Archive Report: Allied Forces

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13.07.1940 No. 218 Squadron Blenheim IV R3597 F/O. Newton

Operation: Training

Date: 13th July 1940 (Saturday)

Unit: No: 218 Squadron (motto - 'In Time')

Type: Blenheim IV

Serial: R3597

Coded: HA-?

Base: RAF Mildenhall, Suffolk

Location: North East of Harrold, Bedfordshire.

Pilot: F/O. Terence Newton 39943 RAF Age ? Killed

Obs 1: Sgt. David Vincent Malpass 564042 RAFVR Age 26. Killed

Obs 2: Sgt. Joseph Newton Routledge 513919 RAF Age 27. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

13th July 1940 P/O. Newton carried out general flying practice in Blenheim R3597 on the line of Mildenhall to Sywell, on a map reading practice for two observers, Sgt. Routledge and Sgt. Malpass. Weather described as good.

Take off Mildenhall 10:55 hrs. At about 11:30 hrs. he was seen flying very low over his uncle's farm on the Harrold to Sharnbrook road, some 10 miles south of the prescribed line.

In passing over the farm the starboard wing tip of the aircraft struck the top of a 40 foot high Ash tree, which damaged it and probably the aileron. Started a turn to starboard, which gradually steepened, after loosing height the aircraft struck the ground to the North East of Harrold and caught fire.

The three occupants were killed instantly.

Above: Sgt. David Vincent Malpass (Owen Vaughan)

Burial Details:

F/O. Terence Newton Carlton. (St. Mary) Churchyard. West of tower. Further information: Son of Winstanley and Madeleine Newton; nephew of Mr. D.F. Warren, of St. Albans, Hertfordshire, England. Flying Officer Newton was the nephew of Pat Warren (Dennis Patrick Warren-Somerville) who at the time had a piggery between Harrold and Odell.

His parents lived in Australia. Flying skills assessed as 'above average'. Sgt. Malpass previously served in France. Only son of Mr and Mrs James Malpass of Wheeler Ave, Scranton, Pennsylvania, USA. Graduated in 1929 took R.A.F. entrance exam in America and shortly afterwards directed to appear in England. Married Connie youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs B. Thomas 4 West Gate Hill Pembroke, Wales. His father served right through last war. Grave inscription: 'Grant Him Eternal Rest O Lord And May Light Perpetual Shine Upon Him'.

Sgt. David Vincent Malpass. Pembroke Dock (Llanion) Cemetery. Sec. T. Grave 229. Son of James Power Malpass and Catherine Maud Malpass, husband of Irene Constance Phelps Malpass, of Pembroke, Wales. Grave inscription: 'Greater Love Hath No Man Than This, That A Man Lay Down His Life For His Friends'.

Sgt. Joseph Newton Routledge. Penrith Cemetery. Sec/ Green. Row J.J.J. Grave 8. Son of John and Elizabeth Routledge, of Penrith, England.

Research by Owen Vaughan, we are grateful for his contributions to this loss article and also for the photo of Sgt. David Malpass. Mr Owen Vaughan specialises in the research of RAF (and others) graves in the Pembrokeshire area of England. With thanks to the following sources:

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