ATC casualties WW2

**paulmcmillan** · 13th October 2020, 22:47

Cadets *(Spitfire V* BM574 -* 29th* November 1942)
*On Sunday November 29th 1942, the Bedfont Squadron of Feltham’s Air Training Corps (ATC) Cadets were on duty at the aerodrome when an RAF Spitfire overshot the boundary and ran into the two lines of boys.* One, Cadet Allum of Waterloo Crescent, Feltham, aged 17 at the time, was killed and six others were injured in the accident.
*Witnesses at the inquest described seeing the airplane coming in to land very fast, touching down about 160 metres from the outer edge of the aerodrome.* It then appeared to skid, one wing crashing into an ambulance and narrowly missed a row of petrol pumps. The Flight Sergeant in charge of the cadets said that he thought that the airplane was landing a little too close to the road, but did not realise it was not going to stop, otherwise he would have warned the cadets to get out of the way.
*The pilot of the Spitfire, Sergeant Anthony Smith, had been delivering the craft for inspection. Although he had never landed at Hanworth before (which was surprising given he lived in Isleworth), had made three observational circles as a precaution before landing. He had been told that Hanworth was a ‘very small ground for a machine of the type he was flying’ as the aircraft had a high landing speed. The pilot had been flying for 15 months and did not consider he was flying too fast.* He realised he was overshooting the aerodrome as he touched down, but by then, it was too late to take off again due to the number of buildings nearby.* Although the pilot applied the brakes, it was impossible to do so at once when landing at speed. The coroner found that the pilot had not been negligent and that the cadet’s death and the injuries suffered by the other cadets was accidental. In the depths of 1940, this tragic accident would have added to the other deaths and injuries being experienced by the residents of Feltham and Hanworth.

https://www.environmenttrust.org/air...orth-aerodrome

John Martin Allum

**jonheyworth** · 13th October 2020, 23:40

Cheers , let’s hope we can get him the commemoration and head stone he deserves. I’m fairly confident

**PeterMoran** · 11th November 2020, 21:22

Not seen any mention of ATC Cadet William Nathaniel Powell who was killed on August 17th, 1945 whilst flying from RNAS Inskip in Lancashire. He was aboard Firefly MB688 which was being flown by S/Lt F H Davies of 816 Squadron. The account I have states that a number of cadets from 1175 (Birkenhead) Squadron ATC were on a week long camp at Inskip to carry out air experience flights. The funeral, at Bebington Cemetery, was attended by the unit's CO, F/Lt J B Bentley and other officers of the ATC. I haven't found Powell on the CWGC database although another cadet killed whilst flying from nearby Squires Gate, Cadet F/S L S Black is included.

Peter

**jonheyworth** · 12th November 2020, 09:05

Do you have details please ? Email me and I’ll submit it to the cwgc

**jonheyworth** · 12th November 2020, 09:07

Originally Posted by paulmcmillan

Cadets *(Spitfire V* BM574 -* 29th* November 1942)
*On Sunday November 29th 1942, the Bedfont Squadron of Feltham’s Air Training Corps (ATC) Cadets were on duty at the aerodrome when an RAF Spitfire overshot the boundary and ran into the two lines of boys.* One, Cadet Allum of Waterloo Crescent, Feltham, aged 17 at the time, was killed and six others were injured in the accident.
*Witnesses at the inquest described seeing the airplane coming in to land very fast, touching down about 160 metres from the outer edge of the aerodrome.* It then appeared to skid, one wing crashing into an ambulance and narrowly missed a row of petrol pumps. The Flight Sergeant in charge of the cadets said that he thought that the airplane was landing a little too close to the road, but did not realise it was not going to stop, otherwise he would have warned the cadets to get out of the way.
*The pilot of the Spitfire, Sergeant Anthony Smith, had been delivering the craft for inspection. Although he had never landed at Hanworth before (which was surprising given he lived in Isleworth), had made three observational circles as a precaution before landing. He had been told that Hanworth was a ‘very small ground for a machine of the type he was flying’ as the aircraft had a high landing speed. The pilot had been flying for 15 months and did not consider he was flying too fast.* He realised he was overshooting the aerodrome as he touched down, but by then, it was too late to take off again due to the number of buildings nearby.* Although the pilot applied the brakes, it was impossible to do so at once when landing at speed. The coroner found that the pilot had not been negligent and that the cadet’s death and the injuries suffered by the other cadets was accidental. In the depths of 1940, this tragic accident would have added to the other deaths and injuries being experienced by the residents of Feltham and Hanworth.

https://www.environmenttrust.org/air...orth-aerodrome

John Martin Allum

The CWGC will not change this one and he is listed as a civilian casualty by them

**PeterMoran** · 12th November 2020, 15:32

William Nathaniel Powell. Born 3/6/1926. Parents were George & Alice Powell of Linwood Road, Higher Tranmere, Birkenhead. A number of cadets from 1175 (Birkenhead) ATC Squadron arrived at RNAS Inskip on 11.8.45 for a week’s training. On Friday 17.8.44 Powell accompanied Sub/Lt (A) Francis H Davies RNVR of 816 Squadron on a local training flight. The aircraft was Firefly FR.1 MB688/’G’ . The Firefly was one of a formation of four flying at 2,500 feet when it suddenly dropped out of formation and dived into a potato field at Brow Farm, Holmeswood, near Tarleton, Lancashire. The aircraft was buried deeply in the ground and both occupants were killed.

Do you need any further information?

**jonheyworth** · 12th November 2020, 18:58

Hi Peter, a copy of an actual report or an ORB, death certificate etc., to stand a chance of CWGC acceptance

**PeterMoran** · 20th November 2020, 20:31

Hello Jon, I have a piece from the 'Birkenhead News' dated 25/8/45 but I'm struggling in trying to get it to you. It's so long since I've been on this site that I have forgotten the process for sending individual emails. I'll work on it!

Originally Posted by jonheyworth

Hi Peter, a copy of an actual report or an ORB, death certificate etc., to stand a chance of CWGC acceptance