I am trying to find out some details regarding a Typhoon which crashed close to the Summersdale area of Chichester (the North East side) in 1943/44. I have a potential crash, the location of which has been quoted as either ‘Lavant’ or 3nm NW. of Tangmere. This one was R7856 from 1 Sqdn. There are two other possibilities which are listed as having ‘Hit trees on take off from Westhampnett’. These are JP429 on 18/2/44 and JP798 on 24/3/44. I understand the pilot of the accident I am looking for was killed. Does anyone have any further information or able to assist me at ? Thanks in anticipation.
Martin
By: Nachtjagd - 23rd July 2014 at 20:22
Walberton – you have a PM
By: Arabella-Cox - 23rd July 2014 at 20:02
No problem Martin, happy to help.
There may be more info in the individual Squadrons’ ORB’s (Operational Record Books), which are available for download on a monthly basis on the National Archives’ website. From memory I think they’re £3.60 or so per month.
Regards
Simon
By: Walberton - 23rd July 2014 at 19:39
Martin,
There’s some small snippets for all three crashes in the Losses appendix in the book ‘The Typhoon and Tempest Story’ by Thomas and Shores:
R7856 of 1 Sqn – spun in 3 m NW of Tangmere, August 23rd 1943. Pilot was P/O H Gray, killed in the crash.
JP429 of 175 Sqn, coded HH-A. Pilot was W/O H Taylor, killed in the crash. Aircraft crashed on take off from Westhampnett.
JP798 of 245 Sqn, coded MR-S. Pilot was P/O D F Martin, unhurt. Aircraft crashed on take off 1 m S of Westhampnett.
Regards
Simon
EDIT:
CWGC details for Gray:
http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2452914/GRAY,%20HUGH
and for Taylor:
http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2408727/TAYLOR,%20HARRY
Great, this is most useful, Many thanks Simon
Martin
By: Arabella-Cox - 23rd July 2014 at 18:46
Martin,
There’s some small snippets for all three crashes in the Losses appendix in the book ‘The Typhoon and Tempest Story’ by Thomas and Shores:
R7856 of 1 Sqn – spun in 3 m NW of Tangmere, August 23rd 1943. Pilot was P/O H Gray, killed in the crash.
JP429 of 175 Sqn, coded HH-A. Pilot was W/O H Taylor, killed in the crash. Aircraft crashed on take off from Westhampnett.
JP798 of 245 Sqn, coded MR-S. Pilot was P/O D F Martin, unhurt. Aircraft crashed on take off 1 m S of Westhampnett.
Regards
Simon
EDIT:
CWGC details for Gray:
http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2452914/GRAY,%20HUGH
and for Taylor:
http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2408727/TAYLOR,%20HARRY
Sign In
July 23, 2014 at 5:48 pm