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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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Fighter command
54 OTU Beaufighter IIF V8163 Fl/Sgt. Terence Cosson

Operation: Training

Date: 09th June 1943 (Wednesday)

Unit: No. 54 Operational Training Unit. 9 Group

Type: Beaufighter IIF

Serial: V8163

Code: YX-?

Base: RAF Charterhall, Berwickshire

Location: Leitholm, Berwickshire

Pilot: Fl/Sgt. Terence Cosson NZ/417024 RNZAF Age 23. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Took off at about 10:05 hrs but just 5 minutes later spun and burned out near Leitholm after the port engine failed.

A broken oil pipe caused by a heavy landing was thought to be the cause of the engine seizing.

Burial and personal details:

Fl/Sgt. Terence Cosson. Fogo Churchyard. Sec. E. Grave 6. Also remembered on the Howick and Pakuranga War Memorials and the Hall of Memories at Auckland War Museum. Born on the 05th December 1919 in Awanui. Worked as a process worker for Mason and Porter Ltd of Panmure, Auckland. Enlisted at Levin as a pilot under training on the 21st December 1941. With No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School on the 09th February 1942. Then with No. 1 Service Flying Training School on the 02nd May 1942. The pilot badge was awarded on the 27th of July 1942 and promoted to sergeant on the 17th of October 1942.

Embarked for England on the 23rd November 1942. Attached to Pilot Advanced Unit on the 04th March 1943. Joined 54 54 Operational Training Unit on the 18th of May 1943. He had gained 300 hours of solo flying experience. Son of George (died 30th September 1944, age 76) and Barbara Cosson (née Smith - died 20th April 1864, age 90), of Cockle Bay, Howick, Auckland, New Zealand

Fogo Churchyard: There are 16 CWGC war graves within the cemetery:

2 RCAF:- F.O. John Morros J/10253, F/O. Frank Ernest Larkman J/42709.

4 RAFVR:- Fl/Lt. Ernest Arthur Clough 147069, Fl/Lt. Michael John Dunn O'Leary DFC 77614, Sgt. Gilbert Douglas James Hanlon 1333983, F/O. John Owen Scott 151287.

2 RNZAF:- Fl/Sgt. Will Andrew NZ/415280, Fl/Sgt. Terence Cosson NZ/417024.

1 RNZNVR:- Petty Officer. Arthur Herbert Percy Archibald 3171

5 RAAF:- F/O. Gordon William Bigmore Aus/418047, F/O. Thomas James Donohugh Aus/411880, Sgt. Clarence Leonard Hutchesson Aus/401729, W/O. Hamilton Alexander Douglas Aus/405843, Fl/Sgt. Edward John Stacy Williams Aus/409952

2 RNVR:- Sub/LT (A). James Allen Luke, Sub/LT (A). Christopher Newburgh-Hutchins.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to the extensive research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Auckland Library Heritage Collection, Weekly News of New Zealand, Air Museum of New Zealand, Museum of Transport and Technology, Auckland, other sources as quoted below:

KTY 19-06-2022

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Acknowledgements
Sources used by us in compiling Archive Reports include: Bill Chorley - 'Bomber Command Losses Vols. 1-9, plus ongoing revisions', Dr. Theo E.W. Boiten and Mr. Roderick J. Mackenzie - 'Nightfighter War Diaries Vols. 1 and 2', Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt - 'Bomber Command War Diaries', Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Tom Kracker - Kracker Luftwaffe Archives, Michel Beckers, Major Fred Paradie (RCAF) and Captain François Dutil (RCAF) - Paradie Archive (on this site), Jean Schadskaje, Major Jack O'Connor USAF (Retd.), Robert Gretzyngier, Wojtek Matusiak, Waldemar Wójcik and Józef Zieliński - 'Ku Czci Połeglyçh Lotnikow 1939-1945', Andrew Mielnik: Archiwum - Polish Air Force Archive (on this site), Anna Krzystek, Tadeusz Krzystek - 'Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii', Franek Grabowski, Polish graves: https://niebieskaeskadra.pl/, PoW Museum Żagań, Norman L.R. Franks 'Fighter Command Losses', Stan D. Bishop, John A. Hey MBE, Gerrie Franken and Maco Cillessen - Losses of the US 8th and 9th Air Forces, Vols 1-6, Dr. Theo E.W. Boiton - Nachtjagd Combat Archives, Vols 1-13. Aircrew Remembered Databases and our own archives. We are grateful for the support and encouragement of CWGC, UK Imperial War Museum, Australian War Memorial, Australian National Archives, New Zealand National Archives, UK National Archives and Fold3 and countless dedicated friends and researchers across the world.
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