Thank you David

In the time lapse between posting my last post and now I spoke to two of the witnesses. One gentleman said the “companion aircraft” circled around afterwards, the other said that no aircraft hung around after the crash. Perhaps it was fortunate that I spoke to them independently, otherwise a roight owd Suff’kers ding-dong would have ensued!;)

Me maarm supports the latter gentleman’s account.

Hello all

As promised, here is the ORB extract from 247 in June 1949, however there is no actual date for the crash:

“JUNE.
OPERATIONS.
All operations, this month, have been overshadowed by the tragic loss of the Commanding Officer, Sqn Ldr A R T Beddow, DFC, who, whilst chasing Hornets at low level in the Ipswich area, struck a house and was killed instantly. This was an Officer who the Royal Air Force could not afford to lose, and his loss will be felt by all who knew him.”

His funeral was held at Odiham Church on the 5th July 1949.

The UK based Hornet squadrons were 19, 41, 64, and 65, so a check on their ORB’s may produce an exact date?

Hope this is of interest,

Litote! It most certainly is. Thank you.

Although not in my original question, it would be interesting to know if there is a RAF Wattisham connection. Through the grapevine I have heard that there is a book about to be published about the station and if there is then I am sure the author might include a mention if it is not too late.

I am afraid I do not possess Fighter Squadrons of the Royal Air Force. Please might somebody have a look for 247 squadron and a Hornet squadron being on detachment there at the time of the disaster?

Thank you both for researching this dilemma.

Nothing crashed on Foxhall Road. Me mum was near there then!

So Sqn Ldr Beddow’s Vampire was VF347 and it’s still a toss-of-a-coin between Hornet and Meteor being the second aircraft that did not crash.