Flight Sergeant Kenneth E. Selden No. 202 Squadron

[Dave Bobbiggles]

Trying to research the loss of Flight Sergeant (Pilot) Kenneth Edmund Selden (Service No 915233) who was killed at the age of twenty-five on 10th May 1942 whilst serving with No. 202 Squadron, Coastal Command? I believe that No 202 Squadron were serving from Gibraltar at this time but he was returned home for burial (Hemel Hempstead (Heath Lane) Cemetery?

Could anyone help with the circumstances of his death? Was he lost whilst flying a Swordfish or a Catalina, as I believe the squadron was being re-equipped with Cat's at this time?

Any help would be very gratefully appreciated.

Thanks

Dave

[rafcommands]

Hi Dave,

He was not returned to the UK after death. His death is registered in Fylde, Lancashire.

I note that the CWGC does not give his unit as No.202 Sqn so it is more likely that he had been transferred to another unit.

Looking at other RAF deaths on 10/05/42 within the UK gives more men with the registration of Fylde.

I would suggest looking for a Radio School etc loss for this airman.

Regards
Ross

[dp_burke]

There is Kenneth E Selden registered dead, aged 27, in the Flyde district, Lancashire. Age does not match CWGC, but they don't always.
It would be very unusual for a serviceman to be brought back from overseas for burial.

He is listed as Killed on Active Service in Air Min Casualty listings in teh FLight Magazine dated September 10th 1942.
Also dying that date and registered in Flyde are:

P/O Roy Van Ingen 68799

Are you sure about the 202 Squadron connection?

regards

Dennis

[Dave Bobbiggles]

Thanks Ross and Dennis.

I found a letter from the Squadron Leader of No. 202 Squadron to the family reporting Flt/Sgt. Kenneth E. Selden's loss. It also says his body was recovered from the sea off Blackpool following a flying accident, not Gibraltar where I believe No. 202 Squadron were stationed at the time?

Was wondering if he may have been ferrying an aircraft or perhaps converting to Catalina's at the time of his death?

Any help or suggestions would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

Dave

[rafcommands]

Why insist on a Catalina loss associated with No.202 Sqn?

The RAF had other aircraft and posted men between units on a regular basis.

Given the location and CWGC listings I would tend towards the theory that he had been posted out from No.202 Sqn on completion of tour and was being employed as a pilot for a training unit.

Most of the losses in the vicinity of Blackpool were from the flying training associated with the Radio Schools. In this case I could not find a Botha loss for this date.

Given the lack of loss in Chorley, RS/ SoAN/Catalinas or no RNLI record of service we either have a crash on land of an aircraft that required two pilots or an offshore loss where two bodies were recovered.

I do not have a crew list but I have a hunch that he was on London K9683.

Try the No.4 OTU ORB.

Regards
Ros

[Dave Bobbiggles]

Thanks for all your help Ross it is very much appreciated.

I only mention the possibility of a Catalina as that is what his family said. Two letters I have seen also state that he was serving, although it had only been a short time, with No. 202 Squadron. One of which was the usual Commanding Officer type letter to the next-of-kin of a killed airman. One letter does state that his body was recovered from the sea off Blackpool though.

Thanks for all your help and I will follow up your suggestions.

Best Wishes

Dave

[dp_burke]

I was noticing the missing men for this date the other night and your mention of 4 C OTU brings me back to these names:

MISSING. BELIEVED KILLED ON ACTIVE SERVICE
P/O R. Edwards A/C.1 J. H. Kelso; A/C.1 A. Kidd

They are listed in the same casualty listing (Air Min #152) as Selden and Van Ingen.

RAF GRO index lists them as beign with 4 C OTU.

I checked the death register index and believe the only two names in Flyde district were Selden and Van Ingen.

Hope this is useful to you both.

Dennis

[rafcommands]

Hence my suggestion for the London.

I have the three men assigned to the loss but this is not enough for a complete crew.

The London crashed off Wigtownshire while circling a trawler. This is the reason for my supposition that the trawler recovered two bodies and took them to it's home port where their deaths were recorded locally.

Ross

[Henk Welting]

Besides P/O EDWARDS and AC1's KELSO and KIDD for this date also on the Runnymede (Panel 98): AC1 Thomas E. WILLIAMS - 1184379 (listed as being 50 Sqn).
Regards,
Henk.

[Henk Welting]

Saro London II serial K9683 of 4 (C)OTU crashed 6 miles NW of Portpatrick, Kirkcudbright.
Regards,
Henk.