AR banner
Search Tips Advanced Search
Back to Top

Info LogoAdd to or correct this story with a few clicks.
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.
Check our Research databases: Database List

.

We seek additional information and photographs. Please contact us via the Helpdesk.

fighter command crest
05th October 1941 53 Operational Training Unit Spitfire I P9445 Sgt. Hiddleston

Operation: Training

Date: 05th October 1941 (Sunday)

Unit: No. 53 Operational Training Unit. 81 Group

Type: Spitfire I

Serial: P9445

Code:

Base: RAF Llandow, Glamorgan

Location: Bristol Channel

Pilot: Sgt. Travis Arnold Hutton Hiddleston Aus/400713 RAAF Age 23. Missing - believed killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking of at 15:05 hrs with two others on a formation flying exercise.

At 15:25 hrs whilst changing formation P9445 collided with K9817 flown by 22 year old, Sgt. Cyril Brennan Aus/404771 RAAF. Eye witness statements say that they saw 3 aircraft flying high and were circling. One of the aircraft dived into the channel and explode. his body was never recovered.

The auxiliary coastguard Mr. John Sim at Dunraven Castle, Southerndown called the Bridgend Police after he also saw pieces falling down. A part of the undercarriage was found on the sand which he handed over.

The Spitfire hit the water about 300 yards off Southerndown, Glamorgan. Sgt. Brennan called 'A' light control and reported to Fl/Lt. Peter Brett that his aircraft had suffered damage to his port aileron and awaited instructions. He was ordered to land which he did. On inspection Fl/Lt. Brett noticed the blades of the Spitfire's airscrew had bent with the tips sheared off. The aircraft was repaired by Vickers at the airbase and returned to service.

Sgt. Cyril Brennan was uninjured during this mid-air collision but sadly lost his life on the 25th June 1942 in Spitfire BM536. Further information here.

Burial details:

Sgt. Travis Arnold Hutton Hiddleston. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 62. Born on the 21st September 1918 at Mosgiel, New Zealand. Worked as a pattern weaver prior to enlistment for Federal Woollen Company prior to enlisting on the 13th October 1940 at Melbourne, Australia. Son of Thomas Hutton Stanley Hiddleston, and of Martha Hiddleston, of 24 Grandview Grove Geelong, Victoria, Australia. 175 Flying hours logged with 37 of these on the Spitfire.

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, NAA, other sources as quoted below:

KTY 28-01-2021

Pages of Outstanding Interest
History Airborne Forces •  Soviet Night Witches •  Bomber Command Memories •  Abbreviations •  Gardening Codenames
CWGC: Your Relative's Grave Explained •  USA Flygirls •  Axis Awards Descriptions •  'Lack Of Moral Fibre'
Concept of Colonial Discrimination  •  Unauthorised First Long Range Mustang Attack
RAAF Bomb Aimer Evades with Maquis •  SOE Heroine Nancy Wake •  Fane: Motor Racing PRU Legend
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 MWO 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', Archiwum - Polish Air Force Archive (on this site), Anna Krzystek, Tadeusz Krzystek - 'Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii', Franek Grabowski, 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.
Click any image to enlarge it

Click to add your info via ticket on Helpdesk •Click to let us know via ticket on Helpdesk• Click to buy research books from Amazon •Click to explore the entire site
If you would like to comment on this page, please do so via our Helpdesk. Use the Submit a Ticket option to send your comments. After review, our Editors will publish your comment below with your first name, but not your email address.

A word from the Editor: your contribution is important. We welcome your comments and information. Thanks in advance.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
All site material (except as noted elsewhere) is owned or managed by Aircrew Remembered and should not be used without prior permission.
© Aircrew Remembered 2012 - 2023
Last Modified: 02 April 2021, 15:28

Monitor Additions/Changes?Click to be informed of changes to this page. Create account for first monitor only, thereafter very fast. Click to close without creating monitor