Defiant Crowborugh, Sussex, 17.04.41

[uckwash]

Further to my last request, has anyone got the EXACT LOCATION, for this Defiant please?:

DEFIANT. Shot down by our own AA fire, crashed at Redbridge Farm, Crowborough, Sussex. Flying Officer W.R.A Knocker 74333 of 264 Squadron baled out with his gunner.
This pilot 'Roddy' Knocker had previously had a mishap on 15th November 1940 after hitting a tree, trying to force land Defiant N1547 at Rochford which had caught fire in flight. He escaped but his ‘then’ gunner 'Two-pint' Toombs sadly died after being trapped in the turret of the burning aircraft.
Listed: p.814 SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 9th FEBRUARY, 1945: W. R. A. KNOCKER (74333).

Correct me if I'm wrong but I can't recall any group locating this site til now.

Local knowledge being vague too.

Dave

[paulmcmillan]

Just a note Toombs did not die in aircraft but IIRC two days later in hospital

[Andy Saunders]

My files are still packed away following garage conversion, but I have various reports on this.

If memory serves me correctly, Mr Knocker also jumped out of another Defiant (near Henfield?) at around this period? I need to check the details.

[Henk Welting]

N3369 abandoned nr Crowborough.

Henk.

[uckwash]

Thanks Henk for the serial.
I must get hold of the book 'The Defiant file' Alec Brew, Tempus Publishing, ISBN 0 7524 2116 6. Alec himself may be near here somewhere (T.wells).
I have Willy Rodney Alex Knocker listed as an Oxford graduate in Kenneth Wynn's 'Men of the Battle of Britain' Publisher: CCB Aviation Books (Sep 1999)
ISBN-10: 1902074106.
No one in Crowborough saw this but I'm not sure the Redbridge farm occupants wouldn't have seen something.
Andy that would likely be May 1941, according to Ken Wynn's book, although it says it was 'over London'.
After the war he went to Kenya it says.
Incidentally 'he' shot down a JU88 in day fighting, in a Defiant, (or should that be his gunner!)?
Dave

[Andy Saunders]

I think it was April 18th 1941, so I think Ken Wynn is incorrect? All this from memory, as my files are not accesible and wont be for some weeks still!

The location of that crash is in the corner of a wood at Slaugham. I went there in about 1972 when there was quite a bit of it still lying about. I picked up the large brass oxygen regulator data plate on a well-walked footpath!

I have also been to the Redbridge one many years ago. Again, its in a wood and I do have all the details in that elusive filing box.

Hmmm....not sure about my memory on that date now I have seen the date of the Crowborough one? Or is there something at the back of my mind that he had incidents on two succesive nights? It has prompted me to excavate through to the files.....!!

Where is a Paul McMillan when you need one? Anyone out there Paul? It will save me moving hundreds of boxes.....!!!

[uckwash]

Ken Wynn aludes to 'May 1941' (not the exact date):
'Knocker was shot down over London by AA fire and bailed out'

Pipping wood (local hearsay) opposite Redbridge farm (Crowborough) is said to be where 'N3369 abandoned nr Crowborough' via Defiant file (Brew).

I think therefore YES Ken Wynn's refering to the Crowborough loss, as I think Pat Burgess says he was hit by friendly AA.

Dave