I am trying to find more information on what happened to Wellington IC T2968, of 105 Officer Training Unit, the main main resident unit at Bramcote, (I think part of 44 Group Transport Command) which crashed into a hill shortly after take off on the night of the 29th April, 1944. The pilot was Gerald Stark Toller. I believe they were practicing night flying. I'm researching an individual and have enough information on the crew, I would mainly like to find out what caused the crash. Would there be a war diary for this unit. Where might I find a war diary for 105 O.T.U,? Regards Mike
Wellington IC T2968 [Royal Air Force Aircraft Serial and Image Database] 440429 - Unaccounted Airmen - 29-4-1944
It's held in the AIR29 series of files at Kew. 105 (Transport) Operational Training Unit (OTU). Formed at Bramcote (UK) in April 1943.... | The National Archives That it contains appendices is a good sign as several OTU ORBs I have place accident reports there. Regards, Dave
Thanks again. Yes I saw that and very useful. Seems there two fatal casualties in this accident with Sergeant Stanley Reed injured Sergeant Ronald Stables Ogg (1557938) Radio Opera Wellington IC T2968 and Flying Officer Gerald Stark Toller (74747) Pilot Wellington IC T2968 Wellington IC T2968 [Royal Air Force Aircraft Serial and Image Database] Was it normal to have just 3 men on a Wellington flight at night? Mike
105 OTU was a Transport Training unit, in preparation for resumption of civilian flights, so presumably no gunners aboard, leaving just 3 crew for the flight. Geralds father was a Foreign Office official and the National Archives have a file regarding. W. Stark Toller, H.M. acting consul, Chungking: compensation for damage to personal effects in connection with his transfer (1919) and he spent his childhood in China. He is also commemorated on his mothers headstone in Streatham Cemetery.
Many thanks Kevin. That's useful. It is actually Ronnie Ogg I am researching, he came from my home town and I am in contact with a relative. I hope to have the diary of 105 O.T.U. by Saturday and hope it contains further info on the accident. Mike
from my photo collection Leading Aircraftman PARKER, FREDERICK GEORGE Service Number 1871779 Died 29/04/1944 Aged 44 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Son of George and Jenny Hannah Parker; husband of M. L. Parker, of Reading, Berkshire. Buried at READING (HENLEY ROAD) CEMETERY Location: Oxfordshire, United Kingdom Number of casualties: 120 Cemetery/memorial reference: Block 10. Grave 16023.