Eric Alastair Voy Sgt Pilot 217 Squadron
 

Can anyone help with a query on Sgt Pilot Eric Alastair Voy (Service No. 1258671) of No 217 Squadron who died of burns following a crash in a Beaufort on 6th January 1942. I believe the crash was at RAF Manston? Cremated at Charing (Kent County) Crematoruim. Only details I have is from the CWGC Site.

Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

Thanks

Dave

Re: Eric Alastair Voy Sgt Pilot 217 Squadron
 

Hi Dave,

05/01/42
217 Sqn
Beaufort II
AW283

RAF Manston, Time up 20:20 hrs

Sgt E A Voy
P/O Gambling

Took off down wind and crashed through the aerodrome boundary into a ploughed field. Both the Court of Inquiry and the Air Officer Commanding could not explain the apparent failure of Sgt Voy to confirm that he had lined up in the correct direction for take off. The WOp/AG was only slightly injured but Sgt Voy rests in Kent County Crematorium, Charing, Kent.

Regards
Ross

Re: Eric Alastair Voy Sgt Pilot 217 Squadron
 

Hi Ross

Thank you very much for such a quick and detailed response.

Kindest regards

Dave

Re: Eric Alastair Voy Sgt Pilot 217 Squadron
 

The RAF Casualty listings in Flight Magazine dated February 19th 1942 lists the following:

WOUNDED OR INJURED IN ACTION.—P/O. A. H. Gambling;

DIED OF WOUNDS OR INJURIES RECEIVED IN ACTION.— Sgt. E, A. Voy.

It was hardly an operational mission with only two on board?

Gambling is likely therefore to be:

Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
GENERAL DUTIES BRANCH.
The undermentioned are granted commissions for the duration of hostilities as Pilot Officers on probation: —
9th Aug. 1941.
Leading Aircraftmen
1376116 Arthur Henry GAMBLING (103584).

and the last mention I can find of him in London Gazette:

ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE.
GENERAL DUTIES BRANCH.
Flg. Offs. to be Flt. Lts. (war subs.): —
9th August 1943
A. H. Gambling (103584)

That said at least two Arthur Henry Gambling's have passed away between 1984-2005 in England, Wales.

Re: Eric Alastair Voy Sgt Pilot 217 Squadron
 

Thank you very much for the additional information regarding P/O A. H. Gambling. It is very much appreciated.

Dave

Re: Eric Alastair Voy Sgt Pilot 217 Squadron
 

Beaufort Mk.II serial AW283 took off in wrong direction at night (5-1-1942); ran through perimeter into ploughed field at Manston and was destroyed by fire.
Regards,
Henk.

Re: Eric Alastair Voy Sgt Pilot 217 Squadron
 

Hi,I just came across this thread after googling the aircraft's serial number and was most interested as it helps with some family history.My great-uncle was involved in disposing of what look like bombs from the Beaufort and he photographed the wreckage. The pictures show the detached tail in one piece, and the rear fuselage with the turret more or less intact . The fire seems to have destroyed the cabin area over the wing towards the nose.The serial and "MW" code are clearly visible.I hope this is of interest, there may be more details in the RAF BD records if they still exist.From Uncle's map, it would appear that the nearest squad would have been No4 at Detling.
Fred

Re: Eric Alastair Voy Sgt Pilot 217 Squadron
 

Dear Fred

Thank you very much for your recent post in regards of my original post about Sergeant Eric Voy and Beaufort II AW283.

Would it be possible to have a copy of the photographs and any details regarding this you may have? I only ask as the son of Eric Voy, who was only three weeks old when his father died, is desperate to find out any additional details regarding the loss his father?

Kind regards

Dave Brocklehurst