Edward G. Wagland - FAA FX605591 - 10 Jan 1945
 

Joe Baugher's website has a Boeing N2S-3 Stearman crash on 10 Jan 1945 (BuNo 05346) with the RN pilot being killed. Mid-air collision was cause.

Naval-history.net has for that day Leading Airman Edward. G. Wagland. He's buried in Kokomo, IN, giving an indication of location of accident.

He was attached to HMS Saker, a/the collective name for RN personnel in the US.

Looking for confirmation of Wagland being involved in this accident indeed, and info welcome about identity of other a/c in mid-air (not known to me if there were more casualties).

Regards,

Leendert

Re: Edward G. Wagland - FAA FX605591 - 10 Jan 1945
 

Should have dug deeper. before posting thread
Now found a newspaper article (The Indianapolis Star, 13 Jan 1945) identifying Leading Airman Wagland in the collision.

In other aircraft was FAA student pilot Peter Robertson, who was injured.

But there were two USN flying instructor fatalities: Lt (jg) Wells Robert Church and Lt (jg) Thomas W. Jones.

Not sure if name Wells R. Church is reported correctly in newspaper.

Their base was Bunker Hill NAS, Indiana

Regards,

Leendert

Re: Edward G. Wagland - FAA FX605591 - 10 Jan 1945
 

There is an article in the Jan 13, 1945 Indianapolis Star (newspaper) which has some details.

"Bunker Hill, Ind Jan 12

Two British aviators, each with the rating of acting leading airman, were in two naval training planes that collided Wednesday it was announced today at the Bunker Hill Naval Air Station press relations office.

One of them was killed and the other injured seriously.

The man was identified as E George Wagland, 18 years old, of Bristol England.
The injured aviator is Peter Robertson, 18 of Fife, Scotland. Robertson's condition was described today as improved.

Two Americans, both holding the rank of lieutenant (jg) in the navy were killed in the collision. They were identified yesterday as Wells Robert Church, 27, Seattle Wash and Thomas Wilson Jones, Tarzana, Cal."

Bunker Hill (today called Grissom Air Reserve Base) is just north of Kokomo.

Opps.... Looks like you found it already.


UPDATE

Wagland's grave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/...eorge-wagland#

Correct name was Wells Robert Churchill.
Here is his grave:


https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/...bert-churchill


The other man was Thomas Wilton Jones ( so both American names were incorrect in the article).

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/...s-wilton-jones

Re: Edward G. Wagland - FAA FX605591 - 10 Jan 1945
 

Thanks, Rolland, for tracing correct name of Lt Church(ill).

Regards,

Leendert