Looking for details for Lancaster W4239

[SiA8/U1]

Hi Guys

I'm looking for information about the crash of Avro Lancaster W4239 on the 31st October 1942.

My great uncle RAFVR Sgt Donald Francis No 1315446 was the Air Bomber on board. He, along with Sgt Matthams RAAF, were seroiusly injured and both died the next day.

I am looking for any information or photographs of aircraft or crew.

Information I have so far:

From th 97 Sqn Association website:
Flying from Woodhall Spa

8 aircraft detailed for ops and two aircraft for night cross countrys.
Ops cancelled.
One of the night exercise aircraft, W4239, crashed just outside the aerodrome for reasons unknown.

Sgt McLeod (pilot)
Sgt Matthams (navigator)
Sgt Francis (air bomber)
Sgt Starkie
Sgt Dykes
Sgt Guy (W/Op)

From the Lostbombers website:



"Serial Range W4102 - W4700 This aircraft was one of 450 Manchesters ordered from A.V.Roe (Chadderton) Jan40 of which the last 207 were built as Lancaster Mk.1s delivered from Jul42 to Nov42 initially fitted with Merlin 20 engines. W4239 was delivered to No.9 Sqdn 30Sep42, joining No.97 Sqdn 28Oct42. W4239 took part in the following Key Operations: With No.9 Sqdn as WS-T, Osnabr_ck 6/7Oct42; Milan 24Oct42-Daylight. No operations with No.97 Sqdn. Crashed in the Woodhall Spa circuit, while trying to land at the end of a Bullseye flight. The accident was attributed to the outer port propeller coming out of coarse pitch and overspeeding. No casualties reported or the condition of the aircraft. Sgt W.MacLeod. "

97 Sqn call sign quoted as OF-L


I would like to confirm the cause of the accident and the callsign.

Other places to look for information would also be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Si

[dp_burke]

If you go to the Australian National archives site:

http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/ResearcherScreen.asp

Pop in Matthams serial number in the search screen, its 400416 , and you will find his casualty record file. Might hold some information for you.


regards
Dennis

[SiA8/U1]

Hi Dennis,

Thanks for that, there is a lot of information on that site, it has given me most of the ranks and numbers of the crew and also an extra crew member!

Crew list now looks like this:

Sgt W MacLoed (1053139) RAF Pilot – seriously injured
Sgt T Starkey (548376) RAF – injured
T/Sgt D Francis (1315446) RAF Air Bomber – died of injuries
T/Sgt KW Dykes (1237265) RAF – injured
P/O D Rodger (J10160) RCAF – injured
T/Sgt Guy (?) RAF? W/Op?–uninjured
Sgt RG Matthams (400416) RAAF – died of injuries

I am assuming P/O Rodger would have been aboard as an instructor, and that T/Sgt = Trainee Sergeant.

I like the fact that the NAA website has digitised copies of records, wish the UK archives could be the same!

Cheers

Si

[galgos]

Originally Posted by SiA8/U1

Hi Guys

I'm looking for information about the crash of Avro Lancaster W4239 on the 31st October 1942.

My great uncle RAFVR Sgt Donald Francis No 1315446 was the Air Bomber on board. He, along with Sgt Matthams RAAF, were seroiusly injured and both died the next day.

I am looking for any information or photographs of aircraft or crew.

Information I have so far:

From th 97 Sqn Association website:
Flying from Woodhall Spa

8 aircraft detailed for ops and two aircraft for night cross countrys.
Ops cancelled.
One of the night exercise aircraft, W4239, crashed just outside the aerodrome for reasons unknown.

Sgt McLeod (pilot)
Sgt Matthams (navigator)
Sgt Francis (air bomber)
Sgt Starkie
Sgt Dykes
Sgt Guy (W/Op)

From the Lostbombers website:



"Serial Range W4102 - W4700 This aircraft was one of 450 Manchesters ordered from A.V.Roe (Chadderton) Jan40 of which the last 207 were built as Lancaster Mk.1s delivered from Jul42 to Nov42 initially fitted with Merlin 20 engines. W4239 was delivered to No.9 Sqdn 30Sep42, joining No.97 Sqdn 28Oct42. W4239 took part in the following Key Operations: With No.9 Sqdn as WS-T, Osnabr_ck 6/7Oct42; Milan 24Oct42-Daylight. No operations with No.97 Sqdn. Crashed in the Woodhall Spa circuit, while trying to land at the end of a Bullseye flight. The accident was attributed to the outer port propeller coming out of coarse pitch and overspeeding. No casualties reported or the condition of the aircraft. Sgt W.MacLeod. "

97 Sqn call sign quoted as OF-L


I would like to confirm the cause of the accident and the callsign.

Other places to look for information would also be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Si

Si,
Apart from the issue of plagiarism of Bill Chorley's books, use the Lost Bombers site with caution, there are a lot of errors on there.
Max

[SiA8/U1]

Thanks for the heads up Max, will treat that info with kid gloves!

Cheers

Si