Operation: Training

Date: 05th June 1944 (Monday)

Unit: No. 489 Squadron. 16 Group. (motto: Whakatanagata kia kaha - 'Acquit yourselves like men, be strong')

Type: Beaufighter TF.X

Serial: LZ435

Code: P6-?

Base: RAF Langham, Norfolk

Location: At base

Pilot: Sq/Ldr. Stanley William Kellow DFC. 89825 RAFVR Age 31. Killed (1)

Pilot U/T: F/O. Douglas Launcelot Blackmore Chapman NZ/414958 RNZAF Age 24. Killed

Nav: F/O. Sidney Freeman 152321 RAFVR Age 24. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off at 11:35 hrs on dual pilot training and a bombing demonstration exercise.

About 1000 yards from touch down point the Beaufighter was seen to wobble slightly then turn to port. Whereupon the port wing dropped and aircraft turned over on to its back and crashed nose first into the ground at 12:05 hrs. All three crew killed.

(updated information courtesy Errol Martyn - see credits)

Above: F/O. Douglas Chapman (courtesy relatives - see credits)

(1)) DFC citation for Sq/Ldr. Kellow - 02nd April 1942:

"This officer has participated in several successful attacks on shipping. In January, 1944, he led a formation of aircraft in an attack on a convoy. In spite of heavy opposition, the attack was successfully pressed home. In a recent.attack on shipping, Sq/Ldr. Kellow obtained a hit on a medium sized merchant vessel. This officer has displayed leadership, skill and courage of a high standard".

Burial details:

Sq/Ldr. Stanley William Kellow DFC. Glandford Churchyard (St. Martin). From Glandford, Norfolk, England. No further details - are you able to assist?

F/O. Douglas Launcelot Blackmore Chapman. Cambridge City Cemetery. Grave 13507. Born on the 09th July 1919 at Dunedin, the son of Walter Charles and Margaret Chapman (née Hull), of 306 Pages Road, Aranui, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand. Worked as a warehouseman for Wood Brothers flour millers prior to service. A total of 934 flying hours logged.

F/O. Sidney Freeman. Enfield Cemetery (Adath Yisroel). Sec. D. Row 8. Grave 28. Son of Harris and Millicent Freeman, of Stamford Hill, London, England.

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”, Jim Sunderland and Bridget (relatives) for photographs of F/O. Douglas Chapman, Auckland War Memorial Museum, Weekly News of New Zealand, other sources as quoted below:

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