59 Sqn Blenheim IV R3637 operating out of Thorney Island reportedly crashed near Tenbury circa 03:00 on 10 July 40. Allegedly it had been tasked to recce Cherbourg which makes it a bit off course to say the least, although the weather was recorded as 10/10 cloud. All 3 crew were killed but seemingly have no known graves, their deaths being recorded on the Runnymede Memorial. For a crash over land this seems very strange. Even stranger, the 59 Sqn roll of honour records them as receiving the BoB clasp posthumously (it was Day 1 of the Battle) but the awards were revoked in 1960! Even stranger. I am in contact with the Observer’s NOK (Sgt T Rowles) and they’re trying to clear up the details. Any help greatly appreciated.
By: ian_ - 2nd October 2017 at 22:34
Thanks Ross, Philippa had the correct pilot but the wrong crew in R3881. Peterstone is on the edge of the river Severn. Had the remains of the aircraft fallen on water, the crew would most likely have been missing.
By: Ross_McNeill - 2nd October 2017 at 22:15
Both were tasked for Hach Patrol with take off on 9th at 22:20 for R3637 and 00:05 on 10th for R3881.
R3637 blew up at 03:00 on the 10th.
Ross
By: ian_ - 2nd October 2017 at 22:09
Interesting mix up Ross. I’ve not heard of a Blenheim coming down near Cardiff. Do you have a date for it? Air Britain has the same info as the first post. R3881’s crash site has been lost to quarrying at the summit of Titterstone Clee Hill. A few pieces were collected by the farmer at the time and remained in his barn until the farm was cleared for renovation. My aunt called by at the moment they were being disposed of, along with parts of a nearby B-17 loss.
By: Ross_McNeill - 2nd October 2017 at 22:08
the f1180 for Rex and crew
By: Sabrejet - 2nd October 2017 at 22:00
Alan Clark is correct in pointing to the AIR file: title is “Pilot Officer A D Hopkin, Sergeant T J Rowles and Sergeant J W Falconer missing presumed dead; Blenheim R3637 failed to return from air operations, 10 July 1940”.
Strange. ORB mix-up?
EDIT: & as above.
By: Ross_McNeill - 2nd October 2017 at 21:59
ORB is wrong and quoted time and time again by those who do not delve deeper.
I investigated for my book and had the details confirmed by RAFAHB before the release of the casualty files.
casualty files give correct info as does both F1180 at Hendon
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_q=AIR%2081%2F1065&_ser=AIR%2081&id=C16484
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_aq=R3881&_cr=air%2081&_dss=range&_ro=any&_st=adv
Ross
By: Sabrejet - 2nd October 2017 at 21:57
Bowyer’s Blenheim book also has R3637 at Ludlow (Tenbury).
By: Sabrejet - 2nd October 2017 at 21:50
From ORB:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]256067[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]256068[/ATTACH]
Deaths don’t seem to be registered for any of the crew. Note that the ORB has Hopkin & crew crashing near Tenbury.
By: Nachtjagd - 2nd October 2017 at 21:38
Many thanks Ross – the NOK did also mention Cardiff so it all begins to make sense.
By: Ross_McNeill - 2nd October 2017 at 21:23
Corruption of info.
R3637 Blew up in mid air near Cardiff. R3881 hit the power pole near Clee Hill. Unit had transferred to Coastal Command by the qualifying dates of the clasp.
Rowles was on R3637
But never let the real facts get in the way of internet fiction.
By: Alan Clark - 2nd October 2017 at 21:05
You might need to take a trip to Kew, or get someone who is going to have a look at AIR 81/1065
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October 2, 2017 at 8:44 pm