24 July 1940 - Battle of 12 OTU
 

Hi guys

I am aware that a FAA trainee pilot (GC Mortimer) was killed in a Battle of 12 OTU when it hit a balloon cable near RAF Benson on 24 July 1940. Was his RAF instructor killed, if so who was he? And what was the serial number of the Battle?

Cheers
Brian

Re: 24 July 1940 - Battle of 12 OTU
 

Brian,

From BCL Vol.7

24 July 1940
12 OTU
Battle I L5482
Training.

Crew
Mid (A) C G. Mortimer RN +
Sgt. E P. Wood +
Sgt. M V. Everitt +

Took off Benson for a low-level navigation exercise. Flew into high tension cables and crashed circa 1250 hrs near North Stoke, 14 miles ESE of Oxford. Mid. Mortimer RN, aged eighteen and the only naval pilot to lose his life at a Bomber Command OTU, is buried in Finchley at St. Pancras Cemetery. Sgt. Everitt rests in the extension to Benson (St. Helen) Churchyard, while Sgt. Wood was taken to Conisbrough Cemetery. Mid. Mortimer had been attached from HMS Daedalus.

Regards
Peter

Re: 24 July 1940 - Battle of 12 OTU
 

Many thanks indeed, Peter, much appreciated.

Cheers
Brian