I am a student researching a soldier who was a member of #59 operational training unit. This research project is for my history class, it is known by parts of Canada as the Lest We Forget project. I have been trying to find more information about him and his squadron. Here is some information about him: WILLIAM ANDREW CAMPBELL SGT (P) from arnprior, ontario. Killed Feb.6/42 age 23. #59 Operational Training Unit. Campbell was killed when his Hurricane aircraft # P 3463 crashed four miles south-west of Langholm, Scotland at Cleuch Foot Farm. Sergeant Pilot Campbell is buried in the dalston Road Cemetary, Carlisle, Cumberland, Scotland. 59 OTU were based at RAF Crosby-on-Eden in Cumberland at the time of Sgt Campbell's death Thanks in advanced!
This is the RAF Form 1180 raised for Flying Accidents - Not attributed to enemy action. It is a summary card for the information gleaned at various stages in the investigation carried out for all such F(A) incidents. (scroll down to see both sides) F1180 copyright RAF Museum Hendon Regards Ross
Each unit was required to keep an Operations Record Book (ORB), usually Form 540 - Summary but if lots of activity then also Form 541 - Daily. The details were set out in by the Air Ministry but in practice it varied from unit to unit and from scribe to scribe. I have attached a link to the month of Feb 1942 for No.59 OTU. http://www.rafcommands.com/February_1942/TNA/No_59_OTU/February_1942.pdf The ORB detail is copyright The National Archives with images copyright R McNeill Regards Ross
Some good information you have provided here, Ross. There is an aviation museum based at the former RAF Crosby-on-Eden (Carlisle Airport) which I have visited on a couple of occasions. There is a 'Roll of Honour' listing all those who died while they were based at the airfield during WW2. I made a note that the number of pilots who died while 59 O.T.U. was based at RAF Crosby-on-Eden. According to the list at the museum, there were 81 pilot deaths between February 1941 and August 1942. Just a small but important point for our Canadian cousin who posted the original question about Sgt. W.A. Campbell: Please note that although Langholm is in Scotland, but Carlisle and Crosby-on-Eden are not. Carlisle, often known as 'The Border City' is the capital city of Cumbria (previously Cumberland) and is in England. Good luck with your project.
Attached photographs: Solway Aviation Museum, Crosby-on-Eden (Carlisle) Airport, Cumbria (previously Cumberland). Hopefully, this may assist you with your research project, JM Larkin. The museum buildings you see in the photographs would have appeared much the same when 59 OTU was based here.
