400316 - Unaccounted Airmen - 16-03-1940

[Alex Smart]

Hello,

400316 - Unaccounted Airmen - 16-03-1940

From Henk's List -

UK
BLOOMFIELD, Richard Graham - Wng/CDR - 01043 - RAF - D.S.O.
Aldershot Military Cemetery, Hampshire.
Cause of death, an event post Court Marshall.

WHENHAM, John William Valentine - S/Lt(A) - RN - HMS Peregrine.
Haslar Royal Naval Cemetery, Hampshire.
Died from an illness.

From CWGC -

UK
GILLINGS, John William - Sgt - 564649 - RAF - 45 Sqn
Ipswich New Cemetery, Suffolk.
MORGAN, Edward Vincent - Lac - 532018 - RAF - 45 Sqn.
PIZZEY, Eric William - Lac - 566695 - RAF - 45 Sqn.
These two airmen rest at Andover Cemetery, Hampshire.
SWIRE-GRIFFITHS, William John - F/O(Pilot) - 39833 - RAF - 45 Sqn.
Penzance Cemetery, Cornwall.
The four airmen named above were crew of Blenheim IV - L9385 on a delivery Flight to the ME.
203 Sqn is associated with this a/c (?). L9385 hit the ground at Overtones, Hant's.
In Air81/1915(2029) listed as L9358.

Alex

[COL BRUGGY]

Hello,

400316 - Unaccounted Airmen - 16-03-1940

From Henk's List -

UK
BLOOMFIELD, Richard Graham - Wng/CDR - 01043 - RAF - D.S.O.
Aldershot Military Cemetery, Hampshire.
Cause of death, an event post Court Marshall.

WHENHAM, John William Valentine - S/Lt(A) - RN - HMS Peregrine.
Haslar Royal Naval Cemetery, Hampshire.
Died from an illness.

From CWGC -

UK
GILLINGS, John William - Sgt - 564649 - RAF - 45 Sqn
Ipswich New Cemetery, Suffolk.
MORGAN, Edward Vincent - Lac - 532018 - RAF - 45 Sqn.
PIZZEY, Eric William - Lac - 566695 - RAF - 45 Sqn.
These two airmen rest at Andover Cemetery, Hampshire.
SWIRE-GRIFFITHS, William John - F/O(Pilot) - 39833 - RAF - 45 Sqn.
Penzance Cemetery, Cornwall.
The four airmen named above were crew of Blenheim IV - L9385 on a delivery Flight to the ME.
203 Sqn is associated with this a/c (?). L9385 hit the ground at Overtones, Hant's.
In Air81/1915(2029) listed as L9358.

Alex

Hello,

UK
BLOOMFIELD, Richard Graham - Wng/Cdr. - 01043 - RAF - D.S.O.

Correct surname is, "BLOMFIELD" (Australian)*

BLOMFIELD, Wing Commander Richard Graham, Royal Air Force (1043) [sic], Distinguished Service Order, Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough, Hants, Fighter Command, 16 March 1940, Suicide, Found gassed at his home in Farnborough, Hants after being court martialled for theft, Age 50, Farnborough, Hants, Aldershot Military Cemetery, Hants.

See:
Failed To Return Airmen Died in the Second World War 1939-1945 Part 2, A-B.
Hobson,Chris.
Uckfield:Naval & Military Press,2019.
p.724.

* http://www.56sqnfirebirds.org.uk/COs/RG_Blomfield.htm

Col.

[COL BRUGGY]

Hello,

UK
GILLINGS, MORGAN, PIZZEY & SWIRE-GRIFFITHS.

Appendix 3 - Non-operational Blenheim losses 1 January to 9 May 1940.

16-3-1940

Blenheim IV L9385 (new).

Failed to reach 203 Squadron when 20 MU Delivery Flight Pilot F/O W Swire-Griffiths lost control in cloud and crashed at Overton, Hants, killing himself, Sgt J Gillings (Obs.), and two ground crew passengers, LAC E. Morgan and LAC E. Pizzey.

See:
The Bristol Blenheim A Complete History.
Warner,Graham.
Manchester:Crecy Publishing,2005 (2nd rev. ed.)
p.169

Col.