Wellington Bomber Crash 1940 ~ 15 O.T.U. RAF Harwell

Hello.

I have posted on WW2Talk once before but not under this Head. From what I have read here it may well be that someone can help me.

I have been asked by a cousin to dig into a wartime incident involving his father who flew most aircraft types with the RAF and later the Air Transport Auxiliary from 1935 till after the War.

Basically, his Dad resigned his Commission (Flight L. ~ Squad/ Ldr.) on ill-health grounds in1940 following an air accident involving a Wellington when he was an instructor (passenger) at 15 O.T.U at RAF Harwell. He would never discuss the incident but it was known about vaguely in the family and they would like to learn a little more.

His sister made some initial enquiries and obtained his RAF Records plus they have his Flying Log. but the Medical Report is closed till 2015. I've tracked down what I think may well have been the incident using "Chorleys's Bomber Losses No 7" .

However, although I am not entirely new to historical research, wartime flying incidents are, and I would very much appreciate any pointers you can give to enable me to gain some firm evidence.

I can add more details as required.

Good wishes,

Olden Bill.

 

If you've got the make and serial number of the aircraft involved in the incident, then you should contact the Dept of Research and Information at the RAF Museum, Hendon, and ask them if you can have a copy of the "AM Form 1180" (accident record card) for the aircraft concerned.
Alan.

 

Thank you, Alan.

I assume the make is Vickers and could the the serial number be the one quoted above the accident report paragraph (L 4359) ?

Do you know if you can contact the Hendon Museum by email or does it mean a visit to North London?

Olden.

 

You can contact them by going to this link........
www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/research-enquiries/contact-collections-division.aspx
and use the form there. Ask them if it would be possible to send you a copy of AM Form 1180, for Wellington L4359 , and date of accident.
Alan

 

http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/research-enquiries.aspx

 

The RAF Air Historical Branch may have a copy of the 'Report on Flying Accident or Forced Landing not Attributable to Enemy Action' on 2-sided foolscap form '765 (C)' though, as of 1 Apr 2013, they've jumped on the MoD's £30 record search fee bandwagon. Alternatively, if an Australian or Canadian crew-member died as a direct result and their casualty file has been digitised, you may be lucky enough to find a free online copy of it in there.

Other places to look (esp. if no luck there) are in the ORBs of both 15 OTU and RAF Harwell (both at TNA) and it's also worth mentioning, as Alan has already referred you to Hendon's DoRIS, that they also have RAF Aircraft Delivery/Movement Cards on film to help you build up a better picture of the 'kite'.

Rgds,
Steve

 

Before contacting Hendon are you sure of the aircraft serial?

Chorley records accidents which resulted in write off (Cat W or later Cat E).

L4359 was assigned to No.214 Sqn/No.11 OTU/No.18 OTU and finally AAEE before being reduced to a maintenance airframe in June 1942.

So unless it was hit by another aircraft from No.15 OTU which was written off it is unlikely to be recorded in Chorley in 1940 and there is no indication it was ever assigned to No.15 OTU.

L4359 was damaged in mid 1940 with No.11 OTU when it was taxied into a hangar at Marham but was repaired and returned to service.

Edit - L4259 is a better bet for the F1180 you feel is the one you identified in Chorley but it seems that only two crew were onboard a P/O and Sgt.
http://www.spink.com/lot-description.aspx?id=903327

Regards
Ross

 

Thanks Ross, Steve and Alan.

As I explained, I'm rather out of my depth here and very much appreciate your kind guidance.

It might help if I give fuller information:


The links below are to a copy of a page from Chorley's Bomber Losses No 7. We think it is highly likely (but need confirmation) that the incident is that marked with a red tag on 22 July 1940 involving a Wellington flown by Flt. L.Cookson (not the subject Pilot) at RAF Harwell. Also to a pdf file giving more information about Cookson and his sad demise.


https://db.tt/rbmzosAK

https://db.tt/jPoTSEEX

https://db.tt/v1otcPbQ


My cousin's father (now deceased) was Flight Lieutenant Kenneth Carlyle Gill. The anecdotal story is that the doomed aircraft had two pilot/instructors with two teams of, we believe, gunnery trainees. Gill and his team were resting at the rear of the aeroplane when it stalled and hit the ground; the rear of the fuselage broke off throwing them clear but some of the other crew died. There was no mention of fire but perhaps this was too horrific to relate.

We have Ken Gill's Flying Log and he records a number of flights with Cookson immediately before 22 July. An entry on 10 August also shows a single bombing raid on Hamburg where he appears to be second pilot now serving for a very short period with 38 Squadron. His Record of Service gives fuller information but the above is pretty well all we have on the accident itself.