D P H Boniface lost 18/01/1944. Fairey Fulmar accident in Scotland.

Another thought just occured to me.

Was he flying alone that night or was someone else flying with him?

Thanks I had no idea of naval damage codes.

What would Cat Z2 have meant in terms of damage to the airframe?

Z2 is “Beyond economical repair – to be struck off charge and disposed of as scrap”

i.e not even suitable for spares/component recovery (which would be Z1)

Niall

What would Cat Z2 have meant in terms of damage to the airframe?

Thanks for the replies.

I have neither of these books so havent seen any of the information you have posted.

Thanks once again the information is fantastic.

I think one day soon I might go take a look at the crash site to get his perspective on how he thought he was at Drem and in actual fact was at East Fortune. I suppose an easy mistake to make at night. Although the 2 airfield are very different in construction.

You might try the ‘Flying Navy’ board of Wings Over NZ.
http://rnzaf.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=faa

Have you seen his entry in ‘For Your Tomorrow (I assume there is one there) by Errol Martyn?

Sturtivant and Burrow’s ‘Fleet Air Arm Aircraft 39-45’ offfers: Fulmar N1910 – Apparently mistook East Fortune for Drem on first night landing from Drem. Flew into trees 200 yards off Good Row, Whitekirk, 5m E of Drem a/f, 1.5m from East Fortune. Cat Z2. 18 Jan 44. Sub. Lt. DPH Boniface, RNZN killed.

N1910 is shown as having been converted to NFII spec and being on the strength of 784NAS at the time.

Niall

Founds this on the RAF Drem website:

http://www.rafdrem.co.uk/memorial.html

Boniface,
D P H Sub-Lieutenant (Air) Royal New Zealand Naval Vol Reserve 18.01.44 23 Crashed in Fulmar 083018 (784 NAS) near Whitekirk

interred at nearby Dirleton village cemetery, just north of the airfield boundary.

The serial number does not look right.