Operation: Training

Date: 09th April 1943 (Friday)

Unit: No. 195 Squadron (motto: Velocitate Fortis - 'Strong by speed').

Type: Typhoon Ib

Serial: DN424

Code: JE-?

Base: RAF Woodvale, Formy, Merseyside

Location: New Lane Station, Burscough

Pilot: Fl/Sgt. Walter Alexander Dixon R/109932 RCAF Age 24. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

The pilot was carrying out very low flying along a railway line immedIately prior to the incident. He was too low to have been carrying out cine gun attacks on ground targets.

Inspection of engine gave no indication that engine failure. had occurred the large area over which the wreckage was scattered indicated that the aircraft was flying at considerable speed when collision with the signal took place, the engine being found approx. 600 yards from the remainder of the fuselage. Testimonies of eyewitnesses verify that the engine we functioning normally at the time of the collision. Had the signal not been in the upright position the aircraft would not have collided.

The report of the incident:

'This is a clear case of a pilot killing himself as a result of unauthorised low flying'.

Burial details:

Buried on the 11th of April 1943.

Fl/Sgt. Walter Alexander Dixon. Formby Churchyard (St. Peter). Sec. F. Grave 88. Born on the 14th of January 1919 in Toronto. Educated at Detroit Business University. Worked as a clerk for Backstry Standard Ltd. in Windsor, Ontario. Enlisted on the 04th August 1941. St Initial Training School for three months. With No. 17 Elementary Flying Training School. Awarded his Pilot's wings at No. 8 Service Flying Training School, Moncton, on the 19th of June 1942.

Embarked for England in October 1942 and arrived on the 04th November 1942. Trained with 55 Operational Training Unit graduating on the 24th November 1942. Joined 195 squadron on the 28th of December 1942. Fractured his ankle on the 11th of January 1943 and was on sick leave for some three months.

Son of Thomas Russell Dixon (died 1965, age 72) and Ellen Jane Dixon (née McKay - died 1975, age 80), of Markdale, Ontario, Canada. Epitaph: 'He Sleeps So Far From Canada, His Native Land'.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to the National Archive Kew, Paradie RCAF Archives, The Typhoon Project

Pages relating to 1943
RCAF Losses

Other sources as quoted below:

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