Operation: Training
Date: 10th February 1941 (Monday)
Unit: No. 1 School of Army Co-operation (70 Group)
Type: Lysander II
Serial: L4778
Code: Not known
Base: RAF Old Sarum, Wiltshire
Location: Between Dinton and Tisbury Railway stations
Pilot: P/O. Eric Lunøe 89385 RAFVR Age 21. Killed
Air/Gnr: Sgt. Trevor Norman Bassett NZ/401719 RNZAF Age 21. Injured
REASON FOR LOSS:
During a tactical reconnaissance training exercise the Lysander flew low along a railway line and struck telegraph wires before diving towards a train. A wing tip struck the tender with the Lysander crashing some 400 yards further along in a field.
The pilot, of Danish parents was killed instantly. Sgt Bassett was taken to the Tower House Emergency Hospital at Salisbury where he died later the same day of injuries received.
Burial details:
P/O. Eric Lunøe. South London Crematorium, Mitcham. Panel 27. Son of Christian Frederik Lunøe, and of Vilhelmine Mathilde Lunøe (née Madsen), of King's Langley, Hertfordshire, England. It seems that the family were also to lose other sons during service. Two of them repatriated to Denmark - post war. Ivar Lunøe on Friday the 24th July 1942 at just 19 and Torben Lunøe killed on Thursday the 29th July 1948. (Sadly we have no further details of these two)
Sgt. Trevor Norman Bassett. Salisbury Cemetery (London Road) Sec. M. Grave 371. Son of A. A. Bassett and Martha Mavina Bassett (née Patterson), of Blockhouse Bay, Auckland, New Zealand. Educated at Seddon Memorial Technical College. Champion athlete in sprints and cycling. 23 flying hours logged.
Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to the research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, RAF Commands Forum, Auckland Cenotaph, Weekly News of New Zealand, other sources as quoted below:
