58 sqn costal command losses Aug 1942

[Ravrick]

Hi, I am trying to find out more about Sgt A F Sparham who was killed on 3rd August 1942 whilst on operations with 58 sqn coastal command, I belive he was flying anti submarine patrols in a halifax, but I cannot locate any losses on this day. can anybody shed any light on this? Maybe the aircraft was only damaged?

Cheers, Rick

[AlanW]

Rick,
I have a reference to a 58sqdn Whitley that stalled and spun-in whilst attempting a landing at Wick on the day mentioned, but no other details as to crew or serial number, i'm sure that someone here has though. Have sent you a file via email.
Alan.

[dennis_burke]

If you work around with Geoff Sullivans website you can find three RAF casualties for this date on CWGC

F/Sgt W A Friendship (Obs)
Sgt A F Sparham (W.Op./Air Gnr.)
Sgt P M Stewart (Air Gnr.)

also an RCAF airman
F/Sgt K M Byers, (W.Op./Air Gnr.) who is buried in Wick cemetery. Most Commonwealth airmen would be buried close to the location fo the incident that took their lives, so when checking its cemtery reports:
http://www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_reports.aspx?cemetery=74538&mode=1

You will find that as well as Byers for this date, also in the cemetery is
Sgt K G Dunn RNZAF (Pilot)
Sgt M W Randall RNZAF (Pilot)

both listed for 58 Squadron.

Fligth magazine Casualty listings show that they were all 'Killed on Active Service' so it was likely not a patrol mission but a training mission.

http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/
Search for Sparham and find the names above on the page of the pdf.

In lieu of Errol being online from NZ, its worth checking out the Cenotaph Database from New Zealand.
http://muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/cenotaph/locations.aspx

A reference to the crash is here:
http://www.caithness.org/wings/others/cfcheekley.htm

Crashed on ferry flight to Wick.






Though someone likely has given you the proper answer while I've been typing this

[Errol Martyn]

Rick,

From my 'For Your Tomorrow - A record of New Zealanders who have died while serving with the RNZAF and Allied Air Services since 1915 (Volume TOne: Fates 1915-1942)':

Mon 3 Aug 1942
Coastal Command
Squadron move to Wick, Caithness-shire (18 Group)
58 Squadron, RAF (St Eval, Cornwall - 19 Group)
Whitley VII Z9518 - while carrying out an overshoot at 1100 stalled and spun in from 300-400 feet at Wick. All six occupants on board died, the two pilots and an RCAF wireless operator being buried at Wick.
Captain: NZ41493 Flt Sgt Malcolm William RANDALL, RNZAF - Age 25. 468hrs (318 on Whitley) 23 ops.
2nd Pilot: NZ414605 Sgt Kenneth Gordon DUNN, RNZAF - Age 20.

Unable to confirm other names, they do not appear on the service records of the above.

Errol

[Ravrick]

Hi, further to this info does anybody have a copy of the ORB for 58 sqn for jan-Aug 1942? I would be interested to see what Ops A F Sparham completed.

Many thanks, Rick