An aircraft collided with some trees and crashed at Woodhouse Farm, Ipsden at 4-30 pm on 20 October 1943. The site is adjacent to Grim’s Ditch, north of Hailey.
The pilot was a cousin of mine and I thought that I would get down on paper, mainly for my grandchildren, what I knew about him (before it was too late !). He and I went to the same school.
The aircraft was a Short Stirling Mk III ' WP-L' of 90 Squadron based at RAF Tuddenham, Suffolk.
The aircraft had been struck by lightning a few days before, whilst on a mine laying operation, and had to return, damaged, to base. The aircraft then crashed whilst on an Air Test, presumably after repairs. I guess it may have been in difficulties and may have been trying to land at RAF Benson - or maybe it was taking off from Benson.
The crew of seven young men were all killed, three of them being from the...