Sgt H.J. Davidson 249 Sqn please?

[Britace]

Looking for any info and photos of Sgt H.J. Davidson of 249 Sqn. please. Davidson served with 249 Sqn during the BoB, but was killed in a crash on 6th October 1942 at RAF Calveley, Cheshire. Crashing after stalling his Boulton Paul Defiant (coded AA297) while in the circuit after an AA co-operation exercise. Both Davidson and his passenger were killed. Many thanks. Britace

[gedburke3]

Hi Britace,
Could you pm me for an image. I can't seem to attach it here.
Gerry

[Henk Welting]

Hello Britace,
Who was the passenger also killed in AA297 ?
Regards and thanks in advance,
Henk.

[Alan Clark]

The 5 (P)AFU ORB only records the pilot and an un-named airman, the way it is written suggests someone who was on the ground.

October 6th 1942, SSQ, “Crash and fire at Calveley at 10.00 hours on Aerodrome. Defiant F/O Davidson, Multiple Injuries. Engine cut-out of fuel. Machine guns went off injuring one airman in the leg. Admitted Crewe EMS and transferred Winwick for operation.”

And the Merchant Ship Fighter Unit only records Davidson as well.

October 6th 1942, “Flying Officer H.J. Davidson was killed at 10.00 hrs this morning as the result of a flying accident at Calveley, when flying Defiant I aircraft AA297. It is understood that the aircraft stalled and spun during a circuit. F/O Davidson, who had been attached to 285 Squadron (pending posting there) since 1.10.42, was the 1st pilot to join M.S.F.U. and had
completed 5 sea trips with the unit. He made the first CAM ship voyage in the SS Empire Rainbow and was attached to M.S.F.U. Pilots Pool, Dartmouth (Nova Scotia), from the time of its formation on 14.9.41 until 19.10.41.”

I haven't checked the 285 Sqn ORB, they may record something else. When I was doing a listing of crashes for Cheshire I didn't come across anyone else in the register of deaths who matched a name on the CWGC database for that day either. I'll keep looking though.

[Tim Bishop]

Hello All,

285 Sqn ORB confirms the following 06/10/42 "F/O H.J. Davidson (61945) on attachment from M.S.F.U. Speke & due to be posted to this Unit on 07/10/42, was flying Defiant AA.297 on an Anti Aircraft Co-operation course when for some unknown reason approaching to land at RAF Station, Calveley, Cheshire, stalled & crashed. The pilot was killed instantly. Aircraft damage Cat E & partially burned."

10/10/42 "S/Ldr J.G. Younghusband attended the funeral service at Stratford, Manchester of F/O H.J. Davidson. The body was afterwards cremated at Manchester Crematorium"

It would appear that F/O H.J. Davidson was the sole occupant of the aircraft. For interested Defiant I AA.297 was allocated to the unit from No.9 Group Communications Flight on 19/08/42.

Kind regards,

Tim

[Henk Welting]

Thanks Alan & Tim for info on F/O DAVIDSON and AA297.
Regards,
Henk.