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-   -   Local WW2 history knowledge needed. (https://www.coquetandcoast.co.uk/amble-northumberland/showthread.php?t=676)

June Lois Smalley 02-04-2018 03:15 PM

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.

June Lois Smalley 02-04-2018 03:58 PM

Sorry, I should hae added, he was flying a towing aircraft, a Martinet HN941, if that is any help?

Coquet 07-04-2018 03:48 PM

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.

janwhin 07-04-2018 04:29 PM

Apparently there was an airfield south west of Morpeth so I guess that was where he would be based.

Coquet 07-04-2018 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janwhin (Post 7349)
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:


http://www.coquetandcoast.co.uk/images/martinet.jpg

June Lois Smalley 07-04-2018 08:44 PM

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.

this_is_gav 08-04-2018 09:04 AM

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.

Coquet 08-04-2018 10:08 AM

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

June Lois Smalley 08-04-2018 12:46 PM

Thank you Gav, that`s a little more information that I didn`t have.

Nigel Murphy 28-11-2019 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by June Lois Smalley (Post 7351)
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.

Hadston-Green 15-02-2020 06:09 PM

Sutcliffe newspapers entries
 
1 Attachment(s)
a newspaper entry


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