Operation: Pilot ferry flight

Date: 07th December 1941 (Sunday)

Unit: No. 3 Delivery Flight

Type: Dominie I

Serial: X7354

Code: Not known

Base: RAF Hawarden, Flintshire

Location: Hordley, Shropshire

Pilot: P/O. John Ernest Moodie 60527 RAFVR Age 24. Killed

W/Op (Pilot): P/O. George Kingston Eaton 101066 RAFVR Age 20. Killed

Px:

Fl/Lt. Austin - survived - Commander of No. 3 Delivery Flight, no further details, are you able to assist?

Sgt. Brookes - survived - of 74 Squadron, no further details, are you able to assist?

AC. Cameron - survived - of 57 OTU, no further details, are you able to assist?

REASON FOR LOSS:

With the great research carried out by Errol Martyn on the Royal New Zealand Airforce losses we have been able to compile this page. If you have further information and or photographs we would welcome contact from you.

On a ferry flight taking pilots and other passenger to RAF Hawarden to RAF Litchfield when during the flight weather conditions deteriorated.

They entered a snowstorm which had not been forecasted, the aircraft was struck by lightning making the flight instruments inoperable. The pilot. P/O. John Moodie, ordered his 3 passengers to bale out whilst he and his wireless operator (also a pilot) remained with the aircraft. The 3 that baled out survived, slight injuries.

Sadly the aircraft when the Dominie crashed at 17:20 hrs at Hordley in Shropshire - it transpires that the crew killed were not wearing the parachute harnesses at the time of the lightning strike and were unable to follow the others.

The family of the pilot also lost his younger brother, 22 year old Sgt. William Anderson Moodie NZ/404923 RNZAF. On the 09th February 1942 whilst flying Hurricane IIB BG797 with 232 Squadron during air combat it is thought that he was hit by enemy fighters over Johore Bharu in Malasia off Singapore. Sadly his body was never recovered and the is commemorated on the Singapore Memorial, panel 422. (note: the CWGC incorrectly places his death as 05th February 1942)

Burial details:

P/O. John Ernest Moodie. Cremated at Birkenhead Crematorium (Landican). Son of Benjamin Cecil and Gertrude Emily Moodie, husband of Mildred Moodie, of Howick, Auckland, New Zealand. A total of 475 flying hours logged.

P/O. George Kingston Eaton. Buried at Eaton Old Churchyard (St. Andrew). Son of Frederic Ray and Ruth Evangeline Eaton, of Eaton, Norwich, Norfolk, England.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to the research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Auckland War Memorial Museum, Weekly News of New Zealand, other sources as quoted below:

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
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