Operation: Transit flight
Date: 18th October 1941 (Saturday)
Unit: No. 402 Squadron (motto: We stand on guard 'We stand on guard')
Type: Miles Magister I
Serial: N3934
Code: AE-?
Base: RAF Kenley, south London
Location: Friston, East Sussex
Pilot: Sgt. George McClusky MiD. R/71726 RCAF Age 22. Critically injured
PX: Captain Donald Robert McNabb Canadian Army Dental Corps Age 31. Critically injured
REASON FOR LOSS:
Sgt. McClusky was authorised to pilot Captain McNabb to Friston and return on the 17th October. The reason for the trip was to pick up belongings of Captain McNabb who had recently been posted the 402 squadron.
The return flight could not be made the same day due to weather conditions and Kenley were advised.
The following day the pilot requested permission from Kenley for permission to take off after he had assured them that weather was OK (Despite a 50 mph gale).
N3934 took off into the wind at 09:25 hrs. Several eye witnesses state they saw the aircraft rose to about 150 ft when the pilot began a turn the aircraft immediately flipped over and dived in as it commenced to spin.
The aircraft crashed about 30 yards outside the perimeter of the airfield.
Both were rushed to Princess Alice hospital in Eastbourne, but sadly Captain McNabb died at 09:55 hrs with Sgt. McClusky dying of his injuries at 14:00 hrs.
The inquest held at Eastbourne on the 22nd October 1941 recorded a verdict of accidental death.
Burial details:
Sgt. George McClusky. MiD. Southend-On-Sea Cemetery (Sutton Road). Plot R. Grave 12136. Born on the 07th June 1919 at Bracebridge, Ontario. Enlisted on the 20th August 1940 Toronto, Ontario. Son of John A. McClusky and of Jessie McClusky (nee Terry) brother of Carl and John, of 56 Prospect Street, Kirkland Lake, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Credited with an Me109 on the 18th September 1941.
Captain Donald Robert McNabb. Brookwood Military Cemetery. 31. J. 5. Born on the 17th February 1910 in Medicine Hat, Alberta. Enlisted 20th October 1939 at Edmonton. Graduate of the University of Alberta School of Dentistry. Arrived in England on the 20th June 1940. Son of Robert John and Christina McNabb, of 1276th Avenue, South Lethbridgc, Alberta, Canada. (Doctor of Dental Surgery degree).
Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to, Sussex History Forum, Operation Picture Me, other sources as quoted below:
KTY 16-06-2021
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember
them. - Laurence
Binyon
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