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Allied and Soviet Air Forces Please use this forum to discuss the Air Forces of the Western Allies and the Soviet Union. |
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#1
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3 unaccounted FAA losses, May/June 1940
What caused the deaths of:
1. Leading Airman Richard H. Ritchie, RN FAA/SR.644, H.M.S. Ford [Naval History.net: Peregrine = RN Air Station, Ford, Sussex], age 21, 20/05/1940, Dorking Cemetery, UK 2. Air Mechanic (E) 2nd Class James O'Brien, RN FX76797, H.M.S. Peregrine [RN Air Station, Ford, Sussex], age 23, 06/06/1940, Arundel Roman Catholic Cemetery, UK 3. Air Fitter (O) John T. Beecroft, RN L/FX79011, [Daedalus II, RN Aircraft Training Establishment, Newcastle under Lyme], age 22, 16/06/1940, Newton (St. Mary) Churchyard, Hyde, UK And to what units did they belong? Regards, Bart |
#2
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Re: 3 unaccounted FAA losses, May/June 1940
Unless they were aircraft related, your chances are slim as the majority of FAA records were destroyed in the 60s
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#3
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Re: 3 unaccounted FAA losses, May/June 1940
Hello Chris,
That's a pity, but it's good to know. Do you know what caused the destruction of the material? Regards, Bart |
#4
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Re: 3 unaccounted FAA losses, May/June 1940
They are all buried in the UK so maybe died of natural causes, accidents or in air raids etc if you ask on RAFCommands someone may look up the death registration district for you and this may give a clue fo air raids etc
anyway you could always request a death certificate at £7 (ish) and that may provide more details |
#5
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Re: 3 unaccounted FAA losses, May/June 1940
Thanks Paul and Henk,
Reason why I posted this question here is because FAA is not RAF, so I didn't know if the RAF Commands Forum would be the right place to post. But Henk, weekend? Not for me: have to unload a container tomorrow. Regards, Bart |
#6
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Re: 3 unaccounted FAA losses, May/June 1940
An over zealous officer apparently thought that the records would be of no further use..............so they were destroyed
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#7
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Re: 3 unaccounted FAA losses, May/June 1940
Bart,
http://www.naval-history.net/xDKCas1003-Intro.htm has all three as "DIED" (non-flying accident or natural causes). Goed weekend en gegroet, Henk. |
#8
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Re: 3 unaccounted FAA losses, May/June 1940
Thanks Dick and Chris,
@ Chris - I suppose this officer was later court martialed and quartered or at least beheaded? If not, it's time to do so. @ Dick - HMS Daedalus is indeed a naval station as is HMS Peregrine. Unfortunately this doesn't mean a lot, as flying personnel in the diverse FAA Squadrons are listed by the CWGC as belonging to 'HMS Daedalus' etcetera. Cheers, Bart (quicker back than expected, after unloading 12 tons of Chinese banners for the Dutch market) |
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Re: 3 unaccounted FAA losses, May/June 1940
Hi Bart
My wife has confirmed from her own nostalgic school records that the FAA Unit at Clayton Hall nr Newcastle-under-Lyme was named HMS Daedalus II which is as recorded against Beecroft's name in the Naval History Site. There is no record that she has that tells what purpose the Unit had and there is no sign of the cause of Beecroft's death Regards Dick |
#10
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Re: 3 unaccounted FAA losses, May/June 1940
HMS Daedalus II was a training establishment for FAA artificers: my father was one.
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