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

[Observer1940]

The following is now known:-

Mrs Clara Jane Billings was injured, due to Reed (the defendant in the case 'Billings v. Reed') flying an RAF aeroplane at a height of only 6 feet over a field in which she was working at Halway Farm, Deeping St. Nicholas, Spalding, on 20th May 1942 at about 2.45 p.m. The trial at Nottingham heard that Mrs Billings was struck by the wing of an aeroplane belonging to the Air Ministry and piloted by the defendant. She died of her injuries two days later on 22nd May.

I DON'T want to know the injuries on this public forum, as I am already aware.

However, does anyone have anymore information about the aircraft involved and the pilot Reed, or the RAF Unit involved please?

Thanks Mark

[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.

[Observer1940]

Thank you Dennis,

I have just traced the piece in The Times, Law Report, which gives a little more detail about time and place. Updated original posting.

Compensation was granted to Mr Billings by Mr Justice Charles as you rightly say, of £450 (£200 under the Fatal Accidents Act and £250 under the Law Reform Act).

However, the defendant (Pilot) Reed was allowed Leave to Appeal and despite the admission of Negligence by the defence before the trial at Nottingham, the poor husband Mr Billings lost his compensation, because the injury was not a "war injury" according to the 1939 Act, as she had died two days later.

I expect the defence appealed to avoid paying out compensation to others who died in similar circumstances. To avoid a precedent.

CWGC give the implication on their Clara Jane Billings page that her civilian war death was enemy action, by stating this under her name ...

"Of the many civilians of the Commonwealth whose deaths were due to enemy action in the 1939-1945 War, the names of some 67,092 are commemorated in the Civilian War Dead Roll of Honour, located near St. George's Chapel in Westminster Abbey, London."

About time CWGC gave a more frank account.
Mark

[Larry]

Immediately after WW2 when my father was learning to fly on Harvards with 3 FTS at RAF Feltwell, it was quite normal for pilots to fly very low over the Fenlands. Obviously they had not been told of the dangers to others.

On one occasion my father was flying very low over the Fens and buzzed some farm workers picking potatoes. Instead of throwing themselves to the ground, they retaliated by throwing the potatoes they had in their hands directly at the Harvard. One potato even passed through the spinning prop and hit the canopy while others bounced off the sides! Perhaps these people had been buzzed a few too many times!

There but for the grace of god go I, as they say!

[Observer1940]

According to The Times, Law Report, Court of Appeal, Billings v. Reed, Mr Billings "alleged that the accident was caused by the negligent management and/or control of an aeroplane at Deeping St. Nicholas, Spalding, Lincolnshire, on May 20, 1942."

"Before the trial was begun at Nottingham negligence was admitted, and the only defence relied on was that no damages were payable by reason of Section 3 of the Personal Injuries (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1939."

Mark

[Col Bruggy]

Hello,

And the fate of Richard Robert REED?

22-23 May 1944
No.576 Sqn
Lancaster I ME687:UL-S2
Op: Dortmund.

Took off 2200 Elsham Wolds. Crashed at Hiddingsel, where all were buried on 24 May, a small village 8 km E of Dulmen. All now lie in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. The two DFM recipients had their decorations published on 21 December 1945. F/L Hill was the Squadron's Gunnery Leader. It will be recalled that P/O Reed had brought home a very severely damaged Lancaster from the raid on Mailly-le-Camp (see: BCL5/209).

P/O R R Reed DSO +
Sgt A Taylor DFM +
F/O G Hallows DFC +
F/S M A Saruk DFM RCAF +
F/O W Murphy DFC +
Sgt S S Greenwood +
F/l F Hill OBE DFC +

See: BCL5/238.

Col.

[Observer1940]

Hello Colin

Thanks.

However, P/O Richard Robert Reed killed on 23rd May 1944 aged 31, has a different Service Number, being (172568), which begs the question, is this the same chap?

Also, does anyone know what aircraft R. R. Reed (111113) was flying in May 1942, Squadron and which RAF Station he was based at, please?

Regards Mark

[dp_burke]

The officer lying dead in Germany is

1202828 Richard Herbert REED (172568]. per London Gazette with a later corection of his name

11th Apr. 1944 (p. 1667, col. I) concerning
Richard Herbert REED (172568)

for Herbert read

Robert;

The man cashiered was
1202828 Richard Robert REED (111113).

So, its seems commishioned twice with a new officers number each time. Learn something new every day.

[Observer1940]

Dennis

I was just about to post too, about 1202828 Richard Herbert Reed (172568) page 1667 of the 11 April, 1944 London Gazette and if you go back a few pages, he was RAFVR promoted to Pilot Officer on probation.

Thanks Dennis, to the reference in 2nd May 1944, I had not spotted that:-

11th Apr. 1944 (p. 1667, col. I) concerning Richard Herbert REED (172568) for Herbert read Robert;

The 6th June 1944 London Gazette edition, Third Supplement 9th June, (extract below) gives this Service number to Richard Robert Reed:-
Pilot Officer Richard Robert REED (172568), Royal
Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 576 Squadron.
One night in May, 1944, this officer piloted an
aircraft to attack a target in Southern France.
When nearing 'the objective the aircraft was
attacked by a fighter. The inter-communication
system was put out of action but, although unable
to receive any evading directions, Pilot Officer
Reed manoeuvred with much skill. His aircraft
which had caught fire to the rear of the fuselage,
had sustained extensive damage and went into a
steep dive. With the greatest difficulty Pilot Officer Reed succeeded in regaining control. ...
Thanks, Mark

[paulmcmillan]

Originally Posted by dp_burke

So, its seems commishioned twice with a new officers number each time. Learn something new every day.

Dennis - I have seen this at least once before court martial reduced to ranks/removed from service then re-commissioned with new Servcie Number

* Don't ask me the details though !


Paul