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Operation: Training
Date: 07th December 1942 (Monday)
Unit: No. 2 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit. 17 Group
Type: Beaufighter VIC
Serial: T5317
Code: -
Base: RAF Catfoss, Yorkshire
Location: Bridlington Road, Hunmanby, Yorkshire
Pilot: Sgt. Ian John Land NZ/414306 RNZAF Age 21. Killed
Obs: Sgt. William Ronald Evans 1319211 RAFVR Age 20. Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
Taking off at 08:52 hrs. on a visual homing and DTC exercise.
Just 8 minutes later the aircraft spun in out of cloud from about 1,000 ft and crashed at location shown killing both the young crew.
As no evidence that the aircraft was faulty, it is thought that the pilot had simply lost control while flying in thick cloud and was unable to recover in the height available.
Burial and personal details:
Sgt. Ian John Land. Brandesburton Churchyard( St Mary) . RAF Sec. Grave 24. Born on the 26th October 1921 at Hastings. Served 2 years in the territorial army. Enlisted at Levin on the 26th July 1941. Trained at No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School joining on the 06th September 1941. Attached to No. 2 Flying Training School joining on the 08th November 1941. Awarded pilots badge on the 20th December 1941 and then promoted to sergeant on the 31st January 1942. Embarked for England on the 22nd February 1942. After further advanced flying training units joined 2 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit on the 03rd November 1942. Son of Simeon Johnston Land (died 27th August 1954, age 59 - a former trooper in the Otago Mounted Rifles) and Mona Winifred Land (nee Cunningham - died 05th July 1971, age 75. a former sister in the army nursing service) of Havelock North, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. A total of 287 flying hours logged with 165 hours solo and 20 on the Beaufighter.
Sgt. William Ronald Evans. Woodford Bridge Churchyard (St. Paul). West of church. A member of the Home Guard before enlisting. Son of the late Mr. (died 1932) and Mrs. (died 1943) D. Evans, Woodford Bridge, Woodford, London. Formerly of Pontypridd, South Wales.
Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to Adrian Lee for details on Sgt. Evans, Yorkshire Aircraft, 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:
KTY 23-08-2021
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Last Modified: 23 August 2021, 21:04