I can further add that he was:- ‘…conveyed to hospital by Police Ambulance (No 3) suffering from contusions and other serious injuries that are consistent with an air accident and the near-disintegration of the machine. He was severely concussed and barely lucid upon rescue having suffered facial injuries and loss of teeth from impact with the gunnery sighting apparatus. His life preserver and parachute were later stolen from the cockpit. This matter is being investigated by Sgt. Morris.’

Frustratingly, though, the surviving West Sussex ARP Incident Book, of which I have a copy, only starts on 8 April 1941. Additionally, the East and West Sussex Police forces at this time were separate forces until they amalgamated in 1943. From the very outset, the East Sussex force kept detailed reports of air crashes and these still survive. It was only upon the amalgamation of forces in 1943 that we start to see comprehensive reports for the west of the county. Thus, there are no detailed reports for 1939 – 43 aside from odd sketchy details (as above) or rough parish listings and ARP records in County Archives.