Operation: Training

Date: 21st August 1944 (Monday)

Unit No: 14 (Pilot) Advanced Flying Unit, 21 Group, Training Command

Type: Oxford I

Serial: ED266

Code: None

Base: RAF Banff, Banffshire, Scotland

Location: Mains of Paithnick, Banffshire, Scotland

Pilot: Fg Off. James Law 161729 RAFVR Age 29. Killed

Above: Fg Off. James Law (Courtesy of Paul Markham)

REASON FOR LOSS:

On the 21st August 1942 Fg Off. Law took-off from RAF Banff at 14:25 hrs on a general flying practice in company with another Oxford from the same unit.

Some 25 minutes later while Fg Off. Haynes flying Oxford I V4082 was pulling out of a dummy diving attack on a formation of aircraft over the Mains of Paithnick, his aircraft collided with the Oxford flown by Fg Off. Law resulting in both aircraft crashing and killing both pilots.

At the wild age of 15 James Law was reputed to have shared the heart of many a Lancashire lassie. He was a master butcher both by nature and profession. After enlisting in the RAF he trained under the Arnold Scheme with Darr-Aero-Tech at Albany, Georgia. He soloed after 9 hrs 23 mins dual training.

Burial details:

Above: Bacup Cemetery (Courtesy of the CWGC)

Fg Off. James Law. Bacup Cemetery (Fairwell), Sec. G. Cons. Grave 95. Born on the 22nd August 1915 in Haslington, Lancashire. Son of James William and Sarah (née Heyworth) Law of Bacup. Husband of Jean Law of Backup, Rossendale, Lancashire, England.

Researched by Ralph Snape for Aircrew Remembered and dedicated to this pilot and his family with thanks to Paul Markham for the information and image (Aug 2026).

Other Sources listed below:

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