Operation: Formation Practice

Date: 15th August 1943 (Sunday)

Unit: No. 247 Squadron (motto: 'Rise from the East'). 124 Wing. 83 Group. 2nd Tactical Air Force

Type: Typhoon Ib

Serial: JP505

Code: ZY-?

Base: RAF New Romney, Kent, England.

Location: At airfield

Pilot: Fl/Sgt. Eric Stuart McCuaig R/132649 RCAF Age 20. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Weather: Fair, Southwesterly wind. Moderate. Slightly Bumpy.

The following taken from the Board of Enquiry:

A formation of four aircraft returning from an authorised low flying cross-country were flying across the airfield when the starboard wing of Sgt. McCuaig hit the port wing of F/O. Robertson 118182 RAFVR. F/O. Robertson appeared to lose control and after gaining about l00', rolled over and crashed on the edge of the airfield, the aircraft bursting into flames on impact. Sgt. McCuaig retained control, and gaining height, returned to the. airfield and attempted to land downwind with undercarriage retracted and flaps down. The damaged wing stalled at about 30' and the aircraft crashed on the airfield, immediately bursting into flames. Neither of the pilots attempted to abandon their aircraft by parachute.

Sgt. McCuaig was flying too close to F/O. Robertson for a low level flight despite the fact that he had been ordered to fly in open formation.

Above: 247 Squadron Typhoon Ib

The weather was rather bumpy, heightening the risk of collision.

In the case of Sgt McCuaig the chance of making a successful landing was decreased by the fact that he was approaching down-wind, and also turning towards the damaged wing.

Pilots Flying Log Flight Book (F.414) fling times given in paragraph 6 extracted.

Flight authorisation. Flight authorised by F/O. Gear and initialled by Sq/Ldr, Melvill. Minimum height for cross country entered on 300 feet. and airframe log books for Typhoon JP505 examined, confirming aircraft serviceable before flight. Log book for Typhoon JP487 not examined as already sent to 403 R.S.U. as per Sq/Ldr. Brousson's statement.

Burial details:

Buried on the 19th August 1943 at 14:00 hrs.

Fl/Sgt. Eric Stuart McCuaig. Brookwood Military Cemetery. Grave 45.E.6. Born on the 02nd June 1923 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Worked as a payroll checker for Foundation Company of Canada in Montreal.

Enlisted on the 13th February 1942. Trained at No. 1 Initial Training School on 22nd December 1941. With No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School at Malton on the 02nd March 1942. No. 13 Elementary Flying Training School at at St. Hubert. Awarded his pilot wings on the 23rd October 1942. After arriving in England he had further training with No. 59 Operational Training Unit at Millfiel March - June 1943. Joined 247 squadron on the 22nd June 1943.

Son of Major Clarence Norman McCuaig (died of pneumonia on the 19th February 1935, age 42) and Edith Evelyn McCuaig (née Woods - both parents deceased at the date of enlisting) Judith McCuaig also named as next of kin?. Husband of Joan Elizabeth McCuaig (née Gray), of Cornwall, Ontario, Canada. Brother of P/O Ian H. McCuaig, at No. 1 Flying Instructor School, Trenton, and sister, Mrs. Molly Stead of Westmont, Quebec.

Epitaph: 'He Giveth His Beloved Sleep Psalm 127.2'.

McCuaig Lake, west of Oxford Lake was named after Fl/Sgt. Eric Stuart McCuaig in 1995.

F/O. Alexander William Robertson. Brookwood Military Cemetery. Grave 25.C.15. Son of John Watson Robertson and Elizabeth Robertson, of Ealing, Middlesex, England.

Epitaph: 'Served As A Fighter Pilot So Gallant, So Gay, So Greatly Loved Venturing All - He Gave All'.

Above Courtesy Typhoon Preservation Group

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to the National Archive. Kew, Government of Canada, Paradie RCAF Archives, The Typhoon Project.

Pages regarding losses due to accidents
Pages detailing RCAF Losses

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