unidentified aircraft crash 28 January 1942

[alex crawford]

Hi,

On 28th January 1942 an aircraft crashed into 188 and 190 Stenhouse Street, Cowdenbeath, Fife killing four civillians.

A search of Geoffs Search Engine found four civillians who died in the crash.

Elizabeth Baird, 66, 188 Stenhouse St.
Grace Miller Currie Baird, 21, 188 Stenhouse St.
Mary Hunter, 52, 190 Stenhouse St.
Christina Thomson, 14, 190 Stenhouse St. Adopted daughter of Alexander and Mary Hunter.

A search also brought up Sub Lt (A) Peter Guy from 808 Sqn, HMS Merlin (Donibristle) who also died on this day.

All I have found on this crash was two pieced of info on the 'net. One states that the aircraft was a Spitfire that was shot down over the Firth of Forth and crashed into the houses. The other is that it was a non-pilot flight from Donibristle. This would suggest a ground crew member taking an aircraft up.

From what little info I have, all of the above, I would tend to think that Sub Lt Guy took the aircraft up on a flight and somehow crashed into the houses.

Would anyone have any further info on this crash? Any idea what the aircraft was?

Any help appreciated.

Alex