430204 - Unaccounted airmen - 4-2-1943

[Henk Welting]

What were the places of death registration for:

A - Died on active service:
Cpl Edward W. HOBBS - 1329575 - age 38 - 7 Sqn (Oakington, Cambs.).

B - Killed on active service:
Sgt (Pilot) Thomas J. RUFF - 1390378, and
Sgt (Pilot) Norman J.G. SMITH - 1342102.

C - Proposed aircraft losses:
Henley I - L3297 - 1605 Flt - crashed in forced landing on beach 3 miles N of Towyn.
Oxford I - R6286 - 11 (P)AFU - flew into ground Uttoxeter, Shropshire.
Hudson VI - FK692 - 10 MU - crashed in forced landing Ballingers Farm, Chedworth, Glos.
Hurricane II.C - BD959 - 2 Dly Flt - Abandoned after engine cut; dived into ground Killingworth Castle Inn, Wootton, Woodstock, Oxfordshire.

Regards and thanks for your help.
Henk.

[Dick]

Hi Henk
Hobbs,38,registered at Westminster,Central London
Ruff,22, and Smith,21, registered at Shrewsbury, Shropshire.This may connect them to the same incident.Oxford R6286 is a possible candidate except you have it as crashing at Utoxeter which is not in Shropshire but many miles away in Staffordshire. The AB Serials P1000-R9999 has it at Utoxeter as well, but states that it hit cables over the River Severn which would place it in Shropshire.
The nearest guess I can find is a town called Wroxeter which is on the River Severn about 8 mls S E of Shrewsbury and is within the Shrewsbury registration area. It is also a likely site for cables to be strung across the river
Regards
Dick

[alclark]

Uttoxeter is an incorrect location, the crash of R6286 was at Wroxeter.

February 4th 1943, “Wroxeter Salop. K.0129. Fatal Accident. Oxford I R6286. This aircraft, in which 1342102 Sgt Ruff, T.J. crashed in a large field and was totally wrecked, both occupants being killed instantly. It appeared that the aircraft had struck some high tension cables immediately prior to the accident, but the cause was obscure and an Investigation was asked for.”

February 4th 1943, SSQ, “Flying accident near Condover. Oxford aircraft. Fatal injuries sustained by:- 1342102 Sgt Smith, Multiple injuries, fractured base of skull. 1370376 Sgt Ruff, Multiple injuries, fractured base of skull.”

[Henk Welting]

Thanks Al & Dick for quick and excellent response. As ever very much appreciated.
Regards,
Henk.

[thorne83]

Sgt's Ruff and Smith were flying from the Satellite airfield at Condover and the cause was indeed due to a collision with HT cables, which the pilot failed to see in the heavy rainstorm they were flying through.

Cheers, Tom

[Henk Welting]

Thanks Tom for additional info on R6286.
Regards,
Henk.

[jonheyworth]

Edwin William Hobbs 1329575 | attached to Number 7 Radio School | died of heart failure and coronary atheroma