Sgt W Fleming and Flt Lt G A Steward DFM, RAF Tain

[kenmorrison]

Just in case anyone is looking for details - these two are on the same page on the Tain Parish Death register in Ross and Cromarty.

WILLIAM FLEMING, Sergeant (Pilot) Number 1284768. Died 9 October 1941 at Tarlogie near RAF Tain in Ross and Cromarty. Buried Annan Cemetery, Dumfriesshire. Son of William and Agnes S. Fleming, of Annan.
Cause of death - Burns and multiple injuries.

GEORGE ARTHUR STEWARD, D.F.M., Flight Lieutenant (Pilot) Number 45375. Died 23 October 1941 at Bogbain Crofts, Fendom near RAF Tain in Ross and Cromarty. Served with 17 Squadron.
Buried Bromeswell (St. Edmund) Churchyard, Suffolk. Son of John and Ellen Maud Steward, of Bromeswell.
Cause of death - Fractured skull and multiple injuries.

Ken

[davew]

A bit more to add to Ken's info.

Whitley V T4144 of 19 OTU CFL at The Distillery, Tain Hill, Morangie. In addition to Fleming, Masters LG, MacKenzie A and Hancock H were killed on the 9 October 1941.

Steward was killed in either Hurricane IIa Z2485 or Z3906, the other pilot, also killed, was Allsop CP, when thse two a/c collided and came down in Tain; west of Balnagall Farm. On the S edge of Tain airfield.

regards

DaveW

[kenmorrison]

Thanks for that additional info, Dave.
I had been assuming that Fleming was at RAF Tain.

Steward was promoted from Sergeant - 3rd Mar. 1941. (Seniority 19th Feb. 1941.) 580149 George Arthur STEWARD, D.F.M. (45375) London Gazette 28/3/1941 p.1811

580149, Sergeant George Arthur Steward. No. 17 Squadron. This airman has been continuously engaged in operations since May, 1940. He has shown excellent ability as a section leader over a long period of intensive air operations both in France and in England. Sergeant Steward has destroyed at least four enemy aircraft and shared in the destruction of others. He has displayed great tenacity throughout. LG 17/12/1940 p.7058

Ken

[Keith Bryers]

By way of a footnote, by searching the CWGC website, it looks as if the other 17 Sqn pilot in the mid-air collision was 1281237 Sgt C P Allsop RAFVR (18) who is buried at Kensal Green (St Mary's) R C Cemetery. Can anyone match the a/c with the pilot?

Keith

[kenmorrison]

Keith - Charles Patrick Allsop's death was registered at Tain in 1941, age 19.


Ken