Bomber Command's First Write Off - Hind K5428 17 July 1936 Location?

[paulmcmillan]

Bomber Command was formed 14th July 1936

3 days later Sgt Harold Constantine SMITH DFM #364783 of 40 Sqn wrote of Hind K5428 while on exercise with Royal Observer Corps, when he ran out of fuel, force landed and overturned

However I do not know where this occurred and as far as I can see, the incident nor Smith are mentioned in the 40 Sqn ORB of the period

They were based at RAF Abingdon at the time and only re-equipped with Hinds (from Harts) in March 1936

So I wonder if anyone can pinpoint a location for this incident it would be great

Born 12 March 1908
Died 31 Oct 1983


Many Thanks

Paul

[wwrsimon]

Could be something, but could be a red herring?

A couple of forced landing reported in the newspapers, one in The Wash (but the pilot is named as P/O Lowe), and the other in Stebbing, Essex.

From the Taunton Courier, 18 July 1936:

R.A.F Bomber Crashes in Road
Children run to safety
Two children ran screaming into their home at Stebbing, Essex, on Saturday when they saw an R.A.F. bomber dropping swiftly towards them. It crashed on the road a few yards from where they had been playing.
The children were Elsie and Pat Franklyn, of Valentine Cottage, Broadway. The pilot and crew of the 'plane escaped injury. It was one of a flight of bombers on its way to Folkestone for manouevres.
When the pilot had to attempt a forced landing, a wing caught a tree, causing the 'plane to crash on to the road and then skid sideways into a hedge.

The Singapore Morning Tribune names the pilot as F/O John H. Smith:

https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspa...9360811-1.2.56

The Boston Guardian of July 17th also reported the crash, and reports that P/O Smith was "one of the R.A.F. Reserve and was undergoing a course of practical training."

Regards

Simon

[paulmcmillan]

Simon

Thanks John H Smith = Stebbing Essex is I think -- This was Sat 11th July 1936 Hart K3034 No.503 Sqn

Special Reserve Officers
F/O John Higson Smith


Lowe will be P/O Geoffrey Lowe -> Hawker Hind Bircham Newton 49 Sqn -> HUNSTANTON Incident Friday 17th July 1936 Serial ?


Paul

[bvs]

Lowe will be P/O Geoffrey Lowe -> Hawker Hind Bircham Newton 49 Sqn -> HUNSTANTON Incident Friday 17th July 1936 Serial ?

Paul

Hi Paul
Is this Geoffrey Drain Lowe ?
If so he was the father of Nick Drain Lowe - AKA 'the jesus of cool' and known for 'I love the sound of breaking glass' (among others).
I just happened to see a short documentary this afternoon and Nick mentioned his Dad's RAF service - he said he was a great guy and was very proud of him.

regards baz

[paulmcmillan]

Probably but he only Geoffrey LOWE, D.F.C., A.F.C. ( 37324) on LG