F/O M Bocquet, RAF

**andy wis** · 11th August 2009, 12:08

Hi, All: does anyone have any information regarding this officer, killed in a flying accident on the 4th February 1938. According to "Flight" magazine, he was with 111 Sqn. Any ideas as to what aircraft he was flying. 111 Sqn converted to Hurricanes in early '38, but the listing of "L" series Hurricanes does not include any losses which tie up with a Hurricane crash...

regards,

Andy WIS

**paulmcmillan** · 11th August 2009, 13:01

Andy

Accident was 1st Feb 1938 and was a definately a Hurricane

The Times of Wednesday, Feb 02, 1938 says 'yesterday' and says Hurricane the aircraft crashed at a 'spinney on the edge of the Swakeleys estate' -

MERVYN SEYMOUR BOCQUET

Looks like it is L1556

Paul

**andy wis** · 12th August 2009, 10:00

Hi, Paul:

Thank-you very much for your reply to my posting. The S/N's I have of the early Hurricanes don't give all the losses; could it be old data?? Thanks to the knowledge/generosity of this Forum, I think you are all correct in making it the loss of L1556.....

Regards,

Andy Wis

**paulmcmillan** · 12th August 2009, 13:00

Originally Posted by andy wis

The S/N's I have of the early Hurricanes don't give all the losses; could it be old data??

If you could post the losses then prehaps the people here could fill in the blanks!

There was an old posting on TOCH in 2007 which listed the following Hurricane Losses in 1938 - which I have updated with latest info

1-2-38 - 111 Sqn - L1556 - Dived into ground 1 mile W of Northolt. Pilot hit head on Hood. Pilot: F/O Mervyn Seymour Bocquet Killed.
10-5-38 - 3 Sqn - L1579 - Stalled on approach and dived into ground Kenley. Pilot: P/O Hugh Henry-May Killed
19-5-38 - 111 Sqn - L1551 - Bellylanded at Ickenham, M'sex. To 2307M.
14-7-38 - 111 Sqn - L1550 - Bellylanded Colnbrook, Bucks.
20-7-38 - 111 Sqn - L1549 - Crashed at Hillingdon, Middlesex whilst on approach to Northolt. No. 563163 Sgt. Maurice Reginald Kenedy Smith Killed
6-9-38 - N/A - L1652 - Crashed on test before delivery after take-off from Weybridge, Surrey. Pilot: John Hindmarsh (Hawker Test Pilot) killed
14-9-38 - 87 Sqn - "L1620" - 14th September 1938 with its pilot Sgt. Thomas Frederick Dowsett Dewdney killed at Holbeach Ranges, Lincs. ? But is this really L1620 or maybe L1626 (see below)? as L1620 was lost 19-5-40 with P/O H. Dunn shot down near Orchies, pilot wounded, he baled out.
29-9-38 - 56 Sqn - L1603 - Undershot landing at night & DBR at North Weald, Essex - To 1181M.
6-10-38 - 111 Sqn - L1553 - Bellylanded in error & DBR at Northolt, Middlesex, to 1430M.
6-10-38 - 85 Sqn - L1648 - Overshot into hedge & DBR landing at Debden, Essex
27-10-38 - 85 Sqn - L1651 - Engine failed overshot & DBR while Landing at Aldergrove, County Antrim - To 1215M.
11-38 - L1710 Sqn - To SAAF became "272" Cr nr Beaufort West 6.9.39 on t/o 2 Lt. R.F.Armstrong safe.
11-38 - L1711 Sqn - To SAAF became "273" Cr 5-3-41with 2 Lt. D.L. Taylor safe.
9-11-38 - 85 Sqn - L1656 - Overshot & DBR on Landing Debden, Essex To 1232M.
19-11-38 - 87 Sqn - L1626 - ? Engine failed, hit tree & crashed on Take Off at Debden, Essex. However, maybe L1625 ? Old post on RAFCommands "L1625 was SOC on 27.3.39 and allotted as 1370M on the following day 'ex 87 Squadron'. 1370M was sent to No.1 SoTT, Halton, and Reduced to Produce there on 17.12.43. Neither the Form 78 for this aircraft nor the 'Delivery Record' which often records the reason for aircraft write-off refer to any incident. The back of the Form 78 has the reference 757209/38 E.1 in the 'casualty' box but this gives no details of what the reference says."
24-11-38 - 1 Sqn - L1677 - Skidded on wet grass, overshot & tipped up landing at Tangmere, Sussex To 1226M.
12-12-38 - 85 Sqn - L1604 - Undershot & hit ditch after engine failed on Approach Debden, Essex - To 1468M.
20-12-38 - 85 Sqn - L1634 - Engine failed, forcelanded hit ditch & overturned near Debden, Essex - To 1358M.

**paulmcmillan** · 13th August 2009, 22:55

Picture of Dewdney (mis-labelled) here:

http://www.rafmuseumphotos.com/pictures_1329424/lorimer-feeny-and-dowdney-of-87-squadron.html

**paulmcmillan** · 10th November 2017, 09:08

24-11-38 - 1 Sqn - L1677 - Skidded on wet grass, overshot & tipped up landing at Tangmere, Sussex To 1226M.

Pilot was Acting P/O Gordon Ian Thomson (RAFO) #70878. He was killed 19/03/1940 in Spitfire L1026 while on 603 Sqn

in AFL 1938 he was RAFO 'A" Class - and he died aged 20 - He learnt to fly at 18 - I assume he learnt to fly privately then joined RAFO as a Reserve rather than via AAF and RAFVR route

**Andy Marden** · 10th November 2021, 20:17

Mention of L1620 in a current thread: http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/sho...918#post166918
leads me to enquire if the 87 Sqn machine lost on 14 Sep 38 with the death of Sgt Dewdney has ever been conclusively identified?

**paulmcmillan** · 10th November 2021, 22:52

Iain Arnold the L Series hurricane experts say “

Hi Paul
Info I have L1620 crashed into the sea holbeach ranges 14.9.38 sgt deeney killed. L1626 crashed near debden 19.11.38 sgt l Francis injured.
Hope this helps Iain”