Operation: Training/delivery

Date: 21st June 1945 (Thursday)

Unit: No. 12 Ferry Unit

Type: Mosquito NF. XIX

Serial: TA282

Code: -

Base: RAF Melton Mowbray

Location: RAF Cranfield, Bedfordshire.

Pilot: W/O. George Gregory Kendall NZ/43484 RNZAF Age 20. Killed

Nav/Pax: LAC John Cavanagh Fairlie 990379 RAFVR Age 24. Killed

We would very much like to hear from relatives of the crew who maybe able to add additional information/photographs to make the remembrance page to them more personal.

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off at RAF Cranfield in Bedfordshire at about 11:49 hrs. With the pilot was a member of the ground crew as passenger. Some 6 minutes later carried out a low run over the airfield with 1 engine feathered, stalled off a turn and and crashed into four other aircraft operated by 51 operational training unit. Both crew killed.

We have since established the serial numbers of 3 of the 4 other destroyed Mosquitoes:

DZ260 NFII - HK253 NF. XVII - HK356 NF. XVII.

Burial details:

W/O. George Gregory Kendall. Cambridge City Cemetery. Grave 15909. Born 0n the 25th July 1925 at Takapau. Worked as a farm hand on his fathers farm at Aukopae prior to service. Enlisted at Ommaka on the 08th January 1943. Trained at No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School on 29th May 1943. On the 22nd July 1943 attached to No. 1 Service Flying Training School. Pilots badge awarded om the 27th September 1943and promoted to sergeant on the 20th November 1943.

Embarked for England on the 03rd January 1943After swelling in various units further trying at 51 Operational Training Unit joining on the 09th January 1945. Finally joining 12 Ferry Unit in May 1945.

Son of William Hillary Kendall (died 14th June 1963, age 65) and Rosalie McGregor Kendall (nee Cameron - died 07th March 1983, age 79), of Palmerston North, Wellington, New Zealand. Note that on his enlistment papers he had listed his birth year as 1924! A total of 392 flying hours logged.

LAC John Cavanagh Fairlie. Kempston Cemetery. Block J. Grave 103. Also remembered on the War Memorial, Menstrie, Clackmannanshire, Scotland. Son of John and Teresa Fairlie, husband of Doreen Deborah Fairlie, of Hornsey, Middlesex, England.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Aircrew Remembered own Archives. Colin Cummings - 'The Price Of Peace'. Errol Martyn - For Your Tomorrow Vol’s 1-3.