Operation: Night patrol

Date: 27th August 1940 (Tuesday)

Time: 01.00 hrs.

Unit: No.1 Squadron RAF (Northolt)

Type: Hawker Hurricane Mk.I

Serial: P3897

Code: JX-?

Base: RAF Northolt

Location: In small wood (Monkton Fir Plantation) at Speen, Buckinghamshire.

Pilot: P/O. Charles Arthur Copeland Chetham 82946 RAF Age 20. Baled out safely

REASON FOR LOSS:

This aircraft was held by searchlights and pilot lost control. The abandoned aircraft dived into a small wood and was totally destroyed.

P/O. Chetham baled out unhurt and landed at Amersham, Buckinghamshire.

P/O. Chetham on right with Canadian Fl/Lt. Brown at RAF Northolt (courtesy IWM)

Sadly P/O. Chetham was killed on the 15th April 1941, shot down by Me109s over Larissa, Greece, whilst serving with 33 Squadron in Greece. His commanding Officer during this period was Sq/Ldr. Pat Pattle a RAF ace, also killed in action a few days later on the 20th April 1941.

Above: as described (courtesy Rob/Fulham Rocks - used with permission)

P/O. Charles Arthur Copeland Chetham. Phaleron War Cemetery, Greece. Grave 4.C.15. Son of Samuel Fisher Copeland Chetham and Dorothy Kate Chetham, of St. Bernards, Wolborough Hill, Newton Abbott, Devon. Also commemorated on the Newton Abbot War Memorial.

Above left: An early portrait of P/O. Chetham and right: His father, Special Constable Samuel F.C. Chetham (courtesy Anne Kendall and family)

His father, Samuel Fisher Copeland Chetham, a civilian special constable was injured at the Berwyn Hotel on the 25th April 1942 during an air raid in which 4 others were also killed, he died later that day at Newton Abbot Hospital, age 63.

With thanks to Anne Kendall who contacted us in April 2014 advising us of some incorrect details on the father of P/O. Chetham - since changed. Her father (Charles Ewart Tremenheere Chetham 122982 RAFVR), was a cousin of the pilot (shown left) and also served. Won the DFC whilst serving with 97 'Pathfinder' Squadron. He survived the war and we now have details on his service. 'Fighter Command Losses' - Norman Franks. CWGC, the IWM. With additional details from Aircrew Remembered own archives.