Operation: Training

Date: 19th February 1943 (Friday)

Unit: No. 62 Operational Training Unit. 81 Group

Type: Anson I

Serial: L7908

Code: -

Base: RAF Usworth, Durham

Location: North East of base

Pilot: Sgt. Alistar Cameron Dunlop NZ/411607 RNZAF Age 23. Killed

Sgt Donald Kenneth Upperton 960486 RAFVR Age 22. Killed

Sgt. Frank Wickenden 1321316 RAFVR Age 27. Killed

Sgt. John Ramsden Smith 1459381 RAFVR Age 29. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

62 OTU was formed by a need to improve on the training of Observers - Radar operators, using Ansons equipped with AI Mk IV. 62 OTU aircraft were operated in pairs with one acting as the target for the other for 1½ hours before swapping roles for a further 1½ hours.

Whilst flying at 5,000 ft collided head on with another Anson from the unit. Anson DJ686 flown by 21 year old, Sgt. Charles Davidson and L7908 crashed 3miles North East of RAF Usworth at 09:07 hrs. All eight crew members from both aircraft lost their lives.

Burial details:

Sgt. Alistar Cameron Dunlop. Hylton Cemetery (Castletown). Sec. D. Row 2. Grave 767. Born on the 18th September 1919 at Hawera. A labourer prior to enlisting in New Plymouth on the 10th March 1941. Awarded his pilots badge and promoted to sergeant on the 14th August 1942. Son of Oswald Dunlop and of Mildred Dunlop (née Muggeridge), of Hawera, Taranaki, New Zealand. 404 flying hours logged with 56 solo on the Anson.

Sgt. Donald Kenneth Upperton. South Benfleet Churchyard (St. Mary). Grave 57X. Son of Albert Edward Upperton, and of Marguerite Ellen Upperton, of Leigh-on-Sea. Grave inscription: 'At The Going Down Of The Sun And In The Morning We Will Remember Them'.

Sgt. Frank Wickenden. Hylton Cemetery (Castletown). Sec. D. Row 2. Grave 768. Son of George and Mabel Ellen Wickenden and husband of Laura Rose Wickenden, of Somerton, Somerset. Grave inscription: 'They Shall Grow Not Old, As We That Are Left Grow Old: Age Shall Not Weary Them, Nor The Years Condemn'.

Sgt. John Ramsden Smith. Guiseley Cemetery. Sec. B. Grave 80. Son of Reuben and Sarah Ellen Smith, of Guiseley. Grave inscription: 'It Is Not The Length Of Time They Live But What They Achieve'.

Anson DJ686 crew:

Sgt Charles Davidson 1488428 RAFVR Age 21. Liverpool Cemetery (Allerton). Sec. 2E. C. of E. Grave 110. Son of John Carr Davidson and Jessie Davidson, of Liverpool and husband of Edna May Davidson, of Liverpool. Grave inscription: 'He Fought The Fight The Victory Won Then Came To Thee. 'Thy Will Be Done'.

Sgt Ian Duncan McDonald 1339719 RAFVR Age 21. Hylton Cemetery (Castletown) . Sec. D. Row 2. Grave 766. Son of James Stenson McDonald and Jessie McDonald, of Kampala, Uganda.

P/O. Arthur Joseph Kelly 136917 RAFVR Age 19. Chandlers Ford Cemetery (Pine Road) . Sec. B. Grave 31. Son of Arthur H. Kelly and Florence M. Kelly, of Chandlers Ford. Grave inscription: 'Until The Day Break And The Shadows Flee Away'.

P/O. George Miller Johnston 136916 RAFVR Age 40. Edinburgh cemetery(Dean or Western). Sec. 7. Grave 569. Son of George and Esther Johnston and husband of Elizabeth Carstairs Johnston, of Benton, Northumberland.

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

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
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