Mrs Billings Struck by RAF Aircraft Flying at 6ft - Info Req'd

[dp_burke]

www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk

Nottingham Evening Post 2 March 1944

I can only extract the following bits of text, you can purchase a subscription to get the rest.

£450 Damages Awarded In Remarkable Case An extraordinary story of an R.A
JOHN ALBERT BILLINGS, of. Hop Pole, near Spalding,] sued Richard Robert Reed, formerly a pilot-officer and now an aircraftman in the R.A.F., for damages for the death of his wife, Clara Jane Billings, 42, , arising out of the negligent flying of the defendant. It was stated that this was the first case of its kind in the country.

in the case of H.M. aircraft, yes. In the case of Army lorries, no. DIFFICULT POINT. The judge said h e ad to decide whether the words any enactment the 1959- Act excluded the administrator from claiming respect of the estate of a person who had been unquestionably killed by reason of war injury. So. if he decided in favour of the defendant, it would mean that the husband had



London Gazette
Gazette Issue 35731 published on the 2 October 1942. Page 6 of 8

Pit. Off. R. R. REED (111113) is cashiered by sentence of General Court Martial. 21st Sept. 1942.