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Operation: Training
Date: 13th September 1943 (Monday)
Unit: No. 453 Squadron (motto: 'Ready to strike')
Type: Spitfire Vc
Serial: EE727
Code: FU-?
Base: RAF Perranporth
Location: Trevellas, Cornwall
Pilot: Fl/Sgt. Mervyn Francis Nolan Aus/414505 RAAF Age 24. Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
Taking off on a cine-gun practice along with P/O. Parker.
At the conclusion of the exercise P/O. Parker landed first at the base followed shortly after by Fl/Sgt. Nolan.Fl/Sgt. Nolan overshot whilst half way down the field but he left it too late to open up the throttles to go round again.
He barely gained flying speed when he then hit telephone wires which crossed the road to the south of the runway, the aircraft then stalled and he dropped onto a cottage 30 yards further on at 15:00 hrs.
The cause of the accident was described as an error of judgement from the pilot, the report emphasised that it was not carelessness as the pilot was held in high esteem by his commanding officer.
Tragically a child of 4. Barry Walker was also killed when the Spitfire landed on the house in Shute Row, Trevellas, his mother, Annie Walker was seriously injured. It is thought probable the father of Barry Sgt. Sydney Walker was on the base at the time. The cottage was destroyed when the Spitfire caught fire.
Above: RAF Perranporth memorial - Barry Parker also has a plaque on the stones.
Burial and other details:
Burial took place at 15:00 hrs on the 17th September 1943.
Fl/Sgt. Mervyn Francis Nolan. Illogan Churchyard (St Illogan). Row 2. Grave 20. Born on the 22nd September 1918 at Wondai, Australia. Enlisted on the 12th June 1941 after working as a butter packer. Embarked for Canada on the 22nd May 1942 and onto England on the 30th November 1942. Pilots badge awarded on the 23rd November 1942. Son of George Saunders Nolan (died 01st September 1961, aged 72) and Hannah Nolan (nee Mycock died 26th September 1992, aged 96) of 72 Barolin Street, Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia. Brother to Phyllis Rose Nolan (died 01st July 1987, aged 69. Grave inscription: 'God's Greatest Gift, Remembrance'.
Also:
Barry Walker. St Agnes Cemetery. Son of Sgt. Sydney Walker, RAF and Annie M. Walker, of Godolphin House, Portloe.
P/O. Harold Mason Parker. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 188. Born on the 30th March 1918 at Inverell, NSW, Australia. Enlisted on the 03rd March 1941 Son of Leslie Shelton Parker and Madge Greta Parker, of Inverell, New South Wales, Australia. Aus/403763 Age 25. Missing off the Scilly Isles on the 08th October 1943 flying Spitfire EP252 FU-J whilst with 453 squadron.
Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to Information Cornwall, NAA of Australia, other sources as quoted below:KTY 27-05-2021
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them. - Laurence
Binyon
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Last Modified: 27 May 2021, 20:44