3 unaccounted FAA losses, May/June 1940

[B.F.M. Droog]

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

[Chris Goss]

Unless they were aircraft related, your chances are slim as the majority of FAA records were destroyed in the 60s

[B.F.M. Droog]

Hello Chris,

That's a pity, but it's good to know. Do you know what caused the destruction of the material?

Regards,

Bart

[paulmcmillan]

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

[B.F.M. Droog]

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

[Chris Goss]

An over zealous officer apparently thought that the records would be of no further use..............so they were destroyed

[Henk Welting]

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.

[B.F.M. Droog]

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)

[Ex Shack]

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

[dhoward]

HMS Daedalus II was a training establishment for FAA artificers: my father was one.