Operation: Training

Date: 10th/11th May 1940 (Friday/Saturday)

Unit No: 17 Operational Training Unit (OTU), 6 Group

Type: Blenheim IV

Serial: L4889

Code: AY:E

Base: RAF Upwood, Cambridgeshire (Formerly Huntingdonshire)

Location: Green Dyke, near Upwood

Pilot: Plt Off. Grenville James McFarland 42413 RAF Age 20. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off on a solo night circuits and landings exercise his first at night.

During approach to the airfield at 22:40 hrs after 3 hours of practice suddenly dived in from 1000 ft into the ground at Green Dyke, near Upwood.

He was a student of Nelson College where he was head prefect. A member of the RNZAF Civil Reserve as a pilot at the Marlborough Aero Club. Obtained his 'A' licence on the 14th March 1938. Logged 40 hours flying time prior to RAF. Selected for RAF short service commission and embarked for England on the 6th May 1939 arriving on the 8th June 1939. Attached to No. 9 Elementary and Reserve Flying Training School at RAF Ansty for further pilot training. Awarded his pilot's wings on the 19th August 1939. Joined No. 17 Operational Training Unit (OTU) on the 8th April for conversion training on the Blenheim.

A total of 127 solo flying hours logged.

Burial details:

Plt Off. Grenville James McFarland Bury Cemetery. Row A. Grave 21. Born on the 25th December 1915 at Auckland. Son of James Andrew McFarland, and of Clarice Karina McFarland (nee Clayton, later Gilbert), of Stoke, Nelson, New Zealand.

There are three (3) New Zealand aircrew all from the same unit buried in this cemetery:

Plt Off. Ronald Peter Bell 402841 RNZAF. He was KiA on the 12th August 1941 when his Blenheim IV L1245 was shot down by a German night fighter;

Plt Off. Henry Michael Hoadley 39919 RNZAF. He was killed on the 28th August 1940 flying solo aboard Blenheim IV L9262 which crashed shortly after take off at 21:45 hrs;

Sgt. Alfred James Victor Secker 40743 RNZAF. He was killed aboard Blenheim IV L4835 flown Sgt. Ian Munro Curror with Sgt. John Pinchard as WOp/Air Gnr. All three (3) crew perished when the aircraft crashed in poor visibility into the side of Titterstone Clee Hill on the 14th December 1940.

Researched by Kelvin Youngs (Webmaster) and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to Jenifer Lemaire and to the extensive research by Errol Martyn his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Auckland Library Heritage Collection, AWMM (May 2021). Thanks to Antonio McDonald for the providing the Code for this aircraft. (Apr 2025).

Other sources listed below:

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