Operation: Training
Date: 04th October 1942 (Sunday)
Unit: No. 539 Squadron (13 Group)
Type: Hurricane IIc
Serial: BN205
Code: Not issued
Base: RAF Acklington, Northumberland
Location: Playing fields, Burscough, Lancashire
Pilot: Sgt. 'Roy' Robert Clive Timewell 656496 RAF Age 24. Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
Taking off from RAF Acklington in Northumberland at 15:25 hrs to carry out low flying and acrobatic training.
It is is not why but he crashed into a plain field in his home town - some reports state that he was 'providing a show' to his family at the time.
He was killed instantly. On the same day another pilot from the Squadron, 27 year old Fl/Sgt. Bernard Williams also lost his life when his Hurricane IIc crashed near Gilsland in Northumberland, England.
Squadron ORB for this day:
'04.10.1942: Weather was rather unsettled and no night flying took place. The Hurricanes did low flying and practice. This was a black day for the Squadron, as two Hurricanes crashed with fatal results to the pilots. Sgt. Timewell and Fl/Sgt Williams. Both pilots took off at 15:25 hrs to do practice acrobatics'.
Burial details:
Sgt. Robert Clive Timewell. Burscough Bridge Churchyard, Ormskirk (St. John The Baptist). Sec. E. Grave 2039. Son of Robert and Ethel Timewell of the Royal Hotel, Liverpool Road, Burscough, Ormskirk, Lancashire, England.
Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to sources as quoted below:
