Archive Report: Allied Forces

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07.08.1944 No. 409 Squadron Mosquito FXIII MM587 Sq/Ldr. M.W. Beveridge DFC

Operation: Patrol

Date: 07th August 1944 (Monday)

Unit: No. 409 Squadron (Nighthawk - RCAF)

Type: Mosquito NFXIII

Serial: MM587

Base: RAF Hunsdon, Hertfordshire

Location: Near Bayeux, Calvados, France

Pilot: Sq/Ldr. Massey Williamson Beveridge DFC. J/15070 RCAF Age 28. Baled out OK

Nav: Fl/Lt. John Williamson Peacock MiD. C/7971 RCAF Age 24. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

During a patrol they attacked a Ju88 which was on a patrol accompanied by a Fw109 which in turn shot this Mosquito down. The crew both were forced to abandon the aircraft. Sq/Ldr. Beverage became stuck in the pilot’s escape hatch, Fl/Lt. Peacock was unable to jettison the navigator's door - he then pushed out his pilot who managed to open his parachute just before he hit the ground, saving him. The navigator was killed in the crash.

Above left: Sq/Ldr. Beveridge DFC Extreme right Fl/Lt. Peacock MiD(courtesy Kit Kennard)

The C/O. of 409 Squadron, Sq/Ldr. Beverage was on a search mission on September 20th 1944, for one of his crews that had baled out following a night fighter attack. Sadly he was killed when his Mosquito, MM586 spun in when it stalled in cloud near Flavacourt, France. That crew, Fl/Lt. Jim Leslie and Fl/Lt. Chuck M. Thurgood (shown below) had baled out safely and were already on their way back to the squadron.

Above: Fl/Lt. Jim Leslie and Fl/Lt. Chuck M. Thurgood (courtesy Kit Kennard)

Burial details:

Sqd/Ldr. Massey Williamson Beveridge DFC. Flavacourt Churchyard (left). Son of James Brookes Beveridge and Nancy Beveridge, brother to Capt. J. William Beverage of the Black Watch, Gnr. Donald D. Beveridge, Lt. John B. Beveridge of the Dragoon Guards (killed December 1941) Miss Betty Beveridge of 3241 Cedar Avenue, Westmount, Province of Quebec, Canada.

Enlisted April 1940. His DFC states: 'Sqd/Ldr. Beveridge is a most efficient flight commander who has set a fine example of devotion to duty.'

Flt/Lt. John Williamson Peacock MiD. Beny-Sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery.(right)

Grave XVI.C.1. Son of Frederick A. and Florence Isabel Peacock, of Westmount, Province of Quebec, Canada. Enlisted Montreal on the 19th April 1941. MiD. Awarded 14th January 1944: This officer is the Navigator Radio Leader of the Squadron. Through his efforts, skill and determination he is mainly responsible for the high degree of efficiency in the A.I. work being carried out by this squadron. A well above average Navigator/Radio. During the course of operations he has assisted his pilot in destroying an enemy aircraft.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to Kit Kennard. Commonwealth War Graves Commission.' Aircrew Remembered own Archives. Fred Paradie - 'Paradie Archive'.

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