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Old 02-04-2018, 03:15 PM
June Lois Smalley June Lois Smalley is offline
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Post Local WW2 history knowledge needed.

Hi. I`ve been trying to find out some information about my father, but there`s nobody left alive who can tell me, so I`m hoping that someone on here can be of a little help. My father was in the RAF during WW2, as an aircraftsman 1st class, based in Morpeth. He was killed in an accident at sea just off Amble, on December 5th 1942, aged 22. I wondered if anyone remembers this happening, or if there is any local newspaper footage that I can look at? His name was Lewis Sutcliffe, 1088475. I dearly hope that someone can be of assistance.
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Old 02-04-2018, 03:58 PM
June Lois Smalley June Lois Smalley is offline
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Sorry, I should hae added, he was flying a towing aircraft, a Martinet HN941, if that is any help?
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Old 07-04-2018, 03:48 PM
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Coquet Coquet is offline
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Hi, June. there is nothing in the Acklington Station record book for this loss. I assume this means the aircraft was from another station or with a squadron not at Acklington?

Anyway, what you are looking for is form 765. I've transcribed a few of these, here's one for Acklington, Spitfire crash landing due to engine failure. Another with a Martinet being taken through a hedge due to pilot error.

At the top of the form is a list of where copies of the report could end up. I would start with the Squadron or station records, at the National Archives at Kew. Although I assume all of the recipient list records are now at Kew as well.
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Old 07-04-2018, 04:29 PM
janwhin janwhin is offline
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Apparently there was an airfield south west of Morpeth so I guess that was where he would be based.
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Old 07-04-2018, 05:11 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by janwhin View Post
Apparently there was an airfield south west of Morpeth so I guess that was where he would be based.
Yes quite likely, Tranwell Airfield was home to No 4 Air Gunnery School. Outside possibilities could be Boulmer or Eshott?

The Wikipedia page for Tranwell mentions the aircraft for gunnery training, Blackburn Botha and Avro Anson, but nothing on the target towing.

Here's the Martinet anyway, a familiar sight over Druridge in WW2 I imagine:


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Old 07-04-2018, 08:44 PM
June Lois Smalley June Lois Smalley is offline
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Thank you for your replies. From letters that my mother received from Lewis`s friends on the base, plus commanding officer, he was stationed at RAF Morpeth.
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Old 08-04-2018, 09:04 AM
this_is_gav this_is_gav is offline
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Yes, a quick Google suggests he was based at RAF Morpeth (later Tranwell Airfield).

There's a little more information here from someone looking for more info on the pilot. Quoted below:

Quote:
4 AGS RAF Morpeth ORB for 5th Dec 1942 records:
Martinet HN941 force landed in sea off Amble, due to engine failure. Towed Target Operator, 1088475 A.C. Sutcliffe, died as a result of drowning and shock. Pilot, 1266012 Sgt. Jones, uninjured.

The ORB makes no mention of his forenames or initials.

However the SSQ records:-
A Target Towing Aircraft (Martinet) crashed into the sea off Amble. It was piloted by 1266012 Sgt. Jones N.L. who survived and was unhurt.
The Towed Target Operator 108475 L.A.C. Sutcliffe was killed. Death due to drowining and primary shock.
Both men wre taken to Amble Military Hospital. The body of L.A.C. Sutcliffe was brought over to RAF Morpeth 5.12.42.
Sgt Jones was retained overnight at Amble owing to lack of dry clothing.
Apologies if you've already found the above.
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Old 08-04-2018, 10:08 AM
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Last night I tried to find the RAF Morpeth record book in the National Archives catalogue. I cannot find it. You can get them all up in an alpha list and I still cannot find it.
What am I doing wrong (I can see the Acklington book in there so I am in the right place)

Must be there. Gav's internet ref. is quoting from it.


http://discovery.nationalarchives.go...C2083/C4098009
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Old 08-04-2018, 12:46 PM
June Lois Smalley June Lois Smalley is offline
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Thank you Gav, that`s a little more information that I didn`t have.
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Old 28-11-2019, 10:26 AM
Nigel Murphy Nigel Murphy is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by June Lois Smalley View Post
Thank you for your replies. From letters that my mother received from Lewis`s friends on the base, plus commanding officer, he was stationed at RAF Morpeth.
Hello, my father was also a Towed Target Operator with No. 4 Air Gunnery School at RAF Morpeth. He may have known your father. I will dig out his papers and see if I have anything that is relevant. I suspect not, but its good to hear this information, even though the circumstances are sad.
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  #11  
Old 15-02-2020, 06:09 PM
Hadston-Green Hadston-Green is offline
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Default Sutcliffe newspapers entries

a newspaper entry
Attached Images
File Type: jpg F209116A-83D3-41D6-80C0-54AADA7E5625.jpg (52.1 KB, 4 views)

Last edited by Hadston-Green; 29-10-2020 at 05:51 PM.
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