Archive Report: Allied Forces

Compiled from official National Archive and Service sources, contemporary press reports, personal logbooks, diaries and correspondence, reference books, other sources, and interviews.
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14.10.1950 No 500 Squadron Meteor F3 EE290 Sgt. Edward W.G. Chipperfield

Operation: Exercise Emperor

Date: 14th October 1950 (Saturday)

Unit: No. 500 Squadron

Type: Meteor F3

Serial: EE290

Code: Not Known

Base: RAF Thorney Island

Location: Chichester Harbour - mud flats.

Pilot: Sgt. Edward William George Chipperfield RAF (Auxiliary) Age 30. Killed

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A memorial is currently being planned for losses in this area of aircrew, from WWII and since, both Allied and Axis forces. Contact us for further information as the organisers, led by Robert Godwin, are trying to raise funds to finance this.

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REASON FOR LOSS:

During Exercise Emperor - the largest post-war exercise involving units from both fighter and Bomber Command held between the 7th and 15th October 1950. In addition at the weekend units from the Auxiliary units would take part. (11 of the squadrons taking part were flying the new Meteors and Vampires) USAF units also taking part with B-50s Superfortress.

The exercise cost the lives of some 14 aircrew, 2 crews totalling 8 servicemen lost their lives in a mid-air collision between 2 Wellingtons LP846 and RP388 over Swinderby airfield. Another incident also involving a Wellington RP320 collided with a Belgian Air Force Mosquito MB-18, 5 killed from the Wellington and the 2 Belgian crew missing when they crashed into the sea 2 miles from Reculver, Kent. The wreckage of the Mosquito was recovered but the search for the crew eventually abandoned.

Another Meteor was also involved in another mid air collision. Some 10 Meteors were flying in formation, Sgt. Chipperfield collided with another Meteor EE283 which landed safely with no injuries to the pilot. Sgt. Edward Chipperfield attempted to crash land on the mud flats within Chichester harbour but the aircraft struck a submerged object resulting in the break up of his Meteor, killing the pilot.

Burial details:

Sgt. Edward William George Chipperfield. Son of Edward William and Elsie Eliza Chipperfield of Belvedere, Kent, England. Husband of Vera Evelyn Lena Chipperfield (née Lane) of 118 Parsonage Manor Way, Belvedere, Kent, England. (Father served as a 2nd Lt. in Royal Field Artillery in WW1) Funeral service held at All Saints Church, Belverdere on Saturday 21st October and afterwards at the Croydon Crematorium.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to Robert Godwin. Also to the nephew of the pilot, Martin Chipperfield who contacted us in August 2017, sending his photographs and newspaper cuttings. Other sources as quoted below:

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