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December 15, 2009 at 9:48 pm

FO Geoffrey Deakin – Magister crash 20th Jan 1944

Chap in our local paper looking for info on his late uncle’s fatal accident in a Miles Magister at Nottingham Hill, Woodmancote near Cheltenham on 20th Jan 1944. Apparently used to fly Mosquitos with 157 Sqn….any leads?

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By: Arabella-Cox - 15th December 2009 at 22:25

When you mentioned a Magister I though it might of been one from No.3 GTS at Stoke Orchard but it seems not.

20th January 1944. Mile Magister R1955 No.60 OTU, spun into ground 5 miles to the east of Stoke Orchard. Pilot was F/Officer Geoffrey Francis Deakin ( 116756).

Corresponds nicely with Woodmancote. Apparently he was a flying instructor and flying home to visit his father who was terminally ill. Crash was at about 51°57’16.4″N, 2°1’41.7″W or SO 98155 28455.

Seems he was given an emergency promotion from Cpl to Pilot Officer 19th Feb 1942 and further promoted to Flying Officer 1st October (unless I’m reading the London Gazette wrong).

Commonwealth War Graves site lists his parents and place of burial.