Operation: Training

Date: 21st March 1944 (Tuesday)

Unit: 512 Squadron, 46 Group, Transport Command

Type: Dakota III

Serial No: KG366

Code: HC:?

Location: Watlington, Oxfordshire

Base: RAF Broadwell, Oxfordshire

Pilot: Flt Lt. Robert Henry James Mountford 74968 RAFVR Age 32. Killed

Navigator: Fg Off. Colin Levings 406423 RAAF Age 32 Killed

WOp/Air Gnr: Fg Off. John "Jackie" Creighton Beck DFM 52694 RAF Age 23. Killed

Passenger: Fg Off. Clarence Edward Robertson 53021 RAF Age 30. Killed

Passenger: Fg Off. James Garnett Falloon J22895 RCAF Age 25. Killed

A Dakota III from 512 Squadron (Credit: Australian War memorial)

Flt Lt. Mountford (from his Private Pilot Licence), Fg Off. Falloon (from his Service Record)

REASON FOR LOSS:

On the 21st March 1944 twenty-four aircraft from the Sqn were engaged on local light glider towing and low-level cross country training. KG366 was authorised to fly to Doncaster and a return flight.

The following day, en route and some 28 miles east of base, KG366 flew into high ground at Watlington, Oxfordshire at 11:30 hours whilst flying below the safety height in poor weather.

Two crew members and the two passengers lost their lives in the crash. Fg Off. Beck died the next day from injuries he sustained.

Burial Details:

Flt Lt. Robert Henry James Mountford. Streatham Park Cemetery, Square 8. Grave 35232. Inscription reads: "UNTIL THE DAY BREAK AND THE SHADOWS FLEE AWAY" WE SHALL REMEMBER HIM"". Born on the 1st October 1911 in London. Son of Henry James Mountford and Alice Maud Mountford; husband of Edna (née Fenwick) Mountford, of Wheatley Hill, Co. Durham.

Above: Fg Off. Levings grave marker (credit: Retired QA - FindAGrave)

Fg Off. Colin Levings. Brookwood Military Cemetery, 4.N.11. Inscription reads: "GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS". Born on the 23rd May 1911 in Glasgow, Scotland. Son of Ferdinand George and Agnes Dorothea (née Tacchi) Levings. His father predeceased him in September 1939. Husband of Minnie Venetta Louise (née Anderson) Levings, of Subiaco, Western Australia.

Fg Off. John ‘Jackie’ Creighton Beck DFM. Dumfries (St. Andrew’s) Roman Catholic Cemetery, Section A, Grave 61. Son of John Creighton and Robina (née Wallace) Beck of Dumfries, Scotland.

637628 Flt Sgt. Beck was awarded the DFM whilst with 61 Sqn (Avro Manchester Sqn). Promulgated in the London Gazette 26th May 1942.
Commissioned and promoted to Plt Off. with effect 20th June 1943 Promulgated in the London Gazette 7th September 1943.
Promoted to Fg Off. with effect 20th December 1943 Promulgated in the London Gazette 24th December 1943

Passengers:

Fg Off. Clarence Edward Robertson. Brookwood Military Cemetery, 20.C.14. Inscription reads: "MOURN FOR THE DEAD WHO DIED IN VAIN BUT NOT FOR HIM". Son of William and Sara Robertson of Montreal, province of Quebec, Canada.

Fg Off. Robertson was an Air Gunner from 48 Sqn.

Above: Fg Off. Falloon grave marker (credit: Retired QA - FindAGrave)

Fg Off. James Garnett Falloon. Brookwood Military Cemetery, 48.B.4. Inscription reads: "REST, CALMLY REST FOR THOU THY PART HAST PLAYED". Born on the 29th September 1917 in Foxwarren, Maitoba Son of Albert Scott and Mary Pearl (née Mclellan) Falloon, of Foxwarren, Maitoba, Canada

Fg Off. Falloon was a Pilot from 575 Sqn.

Researched by Ralph Snape for Aircrew Remembered and dedicated to the relatives of this crew and passengers.

Other sources listed below:

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
All site material (except as noted elsewhere) is owned or managed by Aircrew Remembered and should not be used without prior permission.
© Aircrew Remembered 2012 - 2026 Last Modified: 15 May 2026, 13:33