Operation: Transit Flight

Date: 24th December 1941 (Wednesday)

Unit No: 254 Squadron, 18 Group, Coastal Command

Type: Blenheim IVF

Serial: L9313

Code: QY:?

Base: RAF Dyce, Aberdeenshire

Location: Pitmedden, Aberdeenshire

Pilot: Flt Lt. Dick Middleton Poynter 39933 RNZAF Age 26. Killed

Obs: Plt Off. William Ronald Constable 101504 RAFVR Age 23. Killed

WOp/Air Gnr: Flt Sgt. Arthur Wyn-Jones 638742 RAFVR Age 21. Survived (1)

Passenger: AC2 Thomas Broom 1105527 (F Mech E) RAFVR Age 21. Killed

Passenger: AC1 Ronald Frederick Watson (F Mech E) 1175044 RAFVR Age 27. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off at at 14:15 hrs and climbed to 150 ft. on a transit flight to Wick

The starboard engine then began to misfire with flames appearing around the cowling. These were extinguished but then the engine failed.

They continued to fly straight and level with the remaining engine. Then the aircraft stalled and crashed into the Pitmedden churchyard.

(1) Flt Sgt. Arthur Wyn-Jones survived the crash but was badly injured. He was admitted to Kingseast Naval Hospital in Aberdeen. He lost a leg but returned to flying duties with an artificial leg and flew numerous missions on his return. He was promoted to Warrant Officer (WO) before retiring from the RAF.

Above: Flt Sgt. Arthur Wyn-Jones (left) and his Air Gunner log book (Courtesy of Andrew Wyn-Jones)

He had a full and good life and passed away on the 24th May 1980 aged 61.

Burial details:

Flt Lt. Dick Middleton Poynter. Dyce Old Churchyard. Grave 21. Born on the 23rd November 1915 at Dunnevirke. Son of Frank Middleton Poynter and Ruby Maudine Poynter (nee Wellwood), of Tauranga, New Zealand.

Previous to service worked as an accountant for Burroughs Ltd at Wellington. Obtained his 'A' pilots licence 11th August 1938 with Wellington Aero Club. Enlisted on the 26th October 1939. Pilots badge awarded on the 27th March 1940 and promoted to Sergeant. Awarded his commission on the 4th May 1940. Embarked for England on the 24th May 1940. Joined 254 Squadron from No. 1 OTU in August 1940. A total of 556 flying hours logged. On his 61st operational sortie.

Plt Off. William Ronald Constable. Crail Cemetery. Sec. F. Grave 28. Grave inscription: 'DEARLY BELOVED HUSBAND OF MARGARET J.F.ANDERSON. TREASURED MEMORIES'. Son of William Smith Constable and Annabella Constable and husband of Margaret J. F. Constable, of Crail.

AC2. Thomas Broom. Manchester Cemetery (Philips Park). Sec. O. Church. Grave 559. Son of Thomas and Florence Broom, of Manchester.

His brother, 31 year old James Carroll 3536146 2nd Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps was KiA on the 3rd November 1942.

AC1. Ronald Frederick Watson. Northwood Cemetery. Sec. H. Grave 201. Grave inscription: 'FATHER, IN THY GRACIOUS KEEPING LEAVE WE NOW THY SERVANT SLEEPING’. Son of Thomas Frederick and Maud Elizabeth Watson, husband of Gladys Pamela Watson, of Shepherds Bush, London.

Above L-R: Rear; Robert William Douglas Cowper NZ/39903 ✞, W.B Mackley, Reginald Wilfred Prout NZ/39936 ✞, Stronach Vivian Smith NZ/39942 ✞.
Centre; P.S Fougere, Hector Hugh Crawford NZ/39904 ✞, P.F.L Stephenson, G.S Halley, Keith Stuart Strode-Penny NZ/39932 ✞, K.C Lee.
Front; TW Horton, Dick Middleton Poynter NZ/39933 ✞, John Crayley Blundell NZ/39898 ✞, H.G Miller, J. Bayly, Henry Michael Hoadley NZ/39919 ✞, Robert Michael Goldstone NZ/39914 ✞. (Courtesy Air Museum of New Zealand)

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 and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Air Museum of New Zealand, Auckland Library Heritage Collection, AWMM. (Apr 2021). Thanks to Andrew Wyn-Jones, the son of Arthur Wyn-Jones, for the information and images of his father (Nov 2022).

Other sources as quoted below:

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