410517 - Unaccounted airmen - 17-5-1941

[alclark]

Cowan was in the 54 OTU Defiant, I see that the ORB records a slightly different serial for an aircraft that was written off in October 1940.

May 17th 1941, “There was a fatal accident, involving Defiant aircraft No.N1578. The pilot
No.990448 Sgt V.M. Russell went into the ground at speed when taking off. This was during
night flying practice, at 0350 hrs; and it is presumed he failed to use his instruments. The pilot was slightly injured, but his Air Gunner, No.535102 Sgt R. Cowan, was killed. The aircraft was burnt out. There was a second accident during night flying; Blenheim No.L1302, piloted by P/O M.W. Kinmouth, overshot during its approach after both engines had failed owing to the pilot making wrong use of his cold air system which caused the carburettor to ice up. The aircraft was written off, but the pilot uninjured.”

I don't have anything about the others.

[Dick]

Hi Henk
Given what Al has put later about Cowan, his death could be registered at Selby rather than at Tadcaster(more usual for Church Fenton)the areas do seem to be very close and you have the Defiant as crashing 3 mls East of the Airfield.
Regards
Dick

[Marks]

Thanks again Henk

Re Dawson I can easily believe 17 SFTS instead of 17 OTU, but what I can't understand if he died at Cranwell why is he listed on the RAF Overseas Death list !

Another mystery !

Thanks again

Mark

[Henk Welting]

Thanks Al and Dick for additional info.
Mark: On Overseas Death List because he was from Canada ?
Regards,
Henk.

[RockHound]

LAC James Nicholson SWANSTON's death, aged 26, is registered at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary from natural causes but the date given is 14th May 1941. No service number recorded.

Regards,

David

[Henk Welting]

Thanks David. Will sustain to CWGC's date 17-5-1941.
Regards,
Henk.

[paulmcmillan]

Who has a pilot's name for Hurricane V7225 of 1401 Flight, crashed after collision 17-5-1941.
Regards,
Henk.

P/O McDiermid Killed - Foreman - Turning Point Part 2

Though I can't find him on CWGC!

[paulmcmillan]

What did the Hurricane collide with was it Wellington R1587

[paulmcmillan]

Hurricane Pilot was IAIN ROBERTSON MACDIARMID DFC #43420

Please can anyone confirm death registration district - If it was nearly Ely Cambridge. it looks like the Collision would be with the Wellington

[Dick]

Hi Paul
Macdiarmid doesn't show on the England and Wales Register in the 2nd Qtr of1941 but is on CWGC, d-o-d 17/5/41( I think your 1st spelling was slightly out). His family were in Scotland and he may have died there.
Regards
Dick