Can anyone help me with any information at all on an air crash which occurred in Ireland on the 28th June 1945? I have no idea on the location or the aircraft type involved. I do know that Flt/Lt Gordon Frederick Ayton was killed in the incident. There is a possibility that the aircraft was about to, or just had, crossed the Atlantic.
I know it’s not much to go on but any help at all would be appreciated.
Regards,
kev35
By: neilly - 9th November 2003 at 17:02
Hi Kev,
Been doing some research on KA 317 & found it listed as crashed, prior to delivery. I can’t find any other details, than this. However, I’ve e-mailed another Mossie Anorak, who might just be able to help. So we’ll see what he can tell us.
Cheers for now,
Neilly
ps. Forgot to add the sources – Mosquito by Sharp & Bowyer & British Aircraft Serials 1912-63 by D Robertson
NH
By: kev35 - 7th November 2003 at 14:58
Hi, John.
“I would still imagine that this incident was hushed up though,”
Do you think it was hushed up solely because it occurred in Eire, or for some other reason?
It is interesting that you mention Canada and the RCAF. F/L Ayton was most definitely RAF and came from Norfolk. However, there is some possibility that the family moved to Canada. Whether this is either true or significant, I’m not yet sure.
I’m just going to have to keep digging. Thanks for the help so far.
Regards,
kev35
By: Arabella-Cox - 6th November 2003 at 20:25
Snapper
You are of course absolutely correct:
The conditions became active at May 9th 1945 for total surrender, the war in Japan was still ongoing, my apologies!
I would still imagine that this incident was hushed up though, another thought is to go to your nearest major town/city library and ask if they have The Daily Telegraph on microfiche for that date, if its in there you should be able to proceed with the aforementioned, if not the shutters will probably be well and truly brought down…………..
By: Snapper - 6th November 2003 at 20:12
War in Europe was over though – would that still be a problem?
By: Arabella-Cox - 6th November 2003 at 19:55
Kev
It would appear that you have all the information date (questionable perhaps), type, index, and names of crew. You can either, assuming that the aircraft was RAF and the crew were RAF and not RCAF, contact the RAF Museum at Hendon with all the information you have put on here or The Air Historical Branch at RAF Bentley Priory.
I might just add that the aircraft appeared to have crashed in Eire whilst the war with Germany was still ongoing, Eire was a neutral country and all would not have been kosher for a RAF aircraft to be seen to be transitting through Eire at this time. If it had made an emergency landing ie lack of fuel, tech probs lost in fog whatever the matter would still have been hushed up!
Under the 30 year rule these records should be in the public domain, ie released January 1st 1976, there are exceptions some records can be withheld for up to 75 years depending upon the sensitivity of the event.
If you find that the crew were RCAF seconded to the RAF or whatever come back to me as I know an archivist in the National Archives of Canada.
John
By: kev35 - 6th November 2003 at 14:34
I’ve now established that the aircraft crashed at Gort, Co. Galway. The pilot, F/L Ayton died in the crash and the second crewman F/O H R Anderson was rescued but died at the scene. Strangely, F/L Ayton is on the CWGC refister but F/O Anderson is not. Simple mistake? Or something else….
To muddy the waters further the aircraft is said to be a Mosquito FB26 KA317. Air Britain records say that aircraft never left Canada. The crash occurred at 23.20 while the aircraft was on a delivery flight. Would an aircraft be being delivered at that time of night?
Anybody have any idea at all where to go next with this? Any information will, as ever, be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
kev35
Sign In
October 28, 2003 at 11:35 am