Bertie Rex O´Bryen Hoare accident with a Fairey Battle

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Good night to all.
I would like to know the DATE and, if possible, the serial number + codes of the Fairey Battle flown by F/O Bertie Rex O´Bryen Hoare, while serving with 207 Squadron ( 1938-39 ).
This accident caused him to loose one eye. He later had a distinguished flying career with 23 and 605 Squadron, dying in 1947 while ferrying a Mosquito on SE Pacific.
Thanks in advance for any news about the Fairey Battle accident
Yours
Adriano

[paulmcmillan]

I had a look for 207 pre war accients and only could find K7585 on 13/14 December 1938 in which Pilot Officer Phillip Charles Rolls was killed - He is listedas the pilot, but there must have been a crew of at least 3. The aircraft undershot and hit a tree on night approach to Cottesmore and then became ground instructional trainer 1787M

I have NO proof this is the incident you are after but all other accidents I can see resulted in all crew being killed

[Amrit1]

Also L4967 on 23/03/1939.

I don't have any other details other than it was a 207 aircraft.

However:

Some time around the outbreak of War he was flying in a Battle from Cranfield with Douglas Wilson. He was hit by a loose engine cowling which greatly damaged his face, taking an eye out of its socket. How he got the aircraft back - a hairy landing - was just incredible. After about six months in hospital it was discovered that the damaged eye had unusual night vision.

http://www.207squadron.rafinfo.org.uk/angell/1939.htm

It seems to imply that it wasn't a crash as such.

A

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Hello Amrit1 and Paul.
I was aware of the site of 207 Squadron´s Association, where I researched. But there is NO positive identification of the serial number neither the codes of the aircraft involved.
As you put correctly Amrit, there was another member ( Wilson ) of the Squadron with him. He landed all right, although severly injured.
Can you confirm the serial number as being L4967 an the date of the incident on 23/03/1939?
Thank you for your kind contribution and help.
Yours
Adriano

[Amrit1]

It now seems unlikely to have been 23/03/1939 as there is a picture of him taken in July 1938 with 207. As it has been stated that he was off for 6 months, it looks to be an incident after then

http://www.207squadron.rafinfo.org.u...ore_angell.htm

[Leendert]

Adriano,

Try this website: http://www.207squadron.rafinfo.org.uk/angell/1939.htm

Fellow crew memebr was Douglas Wilson and it happened at RAF Cranfield.

There was a change in command in October 1939 after Hoare's accident.

No use in looking for a Fairey Battle crash, for there was none.

Regards,

Leendert

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Thank you Leendert.
I am not looking for a crash as you said, but to positively identifying the DATE of the accident who cost Hoare an eye! I am aware that thanks to his luck and skill he managed to land the aircraft undamaged with only one eye and already injured.
What I do not know is the actual date he lost his eye...But thanks again for your kind answer and contribution
Adriano

[paulmcmillan]

Possibles

Afer War declared 207 Accidents

19.09.39 Battle I K9448 207 Sqn Winchcombe, Glos. flew into high ground
23.10.39 Battle I L5185 207 Sqn Not known crashed in forced landing
22.11.39 Battle I K9192 207 Sqn 4 m W of Wyton crashed in forced landing
28.11.39 Battle I L5279 207 Sqn Bassingbourn crashed on take off

the Forced Landing on 23.10.39 may be a possible




Ignore this

"39636 Flight Lieutenant (Pilot) Alistair Bannerman Lennie.
Battle 1. L5185 On the 23 Oct 39, Pilot Officer A.B Lennie, whilst attached to 207 Sqn from RAF Mildenhall, was involved in a flying accident. He crash landed at dusk in bad visibility. Total flying hours 400, on type 43 hours. "

[Amrit1]

The incident occurred in either late September or early October 1939:



That is the full Obit from The Times (April 1947)

[Chris Goss]

There is no casualty card for him at the AHB. The only other avenue is the Disclosures department at Cranwell but they will not give away personal details unless it is to NoK. However, the AHB is searching the Accident cards for me-no promises!
AHB confirm the names on the accident cards listed above are not Hoare or Wilson so maybe it was pre-war and if so, only deaths are recorded