421212 - Unaccounted airmen - 12-12-1942

[Henk Welting]

Looking for info on following airmen:

F/Lt (Pilot) Colin R. HEWLETT - DFC - 69438 - KOAS - death registered Athelstaneford, East Lothian, and

Sgt (Pilot) Horace RALPHS - 1237472 - DOWOIROAS (died of wounds or injuries received on active service) - death registered Southwell, Nottinghamshire.

Proposed aircraft losses:
Spitfire II.A - P7442 - 53 OTU - crashed Water End Farm, Coaley, Cambridge, Gloucestershire (believed due to throttle failure).
Tutor - K3276 - 18 (P)AFU - crashed in forced landing Withington, Staffordshire.
Anson I - DJ412 - 4 AGS - flew into ground Skirza Head, Caithness.
Argus II - EV774 - ATA - overshot landing Hamble.

Regards and thanks for your help.
Henk.

[Amrit]

Doesn't give a serial:

http://www.frenchaymuseumarchives.co.uk/Archives/PagesBiogy/Hewlett-Colin.htm

" In 1942, by now a Flight Lieutenant, he was transferred to Drem, East Midlothian, Scotland for a period of respite.

On 12th December 1942, Colin volunteered to test fly a Spitfire that had been repaired. During the flight there was an explosion in the engine and Colin was seen floating to the ground in his parachute; once more sparking off the comment from his friends that it was 'Colin's Luck' again.

But he was not so lucky this time; the explosion had broken his neck and he was found to be dead when he landed on the ground.

His body was brought back to Frenchay, where he was buried in the St John the Baptist Churchyard."

A

[Henk Welting]

Thanks Amrit. The Spitfire may have been AD115 of 222 Sqn (Ayr) forcelanded 21-8-1942 by Sgt L.J. MANSELL - AUS403924 at Drem after engine failure (a/c Cat Ac).

Regards,
Henk.

[Henk Welting]

Correct name of the Australian pilot was Lionel HANSELL. Couldn't find in his digital file a posting with 222 Sqn and info on a possible Spitfire mishap 21-8-1942.

Regards,
Henk.

[dennis_burke]

http://www.spitfires.ukf.net/p019.htm
AD115 Vb CBAF M45 6MU 30-8-41 306S 7-9-41 611S 8-3-42 243S 2-6-42 222S 11-8-42 FAAC 21-8-42 ros FACE 12-12-42

[AL90]

I have Flt.Lt. C.M Hewlett killed at Athelstaneford in Spitfire AD115 on 12/12/42. His place of burial is Franchay St.John's Gloucester.

[Henk Welting]

Thanks friends for your support, amended my file on AD115 and F/Lt HEWLETT - DFC.
Regards,
Henk.

[noggin1969]

11 December 1942 Oxford BG196 14 PAFU RAF Ossington. Approached too high and attempted to overshoot. The pilot raised the flaps too early and crashed at the end of the flare path of No2 runway at 23.30.
Sgt Horace Ralphs died 12 December at SSQ - Son of Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Ralphs, of Baddeley Edge.
AC1 B Jacob seriously injured and taken to RAF Hospital Rauceby.

[COL BRUGGY]

Hello,
Spitfire IIa - P7442.
The pilot of No.53 OTU Spitfire IIa P7442 was AUS405843 Sgt Hamilton Alexander DOUGLAS RAAF. Douglas was injured and spent a lot of time in hospital. On 17 March, 1944, he was injured in the crash of 54 OTU Martinet I EM481. He died of his injuries the following day
Col..