Archive Report: Allied Forces

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No. 42 O.T.U. No 15 A.F.U. Whitley Z9134 - Oxford V3905 Tragedy

Operation: Training

Date: 13th November 1942 (Friday)

Unit: 42 Operational Training Unit / 15 Advanced Flying Unit

Type: Whitley V / Oxford AS10 II

Serial: Whitley - Z9134 / Oxford - V3905

Base: 42 Operational Training Unit / 15 Advanced Flying Unit - Acaster Malbis

Location: Hougham, Lincolnshire

Pilot: Whitley: P/O. Trevor Mason 125543 RAFVR Age 20. Killed

Pilot: Oxford: Sgt. Alfred James Stone 1314877 RAFVR Age 26. Killed

Obs: Whitley: Sgt. Bernard Bamford 929138 RAFVR Age 25. Killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Whitley: Sgt. Frederick William James Allfrey 1266971 RAFVR Age 21. Killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Whitley: Sgt. John Mallett 1292768 RAFVR Age 22. Killed

Air/Gnr: Whitley: Sgt. Richard Owen Parker 1338690 RAFVR Age 20. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Very little has been written regarding this accident and the research undergone by Neil Cartman is to be commended. If anyone has any further information we would be delighted to hear from you.

Whitley Z9134 was on a training exercise from Ashbourne when it was struck in the rear by a 15 A.F.U. Anson V3905 piloted by Sgt Alfred Stone. It is thought that he was alone in this aircraft. Both aircraft crashed out of control and caught fire.

The accident occurred when they were flying at 300 ft at 12:00 hrs on the 13th November. Both aircraft crashed at Hougham, which is 4 miles north, north west of Grantham. (Some publications have the accident recorded as 19th November - the same publications also have the incorrect serial numbers for the aircraft

Loss card - larger version available on request (courtesy Neil Cartman)

Conditions at the time of accident have been described as poor visibility, rain and with cloud base at 500 ft. The accident report blamed both crews for the unexplained mid-air collision!

Sgt. Frederick Allfrey and 1939-45 medal and letter (courtesy Neil Cartman)

Wedding of Sgt. Frederick and Annie Allfrey (courtesy Neil Cartman)

Burial details:



P/O. Trevor Mason. Bodmin Cemetery Sec T. Grave 425. Son of Sydney Arthur Mason and of Sadie Pascoe Mason, of Bodmin, England.
Grave inscription: 'Until The Day Breaks'.

Sgt. Alfred James Stone. Hanham Churchyard. Grave H.2. Son of William and Florence Stone, of Bristol; husband of Winifred Ruth Stone, of Lawrence Hill, Bristol, England.



Sgt. Bernard Bamford. Grantham Cemetery Sec 19. Row B. Grave 16. Son of Albert and Harriet Rebecca Bamford, husband of Mary Bamford, of Buckhurst Hill, Essex, England.
Grave inscription: 'To Live In The Hearts Of Those We Love Is Not To Die'.

Sgt. Frederick William James Allfrey. Billingshurst Churchyard. Grave 206. Son of Alfred William and May Allfrey, husband of Annie Caroline Allfrey, of East Street, Billingshurst, England.
 Frederick Allfrey, joined up in September 1940 and was a wireless operator air gunner. He had nearly completed his training course at 42 O.T.U. A member of the choir, a Sunday School teacher, bell- ringer, and a server at Billingshurst Church, also a King's Scout and Assistant Scoutmaster. Frederick was a keen football and tennis player.
Grave inscription: 'At Rest'.

Sgt. John Mallett. City of London Cemetery, Manor Park. Square 116. Grave 110559. Son of Percival John and Edith Emily Mallett, of Forest Gate, England.



Sgt. Richard Owen Parker. Lewisham Cemetery Sec. G.G. Grave 49. Son of William and Edith May Parker, of Lee, England.



Researched by Neil Cartman (his mother was married to Sgt. Allfrey) and for the relatives / friends of the crew.

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