Operation: Training

Date: 27th August 1941 (Wednesday)

Unit: No. 256 Squadron (9 Group)

Type: Defiant I

Serial: N1745

Code: JT-O

Base: RAF Squires Gate

Location: Blackpool, Lancashire

Pilot: Sgt. Lincoln John Ellmers NZ/40760 RNZAF Age 24. Killed

Air/Gnr: Sgt. Noel Anthony John Clifford NZ/402166 RNZAF Age 23. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Whilst flying off the coast of Blackpool the Defiant collided with Botha L6509 from the General Reconnaissance School. The pilot of the Defiant was killed when the aircraft crashed onto a house at 97 Reads Avenue in Blackpool. The air-gunner baled out of the aircraft but was killed when his parachute failed to deploy fully as he was too low.

The three crew of the Botha were killed when it crashed into Blackpool railway station. Sadly many civilians (thought to be at least 14) also lost their lives either in the initial impact or from injuries later.

Above L-R: Sgt. Noel Clifford, Sgt. Lincoln Ellmers, P/O. Athol McKinnon (1), Sgt. Reginald Robinson (2), Sgt. Erle Fremlin (3). (courtesy Paul Broderick)

We recommend visiting the Lancashire Aircraft Investigation Team website who covered the loss of lives associated with this page in far greater detail.

(1) P/O. Athol Charles McKinnon NZ/40772 RNZAF Age 24 when he was killed whilst serving with 488 Squadron on the 06th December 1942. Beaufighter IIF V8162. See here for further details.

(2) Sgt. Reginald Lee Robinson NZ/40211 RNZAF Age 24 when he was killed whilst serving with 256 Squadron on the 16th April 1941. During a bomber raid on London he was one of 1,180 people killed in the city on this night.

(3) Sgt. Erle Rutherford Fremlin NZ/402108 RNZAF Age 19 when he was killed on the 15th May 1941 whilst serving with 256 Squadron. See here for further details.

Burial details:

Both buried on Monday the 01st September 1941.

Sgt. Lincoln John Ellmers. Lytham St. Anne's Cemetery (Park) Sec. D. Nonconformist. Grave 725. Son of Frederick and Mabel Ellmers, of Gisborne, Auckland, New Zealand. A total 405 flying hours logged and having completed 15 operational sorties.

Sgt. Noel Anthony John Clifford. Lytham St. Anne's Cemetery (Park) Sec. D. R.C. Grave 514. Son of Denis C. Clifford and Margaret Ellen Clifford, of Wellington City, New Zealand. A total 149 flying hours logged.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to the research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Auckland War Memorial Museum, Weekly News of New Zealand, Lancashire Aircraft InvestigationTeam, 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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