430130 - Unaccounted airmen - 30-1-1943

[Henk Welting]

What were the places of death registration for:

A - Not found in Flight archives:
LAC James H. BALL - 854513 - 920 (Balloon) Sqn (Fazakerley, Merseyside).

B - Killed on active service:
Sgt (Pilot) Kenneth R. BLASKEY - 612308;
Sgt (Pilot) James R. CRAVEN - 844256;
F/Sgt (Pilot) Edward A. MERRY - 933067, and
Sgt (WOp/Ag) Albert C. POULTON - 1264788.

C - Proposed aircraft losses:
Anson I - L7964 - CNS - crashed in forced landing Longdown Farm, Great Kimble, Buckinghamshire.
Oxford II - X7261 - 3 FIS - crashed on take-off ¼ mile SW of Babdown Farm.
Horsa I Glider - HG985 - Horsa Flight - crashed in forced landing Somerford, near Christchurch, Hampshire.
Horsa I Glider - DP798 - HGCU - crashed on landing at night Brize Norton.
Master II - AZ319 - 2 FIS - flew into high ground at night Canterland Farm, Hillside, near Montrose.

Regards and thanks for your help.
Henk.

[malcolm_raf]

Hi Henk

LAC James H. BALL - 854513 - 920 (Balloon) Sqn (Fazakerley, Merseyside). - not Eng/Wales

The following are all registerd in Wycombe, Buckinghamshire

Sgt (Pilot) Kenneth R. BLASKEY - 612308;
Sgt (Pilot) James R. CRAVEN - 844256; -
F/Sgt (Pilot) Edward A. MERRY - 933067, and
Sgt (WOp/Ag) Albert C. POULTON - 1264788.

probably L7964?

Malcolm

[Henk Welting]

As ever, thanks Malcolm for your valuable info.
Regards,
Henk.

[alclark]

AZ319 was in the 2 FIS ORB, with J/9336 P/O A.E. David and 1314261 Sgt Young C.R. as the crew. Both survived the crash and died of injuries, Young in the ambulance en-route to Stracathro hospital and David at just after midnight on the 30th / 31st.

And, the following came from the Central Navgiation School ORB,

January 30th 1943, “Anson L7964 crashed at Longdown Farm, Gt. Kimble, Bucks. Crew Killed, Pilot 933067 Sgt Merry, E.A., W/Op 1264788, Sgt Poulton C.A., Pupil Navs 612308 Sgt Blaskey, K.R., 844256 Sgt Craven, J.R.”

[Henk Welting]

Thanks Al; AZ319 was in my files, however without info on death.

BLASKEY and CRAVEN (on the Anson) are both listed by CWGC as 'Pilot' (will amend my files in: Pilot/Nav u/t).

Regards,
Henk.

[wwrsimon]

Hello

LAC James H. BALL - 854513 - the Liverpool Echo of February 2nd 1943 carried the following announcement:

BALL - Jan. 30 suddenly, in Ireland, JAMES HENRY HALL (L.A.C., R.A.F.), beloved husband of May and loving daddy of Billy.

Regards

Simon

[RecklessRat]

Not listed above but in the database as 'unaccounted'

992496 LAC Robert STRACHAN RAFVR
http://www.rafcommands.com/database/wardead/details.php?qnum=113785
https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2682157/strachan,-robert/

Robert Strachan
'Aircraft Mechanic, Private 992496, 209 Squadron, Royal Air Force'
Died 30 January 1943 at Addington Hospital, Durban, aged 22, of 'dislocation of cervical vertebrae; myetitis; hypostatic pneumonia. The injuries were received whilst bathing at the South Beach, Durban, probably through deceased diving and striking the sand - accidental'

From the Form of Information of a Death on FamilySearch
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C912-T37M-J?cc=2721608

[jonheyworth]

James Henry Ball 854513 , attached to 920 Squadron , died at Fountains Hill, Londonderry of a coronary thrombosis