11 FTS Parachute Jump 27 November 1935 - LAC MacDonald

[paulmcmillan]

This entry until today was a 1 line entry I know a lot more now - But am hoping others can fill in more detail

LAC MacDonald of 11 FTS Wittering baled out of an aircraft on 27 November 1935 at Easton-on-the-Hill, near Stamford. The plane crashed in a field and he was OK escape for shock and a cut to the face.

I belive him to be LAC G MacDonald and the aircrfat to be either a Hart, Fury or Audax can anyone ID him or t properly ? Thanks Paul

[Resmoroh]

Paul,
Easton-on-the-Hill is nobbut a kilometre from the NW boundary of the present RAF Wittering - so yr man hadn't gone very far!!
The local rag (Stamford Mercury?) claims to have the biggest Archive of any paper in the country! If nobody comes up with the goods you may have to go down that route. Alternatively, the Marquess of Exeter's archives (at Burghley House) may have something (the Marquess seemed to own most of that bit of the then Lincolnshire!). He still owned the shooting rights at RAF Wittering when I was there. I little realised that the odd pheasant/rabbit/hare we knocked off on a quiet weekend might have resulted in me being Transported To The Colonies for Life!! (Some say it should have been so!).
HTH
Peter Davies

[paulmcmillan]

Peter

Thnaks will have to go on my list to look up if get to Colindale before all digitized!

Paul

[Litcham_Lad]

Paul,

From ABS 'The K File'

Hart Trainer K4963 delivered to 11FTS on 01-Nov-35 and 'Crashed 27-Nov-35'; NFD: SOC 10-Feb-36 (27.05hrs)

a likely contender?

dg

[paulmcmillan]

Litcham Lad

yes - Thanks I think you have it!

much appreciated

Paul

[paulmcmillan]

Update

AIR 10/1582 Report on Flying accidents during July-Dec 1935 Page 19 (6)A pupil pilot flying a Hart thought (wrongly) that fire had broken out in the air. (The suspected symptom of fire were stream from the radiator). He landed unhurt

Still looking for the full name of LAC G MacDonald

[Lyffe]

Paul,

You don't say if you followed up Peter's suggestion. If not I suggest you contact the Lincolnshire Library Service and ask for a search of archived newspapers for a report of the accident. (You are probably aware the headquarters of county library services maintain archives of local newspapers.)

Go to http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/residents/discover-libraries/find-your-local-library/ and use the contact questionnaire halfway down the right of the page. Might be a small search fee.

Brian

[paulmcmillan]

Brian

Thanks for suggestion some of Stamford Mercury newspapers (up to 1929) have been recently digitized on the British Newspaper Archives, I will wait a few months to see if anymore are (its a bit hit and miss)

Paul

[Lyffe]

Peter,

In my experience a librarian will go straight to the archive and scan through the relevant editions. In this instance - peacetime, proximity to Stamford and one weekly edition - it should not be that hard to find.

Brian

[paulmcmillan]

Ok taken the advice and asked on online lets see if anything occurs!

[paulmcmillan]

Brian

Well I look your advice and Lincolnshire Library Service suggested I contact Stamford library and they just very kindly sent me a scan!

It provides much more information than I had before on the incident, but I still lack the first name as is not mentioned :(

I wonder if a roll call on 11 FTS at Wittering in 1935 exists anywhere?

Great suggestion!

Paul