crash Caister Norfolk 12-10-41

got my copy of the Accident report

fairly condemning of the Pilot, cleared for a consumption test at 10,000 ft, he flew low over his girlfriends house and hit a tree

Sadly all too common.

got my copy of the Accident report

fairly condemning of the Pilot, cleared for a consumption test at 10,000 ft, he flew low over his girlfriends house and hit a tree

Plaque now in place.
http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/plaque_marks_tragedy_so_close_to_home_1_4268184

thanks
gradually it’s all coming together

at some stage I will get up there to have a look

From the Lincolnshire Aircraft Recovery Group archives.

Sunday 12 Oct 1943. Blenheim Z9737, 21 Sqn. Took off for a training flight and was later seen circling the church at the tiny hamlet of Kirkby north of Market Rasen, where the pilot had friends. The villagers were waving to the crew as the aircraft circled low, unfortunately the wing tip struck the trees on the eastern side of the church and the pilot lost control. The aircraft went down to crash alongside the Kingerby beck almost level with Kingerby church coming to rest on its back.
The pilot is buried at his home town of Market Rasen.

interesting Ross,
the family has it that he was showing off to his girlfriend

might be some truth in that

Fuel consumption test.

Court of Inquiry noted that his parents house was approx 4 miles from the crash site and that his girlfriend lived 200 yards away.

Ross

thank you Brian,
have applied for the F1180
as I’m close to the NA I’ll do a visit

Nibb100,

1. Your can obtain a copy of Form 1180 from the RAF Museum at Hendon. The F1180 is a very brief summary of an accident, but it may answer the question as to why Blenheim Z9737 was flying so low. To obtain the F1180 go to http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/research-enquiries/contact-collections-division.aspx and complete the form. Simply ask for the F1180 for Blenheim Z9737 which crashed on 12 October 1941. Takes about three weeks to get a reply.

2. Should you be interested you can obtain an abbreviated form of of your half-brother’s service record by completing the form at https://www.gov.uk/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records#how-to-apply-for-service-personnel-records. Takes between 20 and 25 weeks for the document to arrive, and there’s a fee of £30 (unless it’s changed). You might need help in deciphering some of the shorthand, but we can provide that.

3. You can also download a copy of 21 Squadron’s Operations Record Book (essentially a diary) from the National Archives: go to http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/browse/r/h/C2502898?cUp=false&cK=D8409385&sK=C2502898, and scroll down the files on the right. The two for October 1941 are AIR 27/263/50 and AIR 27/263/51. There is a fee of £3.50 for each file. The quality of ORBs varies from squadron to squadron, some provide quite a bit of information, others not so much, but it is worth the effort.

Brian

Edit. Although he’s listed as ‘observer’ in #9, he would have been the navigator (all highly confusing I appreciate).

Wellington Z8397 PH

A marble plaque inscribed with the names of the dead and featuring their squadron crest is to be unveiled at the California Tavern on October 10 at 3pm.

Sgt A E Cosgrove, Sgt L S Dunlop, F/Sgt A A Nordon, Sgt A Pilkington, Sgt R H Todman, Sgt F H N Tothill.

http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/plaque_to_honour_bomber_crew_who_died_on_california_sands_1_4230740

I presume they were training, wouldn’t you think?

It’s interesting to me because I only recently discovered I had a half brother and I know very little about him,

do you know why they were flying so low?

crash Caister Norfolk 12-10-41

My uncle was the pilot of this aircraft, which crashed near Caistor, Lincs, the plane came down at Kingerby, he clipped the top of a tree and around twenty years ago I spoke to a witness who told me that although clipping the top of these trees he almost got it back under control but ran out of height.

thanks,
I think it’s the death certificate that mentions Caister,

Chorleys Bomber Command Losses has Blenheim Z9737 down near Kingesby, however there is no place by that name in Norfolk. But there is a Kingerby in Lincs, a few miles SW of Caistor. A little further research into where the deaths were registered should clear up the location.

Jeff

thanks, I think that answers everything,

Hi nibb100,

12-10-1941

21 Squadron Blenheim Z9737 YH- collided with a tree whilst on a training flight killing all three occupants:

Sgt F Cocking 1062466 (19) RAFVR – pilot
Sgt M J Counter 1162807 (21) RAFVR- observer
Sgt E J Gill 954678 (23) RAFVR- w.op/air gunner

Hope this is of some use. 🙂

Simon

Caister Crash

Wellington Z8397 (12 Squadron) crashed at Caister-on-Sea 10/11 October 1941.

but……. the Lost Bombers web site from where this information comes, doesn’t show a M Counter as one of the crew members.

I live very near to Caister. Have you any idea what sort of aircraft it was? Bomber? Fighter? Also can you confirm you are referring to Caister-on-Sea near Great Yarmouth and not Caistor St Edmunds near Norwich?

thanks for your support guys