I wonder if anyone can help me? I am seeking info on an accident involving an Airspeed Oxford (?) on 9th December 1941. It crashed on a farm near Tetbury, Gloucestershire.
The only other details I have is of one of the occupants, Leading Aircraftsman J C Cann, 657000.
Any information, especially the aircraft’s tail number and crew detail would be welcome.
TIA,
Jason
By: bazv - 25th July 2008 at 21:22
A great many u/t aircrew were Leading Aircraftsman (LAC) during WW2 and upon winning their wings would be promoted to Sergeant or Pilot Officer.
In the ground trades an LAC was a highly skilled rank (fitter or rigger etc) roughly equivalent to a Junior Technician in the 1960’s/70’s.
cheers baz
By: David M N - 25th July 2008 at 20:58
Air Crash Avening
Hi JasonR
The occupant of the Airspeed Oxford was my Great Uncle.If you have any information, e.g. exact location of crash, I would be grateful if you could share it with me.
My late Grandfather,also RAF in WW2,showed me the site about 30 years ago.I believe it was near a farm.I am doing some family research and am trying to clear up some discrepancies.John Cann’s sister,my Great Aunt, is still alive.
Regards,David M N
By: Atcham Tower - 7th July 2008 at 20:38
I believe that after a certain point in the war, all aircrew were made up to at least sergeant rank. This was to ensure that they got better treatment in PoW camps, eg weren’t expected to work as allowed by the Geneva Convention for the lower ranks.
By: merkle - 7th July 2008 at 20:26
Is the book “Wings over Gloucestershire still available………???
My Dad flew from Babdown Farm in 43/44
Planemike
Hi Mike,
I believe that it is out of print, Howevor, that should not stop you finding a copy , 😀
I think I got mine after a search on the Amazon Book site, they are not a rare book, but you might have to do a little hunting to find one 🙂
By: Arabella-Cox - 7th July 2008 at 16:22
Is the book “Wings over Gloucestershire still available………???
My Dad flew from Babdown Farm in 43/44
Planemike
By: kev35 - 7th July 2008 at 16:13
It’s so sad that so many Airmen apparently died as LAC’s under training. Was I right, can anyone confirm, about the minimum rank for a pilot being Sergeant? Was it just that the Airman received his promotion to Sergeant upon being awarded his wings?
Just another one of the injustices of war I suppose. An LAC killed at an FTS is no less dead than a Sergeant killed at an OTU and there were a hell of a lot of those.
Sad.
Regards,
kev35
By: pagen01 - 7th July 2008 at 16:12
I could be wrong as I haven’t researched the subject like you, but I’m guessing LAC means something else in this case?
I just can’t see LACs being let loose on Hurricanes at such an important time.
By: merkle - 7th July 2008 at 15:56
It must be true LAC did fly Solo !!
I have just flicked through “Wings over Gloucestershire” and to be honest there are quite a few LAC casualties , What done it for me to proove that LAC DID have flights SOLO, was out of the Many one of the Incidents was a
Single Seat Hurricane !!
details below.
infact there are 3 incidents in one month in May 1941.
first was Hurricane P2968, of No 9 FTS ,Undercarraige collapsed on heavy landing at Babdown Farm, 1257535 LAC C.R.Tapp, 7/5/41.
Second was Hurricane V7444 No 9 FTS crashed four Miles SW of Stroud at 12.25 Hours Cockpit full of smoke Pilot unable to see,1255522 LAC L.Eate on 16th May 1941
Thirdly, Hurricane P3807 No 9FTS Crashed on approach to Babdown Farm after engine cut at Low Alt ,1285910 LAC L.W.Daniel, 27th May 1941.
Infact it seems most accidents from 9FTS in 1941 involved LAC rank,
Well Ive never really noticed it before, But i think it is pretty conclusive that LAC’s DID fly on there own, all be it with the flying training Sqaudrons
By: merkle - 7th July 2008 at 15:40
The Information i got from 2 sources,
1 was a very good little book called, “Wings over Gloucestershire” by John Renison,
and then I done a search on the Commonwealth Wargraves Commision website.
I Agree, it is odd that a LAC was the only casualty, Howevor the crash date and details tally up, But i wonder if he really was Alone as the book said “Solo”
or does this mean “Solo” aircraft,
I agree more investigation Needed, the crash cards at Hendon should be able to tell you a bit More, if not that then the Sqn ORB at Kew I believe may tell a bit more,
The only other incident i know of was a Fairey Battle in wales that was Taken without Permission by a LAC for a Jolly , and sadly he crashed ,
By: kev35 - 7th July 2008 at 13:38
I always thought aircrew under training had to be a minimum rank of Sergeant after mid to late 1940? Obviously I must have been mistaken. The aircraft movement card and any information you can get out of Hendon on the casualty might clear things up.
Regards,
kev35
By: Aerial - 7th July 2008 at 12:45
Were LACs permitted to go solo during WWII? Or, could he have been an LAC (tradesman) under training to GD/P
By: merkle - 6th July 2008 at 17:05
J C Cann
LAC Cann details, it seems to me he was the SOLE occupant of the aircraft , and as such is the only casualty,
Might be worth sending off for the crash card from Hendon though to be sure,
CANN, JOHN CHARLES Leading Aircraftman 657000
Date of Death 09/12/1941
Age 20
of the Royal Air Force United Kingdom
Buried at,
Row C. Grave 1. CHIEVELEY (ST. MARY) CHURCHYARD
By: merkle - 6th July 2008 at 16:52
Hi Jason,
the aircraft was Airspeed Oxford , serial No T1249, of No 15 FTS ,
(Flying Training Sqn) which Dived into the ground at full power whilst on a Solo Cross country flight.
the Aircraft came down one and a half Miles South of Aston Down Nr a town called Avening.
65700 LAC J.C.Cann (Killed)
Hope this helps ,
Best regards
Chris C:D
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July 6, 2008 at 4:43 pm