1941 Unaccounted Airmen Database Reconciliation

[paulmcmillan]

Date : 1941-09-23 Unit:216 Sqdn fatalities :6 (Possibly a Bombay - No mention in ORB)


https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=...9TAaQQ6AEIKjAA


Air Pictorial, Volume 26 1964

Service History and fate of each Bombay


L5822 crashed near Heliopolis 23rs Sept 1941

https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=16947

[Jagan]

Thanks Paul and Simon. I have been making updates as i keep seeing them.

Also added the first chart here to track the progress.

http://www.rafcommands.com/database/wardead/charts.php

[wwrsimon]

Thanks Jagan.

On with the next batch:

Frederic Fernley Saunders OLDHAM (382) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he was killed in Tiger Moth 4078 of 5 E.F.T.S., which crashed 10 miles east of High River Aerodrome, Alberta, at 18.40. He was the sole occupant of the aircraft.

Asa Howard KEITH (R/77508) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he was killed in Harvard 2693 of 9 S.F.T.S., which crashed a short distance from Summerside Aerdrome, Prince Edward Island, at 14.20. He was the sole occupant of the Harvard, which collided with another aircraft in mid-air and lost a wing, the spun into the ground. See also O'DONNELL, below.

John James O'DONNELL (R/72655) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he died at the Station Hospital at 9 S.F.T.S., Summerside, Prince Edward Island on July 22nd at 21.50 due to injuries received in a flying accident. He had been admitted to hospital at 15.00 on July 20th. His accident was 'collision with another aircraft in mid-air' in Harvard 2852 at 14.20. Presumably the other aircraft involved in Asa Howard KEITH's accident.

Dennis James YOUNG (R/61155) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he was killed in Harvard 2520 of the Central Flying School, which crashed one mile south of Mountain View Airport at 22.55. He was the sole occupant of the Harvard.

Robert Murray BRYANT (R/65736) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he was killed in Grumman Goblin 336 of 118 Squadron, which crashed at Lawrenceton, Nova Scotia at 16.45.

Allan Gower PRATT (J/6031)
Ronald Laird McDAVID (R/73032)
Martin Edward TOMSETT (C/1069)
Mervyn Samuel HUNT (R/60720)
William Hume MATHER (J/3479)
Thomas James Larmour CRAWFORD (R/65841)
Their respective R.C.A.F. Service Files record that they were killed in Digby 742 of 10 (BR) Squadron, which crashed two miles north east of R.C.A.F. Station Newfoundland at 03.10 GMT. Tomsett was the pilot. See also: http://www.planecrashgirl.ca/2016/02/19/rcaf-digby-742/

Joseph William Henri Louis MONFETTE (R/55613) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he was killed in Tiger Moth 4184 of 16 E.F.T.S., which crashed two to three miles north east of Edmonton Airfield at 19.45. He was flying with his instructor, D. R. B. Anderson, undergoing dual instruction, when whilst performing 'sequence 21' the left upper and lower wings collapsed. The instructor baled out and tried to pull Monfette with him, to no avail.

Henry Glendinning BEATY (R/82923) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he drowned at Grand Bend, Ontario, while off duty. Cause obscure.

Elmer James STANLEY (R/85784)
Francis Douglas GELDARD (R/83930)
Stanley's R.C.A.F. Service File records that he was killed in Anson 6375 of 8 S.F.T.S., which crashed half a mile from the runway at Moncton at 18.35. It had colided with Anson 6379 while coming in to land. He was the sole occupant of the aircraft. Geldart's R.C.A.F. Service File states that he was also killed in an Anson which collided with another aircraft at Moncton while coming in to land - no further details.

Frederick William GREENFIELD (R/87072)
Ian Mcdonnell Sutherland BROWN (C/1450)
Greenfield's R.C.A.F. Service File records that they were killed when Anson 6568 of 3 S.F.T.S. crashed 45 miles west of Calgary at 17.00. Also on board was R/86606 L.A.C. Alexander McMillan Reid McGruther, who was seriously injured. The Anson was carrying out unauthorised low flying in Canyon Creek Valley whilst attempting to turn at the west end of the valley, its tail struck a tree and it crashed in trees on the upper slope of Mt. McDougal. Brown was the instructor and pilot of the Anson, and Greenfield and McGruther both pupil pilots.

Gordon Fred Cyril BROWN (R/101665) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he died at Regina General Hospital due to encephalomyelitis.

Henry Orville RICHARDSON (R/87410) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he was killed in Cessna Crane 7700 of 4 S.F.T.S., which crashed one mile north east of Saskatoon Main aerodrome at 15.35, soon after take off.

George Thomas John WOODHAMS (R/58453)
Gerald John ELIOTT (R/60107)
Woodham's R.C.A.F. Service File recorda that they were killed in Anson 2388 of No. 2 Air Navigation School, with pilot 39003 F/Lt. W. S .L. Smallman R.A.F. and 1058228 Sgt. S. Street, R.A.F. The Anson was searching for Anson 2397 which had been lost on a training flight, and it is thought they hads sighted one if its crew near Liverpool, Nova Scotia, and dived to investigate. The wing of 2388 struck a high tree and it plummeted into the ground.

John Andrew BUCKHAM (R/96233) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he died at Christie St. Hospital, Toronto, due to 'Acute Pneumonitis, probably Tubercular (Miliary).'

Ronald George MEASOR (R/98023) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he was killed in Cessna Crane 7681 of 4 S.F.T.S., which crashed 16 to 18 miles north west of Blaine Lake, Saskatoon at approximately 09.30 while on a cross-country navigation exercise. The Cessna struck the crest of a hill in unfavourable weather condtions. Also killed was R/98032 L.A.C. William Stevens MORRISS.

Donald Graham McLEOD (R/70652) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he died in hospital as the result on injuries sustained in Tiger Moth 4247 of 31 E.F.T.S., which crashed 12 miles north west fo Calgary Airport at 07.30. The file records that there was a second un-named occupant of the aircraft, fate unkown.

Brian Allan McCALLUM (J/5075) his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he was killed in Tiger Moth 5112 of 31 S.F.T.S., which crashed two and half miles north of Delacour, Alberta at approximately 11.55. A second un-named occupant, in the rear seat, was apparently uninjured.

Regards

Simon

[wwrsimon]

Hello again

A few more Canadians:

Austin Newton VAN ALLEN (R/61061)
Raymond Edward SHAW (C/1064)
Van Allen's R.C.A.F. Service File records that they were killed in Catalina Z2139 of 116 (BR) Sqn, which crashed on Lake Melville, Labrador.
Crew as follows:
C.1964 F/Lt. R. E. Shaw - captain - killed
C.195 S/Ldr. M. G. Doyle - second pilot - uninjured
R.61061 Sgt. An. N. Van Allen - Observer - killed
R.62926 Sgt. D. H. Fraser - WAG - uninjured
R.62779 Sgt. J. G. C. Cook - WAG - uninjured
R.54949 LAC G. H. Forrester - 1st eng. - slightly injured
R.64268 AC1 A. H. Enchin - 2nd eng. - uninjured
C.1765 F/O W. G. McCardell (unit listed as E.A.C.) - passenger - uninjured
Aircraft struck heavy seas on landing, damaging the bow and allowing water to enter the hull and sink the aircraft.
See also: https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/...ur-William.htm

John Lorne CAIL (R/55907) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he was killed in Harvard 2860 of 9 S.F.T.S., which crashed on take off at Summerside, Prince Edward Island, at 14.45. The Harvard swerved on take off, left the runway and struck a crash-tender some 100 feet from the runway at the leaward end. He was the sole occupant of the Harvard.

Loriman Samuel PERCIVAL (C/5571)
Joseph Frederick LAYCOCK (J/6224)
Their respective R.C.A.F. Service File recorda that they were killed in Harvard 1323 of the Central Flying School, which crashed at Second Concession, township of West Huntingdon, Ontario, at 19.30.

Wallace RICHARDS (C/2255)
Francis Evan Robert BRIGGS (C/199)
Richard's R.C.A.F. Service file recorda that they were killed in Cessna Crane 7919 of the Test and Development Establishment. which crashed 3 miles south west of Ramsayville, Ontario, at 11.40. They were undertaking dive testing of the aircraft.
Richards was formerly a member of the R.A.F., joining in 1931, and was Scientific Officer at the Air Defence Experimental Establishment, Biggin Hill, from 1932 to 1936, and then went to the Malayan Meterological Service in July 1936.

Melville Mason HART (R/102679) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he was killed in Fleet Finch 4695 of 12 E.F.T.S., which crashed at Kitchener Field, Ontario at 09.30. The pilot was R/68367 T/Sgt. K. P. Parr, who was seriously injured. The Court of Inquiry recorded that, in their opinion, the aircraft stalled while attempting areobatics at a low level, entered into a spin with insufficient height to revover, and struck the ground.

Claude Russell MOORE (R/69423) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he was killed in Harvard 2851 of 9 S.F.T.S., which crashed at 22.30, half a mile north of Summerside airfield, Prince Edward Island. He was the sole occupant of the aircraft, which, after taking off from the airfield, climbed to around 500 feet, turned to the left, lost height and crashed. Cause obscure.

Elwood Wallace McFALL (R/54117) - his R.C.A.F Service File records that he was lost aboard Hudson AE545 of R.A.F. Ferry Command.

James Richmond BLACKWOOD (R/116449) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he was killed in Tiger Moth 4124 of 14 E.F.T.S., which crashed 1 mile east of Newton, Manitoba at 11.00 after colliding with another aircraft.

Regards

Simon

[wwrsimon]

Hello again

More details for some of the Canadians:

Charles Eardley WILMOT (C/741) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he was killed when the airscrew of a taxying Harvard struck him as he walked across the taxi strip at 2 S.F.T.S., Uplands, Ontario.

Gordon Ameson YEARSLEY (R/78680)
Robert Dixon WILKES (J/5119)
Yearsley's R.C.A.F. Service File records that they were killed in Harvard 2604 of 1 S.F.T.S., which crashed half a mile south of Bank, Collingwood, Ontario. The Harvard was performing a sequence of authorised aerobatics when it crashed on top of a 1,100 feet plateau.

Thomas Gerald STEVENSON (R/116433) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he was killed in Tiger Moth 4110 of 14 E.F.T.S., which crashed 1 mile east and three miles south of Newton, Manitoba at 11.00. Also in the Tiger Moth was R/98833 L.A.C. Keith Alexander McPHADDEN, who sustained a broken ankle and minor injuries.

Walter (Martin) DISBROWE (R/116603)
Dougald Alexander CAMPBELL (R/78830)
Campbell's (poorly reproduced) R.C.A.F. Service File records that they were killed in Fleet Finch 4434, which crashed four miles south of London, Ontario. See: http://www.rwrwalker.ca/RCAF_4400_4449_detailed.html

Kenneth Edgar HEAL (R/97211) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he was killed when he walked into the airscrew of taxying Battle Target Tug 1898 at 7 B&G School, Paulson, Manitoba at 08.03.

James ROBINSON (C/3201)
Karl Mander GRAVELL (R/97644)
Robinson's R.C.A.F. Service File records that they were killed in Menasco Moth 4833, of 2 Wireless School, Calgary, which crashed at Simon's Valley, 20 miles north east of Calgary at 11.05. Robinson was killed in the crash, and Gravell died of his injuries in Colonel Belcher Hospital, Calgary at around 16.00.

John Wylie WOOD (J/4556)
Albert Byrne JOBIN (C/850)
Wood's R.C.A.F. Service File records that they were killed in Lysander 423, which crashed at Millidgeville Airport, St John, New Brunswick at 10.15. Cause of crash listed as 'loss of flying speed.'

Peter Alexander TAIT (R/93431)
Richard David HILES (656197)
Tait's R.C.A.F Service File records that they were killed in Harvard 3020 of 2 S.F.T.S., which crashed 2 miles west of Chrysler, Ontario at 17.30.

Joseph AHO (R/95601) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he was kiiled in Fleet Finch 4605 of 6 E.F.T.S., which crashed at Lot 96, Niagara Township, County of Lincoln, Ontario. He was on a routine solo flight, and the aircraft is believed to have spun into the ground.

Robert Haig GUTHRIE (R/93322) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he was killed in Harvard 3110 of 13 S.F.T.S., which crashed in severe fog one mile north of St. Hubert Airport at 02.20. He was the sole occupant of the aircraft.

Francis Ross COOK (R/100837) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he was killed when Anson 6477 of 16 S.F.T.S. collided with Anson 6734 on approach to Hagersville aerodrome at 17.10. The pilot of 6734, L.A.C. Lionel Louis Victor TOUPIN was slightly injured. Both aircraft were on authorised solo practice flights.

James PRYOR (R/92759) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he was killed in Harvard AJ763 of 34 S.F.T.S., which was lost on a solo night flying exercise. All aircraft were recalled to base at 18.00 after the cloud base lowered, but no contact could be made with Pryor. At 08.30 the Harvard was located in a field near Holsom Relief Landing Ground, some six miles west of Medicine Hat, Alberta. It appearing to have dived into the ground at a steep angle.

John Samuel Willis GRAY (R/70980) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he was killed in Battle 1814 of 1 B&GS, which crashed (collided?) approximately 3 miles west of Fisherville, Ontario during an air to ground tracer firing exercise. It seems that the Battle collided with another aircraft, and his cause of death is described as 'fall from flying aircraft.'

Gordon Fleming RYAN (R/56876)
Edward Arthur LOWRY (R/86335)
Ryan's R.C.A.F. Service File records that they were killed when Tiger Moth 4837 of 3 S.F.T.S. crashed at Midnapore, Alberta at 10.45. Lowry's R.C.A.F. Service File records that he was severely injured and taken to Colonel Belcher Hospital, where he died at 23.00 on December 12th.

Gordon Hutchinson McCLURE (R/102689) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he died in Anson 6548 of 16 S.F.T.S., which crashed 1000 yards south of Hagersville Aerodrome at 23.55. He was the sole occupant of the aircraft.

Arthur Howard COULTER (J/6485) - his R.C.A.F. Service File recorda that he was killed in Harvard 3145 of 13 S.F.T.S. which crashed after strking a hill top one and a half miles west of St. Sauveur des Monts at 14.15. The file records that was another person on board, but does not record their name or fate.

Charles Benjamin PIERCE (R/84163) - his R.C.A.F. Service File recorda that he was killed in P-40D 887 [AK887/1049] of 111 Fighter Squadron, which crashed into the front lawn of 2261 South West Marine Drive, Vancouver at 11.15.

Martin Neil McKAY (R/86317)
Willard John ZENKIE (R/57504)
Their respective R.C.A.F. Service Files record that they were amongst those (four?) killed in Stranaer 928 of 4 (BR) Squadron, which crashed soon after take off at Ucluelet, British Columbia at 08.50.

There are many other Canadians in Jagan's list I've not managed to track down because either:
Their R.C.A.F. Service Files state that they were killed in aircraft accident, with no ID for the aircraft involved.
Their R.C.A.F. Service Files have no cause of death apparent.
They have no R.C.A.F. Service Files available (several are R.A.F. personnel)

Regards

Simon

[wwrsimon]

Hello

Some of the Australian casualties:

Ronald Charles DODGSHUN (710) - the naa.gov.au website records him as being killed in Wirraway A20-4. See: http://www.adf-serials.com.au/2a20a.htm

Harry Mcalister RENTELL (205923) - his digitised Service File on the naa.gov.au website records that he died at 15.45 at the Royal Melbourne Hospital as the result of injuries received in a motor car accident in the vicinity of Ascot Vale, Melbourne.

Murray HORWOOD (407292) - his digitised Service File on the naa.gov.au website records that he died as the result of a surfing accident at Evans Head, New South Wales. He was reported missing believed drowned in dangerous surf conditions, and his body recovered later.

James Ezekiel DUGAN (23570) - the digitised Form A705 on the naa.gov.au website records that he died as the result of injuries received after a bottle of petrol exploded and ignited his clothing, causing severe burns on April 15th. He died early the next day of his injuries at Townsville Base Hospital.

Joseph Bryant McKENNA (401715) - the digitised Form A705 on the naa.gov.au website records that he died after being admitted to Callan Park Mental Hospital on April 10th 1941 after being diagnosed as suffering from a mental disorder. He refused food and had to be artifically fed, but died due to "exhaustion rom schizophrenia' on April 20th.

Leslie Fred GRUBB (32973)
Henry James WALL (24802)
Their respective digitised Forms A705 on the naa.gov.au website record that they were both reported 'missing presumed drowned' while surfing at South Range Beach, Evans Head, N.S.W. The district coroner returned a verdict of 'accidental death' for each.

Henry Beirne DOUGLAS (404562) - his digitised Service File on the naa.gov.au website records that he died in a flying accident at Camp Borden, Canada, while with 1 S.F.T.S.

Henley Anzac Hadwell MANNS (16301) - his digitised Service File on the naa.gov.au website records that he died at St. John of God Hospital,Bunbury, Western Australia. Cause of death is recorded as "believed pneumonia."

Edward John HALL (2208) - the digitised Form A705 on the naa.gov.au website (163/120/236) includes a copy of the Court of Inquiry, which records that he collapsed and died while working on an engine test stand at No. 1 Aircraft Depot, Laverton, at about 15.00. Death was due to a rupture of the ascending aorta due to a congenital defect - natural causes.

Ellis Francis STURGESS (25265) - the digitised Form A705 on the naa.gov.au website (163/163/214) includes the findings of the Court of Inquiry, which records that he drowned at Spring Grove Lagoon, in the Northern Police District of N.S.W. His body was discovered at 09.45 on June 22nd 1941 floating face down in the water. He was fully clothed, and death was thought to have occurred at least 10 days previously.

Maurice Mannix CARROLL (3123) - he digitised Form A705 on the naa.gov.au website records that he was killed while off duty in a motor car accident at Wagga Wagga, N.S.W.

ordon Wellington REES (32995) - his digitised Service File on the naa.gov.au website records that he died at School Hospital, No. 1 Bombing and Gunnery School, Evans Head, due to pneumonia.

Ronald Stephen JONES (1992) - his digitised Service File on the naa.gov.au website records that he died at 7.00 p.m. at 2 R.A.A.F. Hospital due to toxic myocarditis and cardiac failure.

James WALSH (38404) - his digitised Service File on the naa.gov.au website records that he died after an operation at No.1 R.A.A.F. Hospital, Laverton.

Halcombe George BROCK (407779) - the naa.gov.au website (A9845) records him as being killed when Wirraway A20-268 of 1 S.F.T.S. collided with Wirraway A20-269, 2 miles west of You Yans at 09.35 while changing position in formation. Crews as follows:
A20-268:
401137 L.A.C. M. McGuire - pilot - escaped by parachute, shock and hand injury
407779 L.A.C. H. G. Brock - crew - killed
A20-269:
407785 L.A.C. C. Fallon - pilot - escaped by parachute, bruises and abrasions
407795 L.A.C. J. D. Hill - crew - escaped by parachute, bruises and abrasions

George Mckinley FRAZER (32035) - the naa.gov.au website Form A705 (163/52/66) records him as being killed when Wirraway A20-77 of 2 S.F.T.S., Wagga Wagga. Form A9845/103 records that the Wirraway crashed at Mangoplah at approximately 14.30, killing Frazer and the pilot, P/O S. N. PROWD. It records that the pilot apparently went into a spin deliberately at 4,000 feet, but the aircraft did not recover.

Lionel Edward BALDOCK (28379) - his digitised Service File on the naa.gov.au website records that he died while on war service due to drowning on the Torrens River, Adelaide, while endeavouring to rescue a girl.

Bernard Edward FOLEY (207682) - his digitised Service File on the naa.gov.au website records that he died in a motor car accident on the Barmedman to Wyalong road, N.S.W.

Regards

Simon

[wwrsimon]

Hello

A few more of the Australians:

Claude Arthur COLWELL (412574) - his digitised Service File on the naa.gov.au website records that he died at Flinders Naval Hospital at 08.30 due to bronchial pneumonia. He had enlisted under his brother's name, Raymond Leslie Colwell.

Raymond Henry WHITEHEAD (29450) - his digitised Service File on the naa.gov.au website records that he died due to lobar pneumonia at No 2 R.A.A.F. Hospital, Ascot Vale.

Eric Percy STOCKTON (415283) - his digitised Service File on the naa.gov.au website records that he died at the Station Sick Quarters, Pearce. W.A. whilst being anaesthetised for an operation for a tonsillectomy, cause unknown.

William LAWS (405181) - his undigitised Service File on the naa.gov.au mentions Gipsy Moth A7-120, Evans Head, N.S.W.

Aubrey Herbert CREAMER (35987) - his digitised Service File on the naa.gov.au website records that he accidentally drowned in the Murrumbidgee River, Wagga Wagga.

That's all the R.A.A.F. entries whose files have been digitised.

Regards

Simon

[wwrsimon]

Hello again

Just going back through the Australians, and I missed the following:

Charles Richard TYSOE (5922)
John Ignatius NEWMAN (819)
James Manning RAINBOW (43589)
Henry Theodore SKILLMAN (625)
Bailey Middlebrook SAWYER (1704)
They were killed when Anson A4-5 crashed at Gelnbrook, N.S.W. on a medical flight. See:
http://www.adf-serials.com.au/newsletter/news0104.shtml
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1222637

Eric Louis BELTZ (18764) - died from burns sustained at R.A.A.F. Station Geraldton:
http://www.tasmanianwarcasualties.co...Eric_Louis.htm
His undigitised Service File links him to 16493 A.C.1 Fracis John Noel SMITH and 210042 L.A.C. Frank George Myers, who died at Geraldton on the same date. Neither of their Service Files ahve been digitised.

James Gordon William KING-PATRICK (12142) - his digitised Service File on the naa.gov.au website records that he was seriously injured in a car accident and admitted to the Prince of Wales Hospital at Randwick, N.S.W. on June 13th 1941, where he died of head injuries the next day. He was born James Gordon William Sparkes.

Elwyn Roy KING D.S.O., D.F.C. - see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elwyn_Roy_King

Sydney CARR (17853) - his death is recorded in the digitised Service File of 175891 L.A.C. William Charles LEE. They were involved in an accident at Meadow Street Crossing, Guildford, when the Beam Transport Company bus they were travelling in from R.A.A.F. Station Pearce to No. 5 E.D., Perth, was struck by a train. Carr died of his injuries at about 17.40. Lee was admitted to hospital suffering from abrasion injuries and shock. He recovered, and was discharged from the R.A.A.F. in November 1945.

Regards

Simon

[wwrsimon]

Hello

Continuing on with the UK casualties:

William Frederick QUILLIAM (21159) - registered Aylesbury. The Manchester Evening News of February 26th 1941 carried the following announcement:

QUILLIAM - on Feb. 24, at Holton Hospital [sic - presumably R.A.F. Hospital, Halton], Squadron Leader W. F. QUILLIAM, the beloved husband of Edith Mary Quilliam, in his 40th year.

Cornelis Jacobus RADEMAKER
Marinus Renardus VAN KOOIJ and
Jan MICHELS
Hudson T9364 - see Air 81/5250: http://www.rafcommands.com/database/...=&qmem=&qdate=

William Walter SHORT (625576) - the 307 Sqn ORB Form 540 records that he was killed when Defiant N3373 collided with a stationary lorry on the runway whilst taking off. It seems Shaw was in the lorry. The pilot and gunner of the Defiant were uninjured.

Alan James ALLCORN (563048) - the National Probate Calendar records that he died at Orpington War Memorial Hospital, Orpington, Kent.

Bertram NEWTON (335390) - the National Probate Calendar records that he died at Royal Air Force Hospital Wilmslow, Cheshire.

Charles Henry COURTNEY (1213934) - the Birmingham Daily Gazette of March 4th 1941 reported the following:

Death in Bed
R.A.F. Mishap
Charles Henry Courtney, aged 29, a wireless-operator-gunner in the R.A.F. was killed when a machine gun was accidentally fired while it was being cleaned.
It was stated at the inquest yesterday that the gun had been removed from its mounting at an aerodrome after being in action against enemy planes. The bolt was pulled back, and when the safety catch was released the gun fired. Courtney, in bed in a hut at the time, was shot through the thigh.
A verdict of "Accidental death" was recorded.

Alexander Braid NEIL (992424) - registered Newton, Lancs. The Liverpool Daily Post of March 4th 1941 reported the inquest into his death, and it recorded that he died in hospital due to heart failure, intestinal obstruction and a kink in the small intestine, the result of an operation for appendicitis performed some years previously. A verdict of "Natural causes" was returned.

Ronald Alfred EVANS (1197659) - the National Probate Calendar records that he died at Babbacombe, Torquay. The Register of Burials for the cemetery at South Normanton includes a hand-written note stating that he died at the Sefton Hotel.

George Edgar HICKS (98680) - the Staffordshire Advertiser of March 8th 1941 reported that he was knocked down and killed by a bus in the blackout on Sandon Road, Stafford. A verdict of "Accidental death" was recorded by the Coroner.

Derek Raymond HILTON (1038910) - registered Bridgnorth, Shropshire. The Manchester Evening News of March 7th 1941 reported that he died of peritonitis.

Robert Laughlan WATSON (873026) - the Statutory Deaths Register on the Scotland's People website records that he died at 4.30 p.m. at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, due to fractured skull sustained in a motor car accident the previous day.

John BOULTER (799945) - the Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail of March 6th 1941 carried the following announcement:

BOULTER – on March 4, of pneumonia, at the R.V.I., Newcastle, John Morison, aged 51 years, beloved husband of Grace Mabel Boulter.

Alfred John SMITHERINGALE (1028352) - the National Probate Calendar records that he died at the Station Hospital, R.A.F. Weeton, near Fylde, Lancashire.

John GANNON (81719) - the Liverpool Echo of March 6th 1941 reported the following:

AIRCRAFTMAN'S FATE
Aircraft John Gannon, aged 45, of the R.A.F., was found dead yesterday at a house in Roscoe Street, Liverpool, under circumstances which suggest gas poisoning. It is understood that he had written a letter shortly before his death.

Albert STEWART (979953) - the National Probate Calendar records that he died at Forse House Auxiliary Hospital, Latheron, Midlothian.

Francis John BUCKLAND (79013) - the National Probate Calendar records that he died at Batheaston, Bath. His death was reported in the Bath Chronicle of March 15th 1941. He and Flight Lieut. Francis James Davies, D.F.C., were killed when the car driven by Buckland collided with a lorry. Injured in the crash were a Flight Lieut. Whittaker and a Mrs. Read.
See also Davies here: http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/sho...woman-7-3-1941

Douglas Howard LOCKER (1352042) - the National Probate Calendar records that he died at Kingstown, Cumberland. The Newcastle Journal of May 25th 1942 reported the following:

£300 Damages For Airman's Father
In respect of the death of an 18-year-old airman son, Douglas Howard Locker, his father, Isiah Clark Locker, West Cottage, Canewdon, Essex, was awarded £300 damages and costs at Carlisle Assizes on Saturday. The youth was walking along the Carlisle-Glasgow road in the black out, it was stated, when a motor milk van belonging to Stanley Robert Byers, the defendent, of Scotland Road, Carlisle, came up from behind, swpet the youth off the road, and killed him. There was a grass verge on the left side of the road.
It was alleged Byer's van, which was driven at the time by a youth in his employment, travelled 193 feet after colliding with Locker.

Regards

Simon

[wwrsimon]

Continuing with the UK casualties...

Clifford Leonard BURGESS (749154) - the Western Times of March 14th 1941 reported the inquest into his death. He died at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital due to injuries sustaimned when he was crushed by a service lorry which was towing tow trailers at Pocombe Hill, near Exeter. The lorry had stopped on the hill to engage the auxiliary gear, but it slipped back on the camber, crushing Burgess, whose job it was to apply the brakes on the trailer. A verdict of "Death by misadventure was returned by the Coroner.

Eric Wyatt TIPTAFT (507750) - the Statutory Deaths Register on the Scotland's People website records that he died at 4.00 p.m. at R.A.F. Campn Sullom Voe due to a revolver wound to the head.

Sgt (WOp) William F.H. BUTHEE
Sgt (WOp) John W. DEWAR
P/O (Pilot) Harold S. HOPKINS
Sgt (Obs) Reginald G.W. JENKINS

All four were in Blenheim L9296 - see: http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/sho...&p=13040#13040

Robert BRYSON (745373) - Hurricane P2886. See AIR81/5436: http://www.rafcommands.com/database/...=&qmem=&qdate=
The 111 Sqn ORB Form 540 has: Sgt. Pilot Bryson force landed from patrol near Peterhead and was killed.

Jack HUFFINLEY (632878) - the 218 Sqn ORB Form 540 records that he was Wireless Operator in the crew of Sgt. Donald on an Op to Hamburg, and that he was wounded in the leg when the aircraft encountered heavy flak, from which he died. The Form 541 has them in Wellington 1c R1183.

Pawez Maroin RADKE (P/792636)
Zygmunt SOKOLOWSKI (P/782602)
Antoni PTASZKOWSKI (P/782728) - the 309 Sqn ORB records that an air raid on Clydebank struck St. James School, Renfrew, where 56 Polish airmen were billeted. It states that three of these airmen were killed. Ths Statutory Deaths Register on the Scotland's People website records that Sokolowski and Radke died at 11.30 p.m. at St James School, Inchinnan Road, Renfrew, due to the effects of a bomb blast. The next name on the Register is Ptaszkowski, who died at 0.15 a.m. at the School, cause of death the same.

Regards

Simon