Blenheim V6022

[Johnnie]

Seeking any information regarding Bristol Blenheim V6022. I think it was a Mk IV and that it crashed on the 28th of April 1941 near RAF Thornaby, while with 114 Squadron, however not certain.

Any information regarding the aircraft and the crew (who I think were all killed) would be great. I believe the navigator of the crew may have been Pilot Officer Norman Frederick Dawson (No. 84729), and he is listed on the CWGC site as being killed on the 28th of April 1941.

Any further information about V6022, her crew or P/O Dawson would be fantastic.

Johnnie

[rafcommands]

Hi,



From RAF Coastal Command Losses, Vol 1

28 April 1941

114 Sqn

Blenheim IV

V6022

RT-B

P/O J G K Long
P/O N F Dawson
Sgt N F Taylor

Op: Convoy Escort, RAF Thornaby, Took off 18:00 hrs

Crashed on the return from convoy FN.59 2 miles from the flare path at 23:14 hrs. P/O Dawson rests in Writtle Road Cemetery, Chelmsford, Sgt Taylor in Cheltenham Cemetery, and P/O Long in Christ Church Churchyard, Downend, Gloucestershire.

Regards
Ross

[Johnnie]

Many thanks for the information about the crash.

Is there any way I could find out more about the crew involved (things like the length of time they had served with the squadron).

The navigator (N F Dawson) was an officer. Does this mean he would have served in the RAF/with 114 squadron for some time, or was it common for airman navigators to become officers on completion of training.

once again, many thanks for the information.

[rafcommands]

Hi,

Is there any way I could find out more about the crew involved (things like the length of time they had served with the squadron).

(A visit to The National Archives, Kew, will allow you to examine the ORB for No.114 Sqn. This is the War Diary for the unit and gives the previous ops by each crewman.)

The navigator (N F Dawson) was an officer. Does this mean he would have served in the RAF/with 114 squadron for some time, or was it common for airman navigators to become officers on completion of training.

(Observer was an aircrew trade that could be filled by any Non Commissioned/Warranted/Commissioned Officer. Dawson's service number suggests a recent commission but the London Gazette would confirm the date for this. Long on the other hand gained his P/O rank on 6th Jan 1940).

Regards
Ross

[Johnnie]

Thank you for the information.

It seems that Dawson became an officer at the end of August/start of September 1940, so I am not sure if he may have been on a squadron at this stage.

Would he have had to serve some time on a squadron to become an officer, or would he automaticaly become an officer on completion of training to be a navigator?

[rafcommands]

Time, I think, that you did a little background research into RAF training. Try reading "Right of the Line" for an excellent overview of RAF matters.

As I have said the aircrew trade of observer did not require a specific rank or did any of the other aircrew positions so his commission has nothing to do with his trade and vice versa.

The best way to identify when he joined the squadron is to examine the ORB. You can do this either personally, order photocopies from a distance or use a researcher to examine the archives on your behalf.

Regards
Ross