers 88 aircraft which landed at Chivenor by mistake left on this date. It was flown by two staff pilots from R.A.F. Farnborough and escorted by a R.A.F. Hudson. There was almost continuous drizzle on 12 and 13 December, and on the latter day, 1375230 Sgt G. C. HOLT made a normal landing in Beaufort N.1084 but the undercarriage collapsed. There were no casualties.

The rain continued on 14 and 15 December, with a moderate wind and fair visibility. On 15 December, P/O R. J. TWOMEY, R.A.A.F. was flying Beaufort L.9796 when his port engine failed at a location over the sea about 40 miles from Chivenor. He managed to bring the aircraft back safely and made a successful landing on one engine and no damage was sustained to the Beaufort.

On 16 December, there was broken cloud with occasional showers, and gusty wind of between 15 and 25 mph. P/O A. L. EDWARDS was killed when his Lysander, V.9819, crashed about two miles south-west of Bideford at a place called Caddsdown. It is believed that the engine of the Lysander failed which resulted in the aircraft stalling and crashing into the ground.

W/C HARDS, the Commanding Officer of No. 206 Squadron arrived on 17 December on an attachment to visit the detachment of his squadron now based at R.A.F. Chivenor. A detachment of six Hampden aircraft arrived on detachment for operational duties, but they departed the next day without undertaking any sorties. One of these Hampden, AE.370 of No. 50 Squadron, sustained a burst tyre on landing resulting in damage to one wheel.

On 18 December, the weather was misty with intermittent rain and light winds. Beaufort L.9949 overshot on landing and crashed into a sunken road just outside the aerodrome boundary. The pilot, A/404175 Sgt R. G. GREY, R.A.A.F, and 1325223 Sgt E. WARBOYS and 1354010 Sgt M. M. PATON all received slight injuries. The Observer, 1001660 Sgt J. LEE received severe injuries. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and was written off.

The weather was cloudy with a slight mist and intermittent rain in the afternoon of 19 December. R.A.F. Chivenor had a distinguished visitor in the person of Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Murray LONGMORE, G.C.B., D.S.O.. Beaufort N.9864 overshot on landing and had to be swung off the runway, resulting in a collision with a mechanical shovel and consequent damage to the port airscrew. The Staff Pilot was F/L ALSOPP, who was giving dual instruction to Sgt SALISBURY, but neither of them was injured. Nothing of interest occurred on 20 December, however, the next day six Hudson aircraft of No. 206 Squadron took-off from R.A.F. Chivenor for a bombing attack on an oil refinery at Donges, near St. Nazaire. One of the aircraft, Hudson AM.837 (N/206) failed to return. The four crew were:

63801                 P/O E. D. RAWES, R.A.F.V.R.                                              Pilot
NZ/40666          F/L I. W. TERRY, R.N.Z.A.F.                                                  Pilot (Observer)
633261              Sgt J. O. DURRENT, R.A.F.                                                   WOp/AG
1210042            Sgt R. L. WATTS, R.A.F.V.R.                                                 WOp/AG

Both P/O RAWES and F/L TERRY were qualified pilots, but it is believed that the experienced F/L TERRY was acting as the Observer for the newly qualified P/O RAWES. It was learnt subsequently that the aircraft had crashed near the village of Saint Viaud on the southern bank of the River Loire, after apparently sustaining damage from German anti-aircraft fire. The four air crew are buried locally at Nantes.

The other five Hudson aircraft landed safely back at R.A.F. Chivenor in the early hours of 22 December.

On 23 December, No. 11 Course completed its training. Eleven complete crews were posted to the Torpedo Training Unit at R.A.F. Abbotsinch, while the other three crews were posted to R.A.F. Honeybourne to prepare for a posting overseas. No. 13 Course commenced the same day, with twenty pilots, twenty observers and forty wireless operators/air gunners.

On 24 December, the detachment of No. 206 Squadron ceased its attachment to R.A.F. Chivenor. The next day was Christmas Day, and in the tradition of the Royal Air Force, one-thousand and eighty airmen, one-hundred and eleven airwomen and eighty-six Army personnel sat down to a Christmas dinner which included turkey and Christmas pudding, and were waited on by the officers and senior N.C.O’s.

The weather was cloudy over the next two days with flight operations continuing. On 28 December, the weather was poor, with continuous rain until 12.00 midday, followed by drizzle. The wind was a light south-easterly at 15 mph, falling to 5 mph. The cloud cover was down to 600 to 1,000 feet in rain, but rose to about 2,500 later.[1] P/O ISTED and his crew took off on a training sortie, but crashed at 15.30 hours at Coombes Head near the village of Stoke Climsland in Cornwall, and about six miles west of Tavistock. The location is also described as South Coombe Farm, Stoke Climsland, about one mile west of the Police House in the village.

The aircraft was completely burnt out, with all four crew members being killed instantly.[2] There is a suggestion that the port engine failed, causing the aircraft to lose height and crash into high ground.[3] The air crew were:

89823                 P/O P. H. ISTED, R.A.F.V.R.                                                 Pilot & Captain
931093              Sgt G. G. SINCLAIR, R.A.F.V.R.                                            Observer
1073271            Sgt E. ROBINSON, R.A.F.V.R.                                              WOp/AG
1073431            Sgt F. C. BAKER, R.A.F.V.R.                                                  WOp/AG

Sgt SINCLAIR and Sgt ROBINSON are both buried at St. Augustine’s churchyard, Heanton Punchardon, while P/O ISTED and Sgt BAKER were repatriated to their hometowns.

On 29 December, W/C L. B. B. KING, the Senior Navigation Instructor, was detached to No. 5 Personnel Dispatch Centre at R.A.F. Padgate in Lancashire. The year ended with two days of good weather, although visibility deteriorated during the day. The average monthly serviceability for December was 53%, with 1,284 hours flown by day and 205 h

[1] AIR 28/152
[2] HAYWARD, Op. Cit. p.41
[3] See: www.aircrewremembered.com/isted-philip.html