9th April 1940 Leading Airman H. E. Cook Killed Mystery

[paulmcmillan]

According to Naval History .net the following is posted

Tuesday, 9 April 1940
Service Flying Training School, No.1, Netheravon, air crash
COOK, Herbert E, Leading Airman, C/JX 138744, killed
Leading Airman H. E. Cook was killed when his
RAF Battle of 1 SFTS Netheravon crashed near Collingbourne Kingston, Wiltshire
Passenger AC 2/c W. I. Hammond was also killed.

I have a slight issue with this

I accept HERBERT EDWIN Cook was killed on this date his death is registered at Devizes Aged 23

However, I can't find a Battle loss on this date, nor the death of AC 2/c W. I. Hammond

who might actually be Flight Lieutenant WILSON IRWIN HAMMOND Service No: 37065 who was killed 13/11/1939 and is buried at Netheravon

Can anyone square this circle and provide the serials of Cook's machine and made Hammonds in 1939

[paulmcmillan]

Hammond was in 13.11.39 Harvard I N7043 1 FTS near Netheravon

He was with Sub-Lieutenant (A) DONALD COPSEY who was also killed

[Ross_McNeill]

From the F1180


Battle K7609 - 2 killed, L/A H E Cook pilot in command.


Regards
Ross

[COL BRUGGY]

Paul,

Battle K7609.

52 Sqn - 25.11.37
15 ERFTS - 15.1.39
7 FTS - 8.9.39

Hit ground in turn while low flying, Collingbourne Kingston, Wilts., 9.1.40. L/A H. E Cook and passenger killed. SOC 23.4.40

The Battle File/Shail p.126

Col.

[paulmcmillan]

Ross/Col

Thanks very interesting! I can't find a second casualty on Battle K7609 on that date that could match on CWGC

The only two deaths on register that could fit via age are:

Pratt Victor H 18 Devizes 5a 278
Watson Stanley 22 Devizes 5a 278

But both not on CWGC unless the mystery crewman died later in hospital elsewhere


Paul

[Lyffe]

From Priddle's invaluable Wings over Wiltshire:

LA Herbert E Cook, RN, of HMS Daedalus, and AC2 Alfred C Lucas, RAF, were killed on Tuesday 9 April 1940 in Battle K7609, which crashed at Collingbourne Kingston when low-flying. AC2 Lucas was buried at Netheravon All Saints Churchyard on 12 April. AC1 Ralph Godden attended as a member of the burial party.

Brian

[paulmcmillan]

Brian
Thanks another mystery sorted. Note to self cross reference BMD ages with CWGC. Adjacent on register

Lucas Alfred C 80 Devizes 5a 278

Lucas was 20 not 80 which is what is typed on the register!

Paul