1370558 Sergeant Andrew Sangster Donaldson
 

Hi all,

Does anybody know any details of Sgt Donaldson (1370558)?

He was given the BEM in Jan 1943 for rescuing two airmen from a plane that crashed close to a Bomb dump in October 1942 that he was guarding.

The aircraft had 2 occupants

trying to identify the aircraft and location. Thats about all the details I have

Re: 1370558 Sergeant Andrew Sangster Donaldson
 

Hello,

1370558 Sgt Andrew Sangster DONALDSON RAF - BEM(M) LG: 29/01/1943, (Brave Conduct). https://thegazette.co.uk/London/issu...t/539/data.pdf

Col.

Re: 1370558 Sergeant Andrew Sangster Donaldson
 

Thanks Col.

Will maybe need to see if I can get his Service record to see where he was serving in Oct 42.

Re: 1370558 Sergeant Andrew Sangster Donaldson
 

If British you will be unlikely to get his Record of Service unless you are next of kin

Re: 1370558 Sergeant Andrew Sangster Donaldson
 

As per the citation - ‘On 1st October 1942, the above named NCO was in charge of the Bomb Dump Guard at Cranwell, when Oxford Aircraft No. X6935 crashed in the vicinity. On hearing the crash, which had occurred about 30 yards away, he called together the Guard, collected a fire extinguisher and hurried to the aircraft. He tried to open the doors but found them both jammed. He then moved to the front of the machine and saw one of the occupants hanging from his harness. He climbed through the wreckage and, together with one other member of the Guard from outside, with great difficulty extricated the occupant from the harness and wreckage. Meanwhile, escaping petrol and the port engine of the aircraft had burst into flames which considerable increased the difficulties of the task. At this stage he noticed for the first time the other occupant of the machine who was lying on his back underneath the wreckage with his head in the flames. Without hesitation Donaldson took off his tunic, and under extreme difficulty, succeeded in covering the head of the pilot, himself suffering burns on the hands and arms and his own clothing. As he was unable, alone, to do more for the pilot, he turned his attention again to the other member of the crew, and dragged him some 20 yards clear of the machine, and attended to him. By this time personnel from the Dispersal Point arrived, and, together with the members of the Guard succeeded in dragging the wreckage away from the pilot, whose legs were entangled in the controls. He was pulled clear and wrapped in blankets until the arrival of the ambulance’.

Re: 1370558 Sergeant Andrew Sangster Donaldson
 

As per post in RAFCommands
"F/O (Pilot) Robert G.M. WRIGHT - 62344. Wright's death at Sleaford and so possibly Oxford X6935, crashed Cranwell area."
http://www.rafcommands.com/archive/13311.php
Sadly seems the pilot didn't survive
WRIGHT, ROBERT GEORGE MICHAEL. Flying Officer (pilot). Service Number 62344
Died 01/10/1942. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Son of Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Wright, of Wood Green, Middlesex.
Buried at NEW SOUTHGATE CEMETERY Sec. A. Grave 1080.

and confirmed http://www.bcar.org.uk/new1942-incident-logs
"01/10/1942 Oxford X6935 RAFC Cranwell This aircraft was wrecked when it crashed into a field after colliding with Master T8488 on approach to land.
Instructor F/O RGM Wright was killed, pupil LAC FAJ Burroughs was seriously injured.
01/10/1942 Master T8488 RAFC Cranwell This aircraft was wrecked when it collided with Oxford X6935 whilst on approach to land.
Pilot Cpl J Jilek (Czech) was unhurt."