Flying Officer Crittall Killed 21/10/40

[Del1701]

Can anyone help me with details of the fate of F/O 41559 D. Crittall. CWGC state that he died on the 21/10/40. He is buried at Tilshead, Wiltshire. At the time he served with 225 Squadron. Becasue 225 were not an "operational" Battle of Britan squadron he is not on any lists I can find. Any info would be much appreciated. I have unconfirmed info that he was shot down by a JU88 but need to confirm. Thanks del.

[Chris Goss]

225 Sqn were flying Lysanders from Tilsead; reasons for his death are not known but I can find out if nobody on this forum has the answer

[Del1701]

Chirs, if you do have a sourse of info that would be great. I have a little bit of info that the JU88 9K+BH may have been responsible just before it attacked Old Sarum. Thanks again Del.

[Alex Smart]

Hello Del,

Don't know if this will help you or not.

But from Air Britain P1000 to R9999

R9128 Stalled on take off due to wrong tail trim and spun into the ground at Old Sarum.
225 Sqn 21/10/1940.

So I don't expect that this a/c was shot down.

Perhaps your man was flying another Lysander.

Alex

[paulmcmillan]

If someone has an account on Ancestry.co.uk you can find out where his death was registered..

I can't find his name on the online The Times Digital Archibe roll of honour for the period (Air Force Communiques) , if it said 'killed in action' or 'killed on active service' then first in combat, second in onon-operational crash, if 'died on service' then ilnness or accident

[paulmcmillan]

He is listed in the 4th Qtr Death Registers for 1940 as Daniel P Crittell - Note 'e' not 'a' which may indicate why could not find gim on Times aged 24 - Death Registered Salisbury

[Chris Goss]

Fg Off Crittall (according to the RAF Cas Card) was killed in a flying accident at 1225 hrs 21 Oct 40 at Old Sarum in Lysander R9128

[Del1701]

Thanks All, for your help with this one. The time of the crash is about an hour prior to the incident with the JU88 at the same location. There is no way that they can be connected. Are you aware how to locate injury recorded relating to ground crew? Thanks All.

[Chris Goss]

I have a listing of all BofB groundcrew casualties

[Del1701]

Chris, where would I be without you? According to the Salisbury Journal when the JU88 (who would later become 609 sqns 100th Kill) passed over Old Sarum it machine gunned the airfield causing two minor casualties to ground crew. I am looking for details of these men, name, rank post ect. Would you list cover minor injuries or is it just fatalities?? Del.