Operation: Training

Date: 19th September 1941 (Friday)

Unit: No. 9 Service Flying Training School. 23 Group

Type: Master I

Serial: T8376

Code: -

Base: RAF Hullavington, Wiltshire

Location: Kingston St Michael

Pilot: Sgt. Joseph Fyvie NZ/403439 RNZAF Age 25. Killed

Pilot: F/O. Martin Francis Scragg 70612 RAFVR Age 24. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off in the afternoon on an instrument approach exercise with F/O. Scragg acting as safety officer.

When the aircraft was seen at about 1500 feet in the beginning of a spin. Control appears to have been regained at about 500 feet but the aircraft was then in a vertical dive from which it did not recover.

The aircraft crashed in the middle of a field at Priory Farm, Kington St. Michael at around mid afternoon. A local farmer and his son, Bill Isaacs, of Manor Farm were attracted by the loud noise, quickly went to investigate and found the damaged aircraft with the two crew still inside. Even though the aircraft did not catch fire or break up there was nothing to be done for the occupants.

Investigating officer stated:

'The accident was due to collision with the ground following an involuntary spin from which partial control was regained too late. That the cause of the accident is controversial, but possibly due to an error of judgement when changing over from hooded to visual flight'.

Burial and personal details:

Sgt. Joseph Fyvie. London Road Cemetery. Sec. 1. Row H. Grave 11. Born on the 12th July 1916 in Scotland, moving to New Zealand at an early age. Worked as a clerk for R and W Holly Ltd at Auckland prior to service. Enlisted on the 29th September 1940 at Levin. After completing ground training at Levin on the 26th October 1940 promoted to Leading Aircraftsman. Trained at No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School joining on the 26th October and then to No. 3 Flying Training School joining on the 20th December 1940. Pilots badge awarded on the 10th February 1941 and promoted to sergeant on the 22nd March 1941. Embarked for England on the 29th April 1941. Further training on the Master at No. 9 Service Flying Training School. Son of Joseph Hall Fyvie (died 06th November 1973, age 71) and of Jean Fyvie (nee Clark - died 04th October 1972). Husband of Charlotte May Fyvie (nee Doel - died 19th September 2004), of Epsom, Auckland City, New Zealand. Her brother 25 year old, Fl/Lt. Alfred William Doel NZ/39907 RNZAF was listed as missing - believed killed on the 12th June 1943 flying Lancaster III DV157 PH-Z along with 5 other crew members, 1 survived as a PoW. A total of 208 flying hours logged.

F/O. Martin Francis Scragg. Bedford Cemetery, Bedfordshire. Sec. I. Grave 555. From St. Albans, Bedfordshire. His brother, Fl/Sgt. Alban Frederick Scragg 511845 RAF was listed as missing - believed killed on the 30th November 1940 whilst with 502 squadron. Whitley V T4219 YG-P on an anti-submarine patrol, all 5 crew lost. No further information, are you able to contribute?

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, Weekly News of New Zealand, other sources as quoted below:

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