Spitfire Fatal Losses 1939

[Alex Smart]

Hello,
This subject I am sure has been delt with on this forum before, but I just canot find it.
So here goes again.
16-03-39.....41 Sqn.....K9838.....Lost wing, Eryholm, Yorks..... Sgt. George Verdun Serjeant.....killed.
18-07-39.....41 Sqn.....K9888.....flew into hill, Appleby, Cumb.....Sgt. Mitchell.....killed.
30-08-39.....74 Sqn.....K9861.....stalled to avoid collision.....sgt. Cyril Douglas Gower.....killed.
02-09-39.....611 Sqn.....K9985.....flew into ground.....P/O. Leech.....killed.
04-09-39..... ? .....K5054.....stalled.....F/Lt. White.....killed.
06-09-39.....66 Sqn.....K9986.....crashed at night.....P/O. DGB Patton.....killed.
08-09-39.....602 Sqn.....K9965.....flew into ground nr Glasgow..... Sgt. JMC Bryden.....killed.
01-10-39.....603 Sqn.....L1047.....landed on by L1059.....F/O. JAB Somerville.....killed.
06-11-39.....41 Sqn.....K9846.....hit telephone wires.....F/O. HEH Overall.....killed.
31-11-39.....602 Sqn.....K9968.....f/l in France.....Pilot ?.....killed.
30-12-39.....602 Sqn.....K9977.....lost wing, E Lothian.....Sgt. BP Bailey.....killed.

My questions are -
1. What were Sgt. Mitchell's initials ?
2. What were P/O. Leech's initials ?
3. To which Squadron was K5054 attached on 4th March 39 ?
4. What were F/Lt. White's initials ?
5. Confirmation of K9986's pilot being P/O Patton ?

I can find no details in CWGC site re Leech,White or Patton why would this be ?

Many thanks
Alex
Who was the pilot of K9968 ?

[Leendert]

Alex,

K9888 apparently Kenneth Mitchell. See http://www.peakdistrictaircrashes.co...ninesk9888.htm

Regards,

Leendert

[Leendert]

...and Henry Fiddes Leech in K9985. See http://spitfiresite.com/2011/09/pres...011-09-09.html

Regards,

Leendert

[Leendert]

For K5054 all I found so far that the pilot was nicknamed "Spinner" White.

Regards,

Leendert

[Leendert]

Alex,

Did find F/Lt G.S White for K5054.

Regards,

Leendert

[Alex Smart]

Hello Leendert,
Thank you
I found a name, Gilbert Stanbridge White but can find no other info on him except he was a pilot.
Alex

[paulmcmillan]

Alex

You are missing one "1939 Fatal Spitfire Accident" (sort of)

Albert Phipps of Cirencester was killed at Brize Norton Aerodrome, when the Tractor he was driving across the edge of the airfied was struck by Spitfire K9826 flown by P/O J B Coward of 19 Sqn from Duxford on 1st June 1939. The aircraft was Cat C and repaired

Paul

[paulmcmillan]

16-03-39.....41 Sqn.....K9838.....Lost wing recovering from dive, Eryholme, Yorks..... Sgt. George Verdun Serjeant #565774.....killed.
18-07-39.....41 Sqn.....K9888.....Flew into High Scold Fell, Appleby, Cumberland in rainstorm on navex......Sgt. Kenneth Mitchell #740241.....killed.
30-08-39.....74 Sqn.....K9861.....Stalled to avoid collision and dived into ground, Grays Thurrock, Essex.....Sgt. Cyril Douglas Gower #740528.....killed.
02-09-39.....611 Sqn.....K9985.....Flew into ground out of cloud on navex 5m SW of Wattisham .....P/O Henry Fiddes Leech ....killed.
04-09-39..... RAE Farnborough .....K5054.....Stalled on landing and overturned .....F/Lt. Gilbert Stanbridge White.....killed (broken neck).
06-09-39.....66 Sqn.....K9986.....Crashed in circuit at night.....P/O. Douglas George Brenchin Paton #40315.....killed.
08-09-39.....602 Sqn.....K9965.....Flew into ground near Glasgow..... Sgt. John Martin Cullen Bryden #802600....killed.
01-10-39.....603 Sqn.....L1047.....Landed on by L1059 whilst taxing at night at RAF Grangmouth.....F/O. James Alexander Brownlie Somerville #90196.....killed.
06-11-39.....41 Sqn.....K9846.....Hit telephone wires on night take off at Catterick.....F/O. Horace Ernest Herbert Overall #39331.....killed.
31-11-39.....602 Sqn.....K9968.....? - No Info November has 30 days - Stalled on landing Church Fenton 5.6.1939 ROS ??? Dismanted and Parts to Locking for GI Duties
30-12-39.....602 Sqn.....K9977.....Lost wing on recovering from loop, dived into ground, Haddington. East Lothian.....Sgt. Brian Peter Bailey #741799.....killed.

Notes: Fates of K9986 and K9968 and K9868 are getting confused and note "31-11-39" November only has 30 days

602 Sqn ORB may have more info on K9968 but prob no Pilot killed

21-11-39.....74 Sqn.....K9868.....Forcelanded in bad weather and overturned, Cherbourg, France to 21 AD and SOC 9.2.1940.....Pilot F/Lt Dom S Thom (Canadian OK) - POW in Hurricane of 1 Sqdn Shot down by AA on 25th May 1940

[paulmcmillan]

I think Leech not on VWGC befoe WW2 started and White probably not serving in RAF at time

[Alex Smart]

hello Paul,
Agree that the date 31.11.39 is not correct. Also that there are similarities between the three serial numbers.
Patton, Paton is correct.

Thanks again to all who responded.
Alex