Operation: Training

Date: 24th March 1942 (Tuesday)

Unit No: 1515 Beam Approach Training Flight (BATF), Bomber Command

Type: Oxford I

Serial: V4137 and V4063

Code: None

Base: RAF Swanton Morley, Norfolk

Location: Foxley Wood, Foxley, Norfolk

V4137 Crew:

Pilot: Sgt. Ben Johnson DFM, 741603 RAFVR Age 24. Killed (1)

Pilot: Sgt. Stephen Harry Robinson 413545 RNZAF Age 27. Killed (2)

V4063 Crew:

Pilot: Fg Off. Donald McLeod Craik 69492 RAFVR Age 27. Killed (3)

Pilot: Sgt. Everard Howard Hawken 411891 RNZAF Age 20. Killed (4)

Above Sgt. Stephen H. Johnson (Courtesy of laurinlaurin espie - FindAGrave)

REASON FOR LOSS:

On the 24th March 1942 V4137 took-off from RAF Swanton Morley on a training flight with Sgt. Johnson DFM as the captain of the aircraft. They were involved in a mid-air collision with Oxford I V4063 flown by Fg Off. Donald M. Craik and Sgt. Everard H. Hawken from the same unit.

The aircraft collided at 16:00 hrs and crashed at Foxley Wood, Foxley in Norfolk, killing both crews.

(1) Sgt Johnson was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) whilst with 144 Squadron (London Gazette 23rd December 1941)

Recommendation for the award: “For continuous gallantry and devotion to duty during raids into enemy territory. This NCO has proved himself to be an operational pilot of the highest order and has never once, as Captain of aircraft, failed to complete his task successfully. He has never hesitated to go in low if weather conditions were such that he could not be sure of the target from a higher altitude. During August, 1941, he attacked a railway junction at Mannheim in bad weather conditions from a height of 2,500 feet. Two days later, while returning from an operational sortie, he carried out a successful machine-gun attack on Haamstede Aerodrome from a height of 1,000 feet. During September, he attacked the ship building yards at Rostock from a height of 1,200 feet. Sergeant Johnston's record is one of great coolness and exceptional courage in the face of the enemy”.

He completed his tour with 144 Squadron in October 1941. He was transferred, being rested from operations, to the 1515 BATF. A total of 197 flying hours logged and completed 28 operational sorties.

(2) Prior to enlisting the RNZAF at Levin on the 15th June 194, he worked as a labourer for Dalgety and Company of Dunedin. After training at No.1 Flying Training School he was awarded his pilots wings on the 18th October 1941 and promoted to Sergeant on the 29th November 1941. He embarked for England on the 18th December 1941.

He had served with this unit for about a week prior to his loss. A total of 194 flying hours logged. At the time of this accident was on attachment from 15 Pilot Advanced Flying Unit.

His brother, Harold George Robinson 48556 served in the 36 Infantry Battalion NZ Army - survived the war who passed away on the 9th March 2012, age 93.

(3) His father, David McLeod Craik was responsible for the design of a number of important buildings in the UK, Singapore and Penang. He served in the Royal Engineers during WW1 being wounded in France in 1917.

Details of David McLeod Craik’s life, family and career

Donald McLeod Craik also trained as an architect and was having a successful career in that field before volunteering for the RAFVR. He had married Ruth Isabella Myers Churchill in London in May 1936. Ruth was also an architect and the couple had met when they were both students. They had two children, David and Brian. Ruth remarried to a Dr. William Plant in September 1944.

(4) Prior to enlisting in the RNZAF at Levin on the 23rd March 1941, he worked as a clerk for Dominion Breweries prior to service. He embarked for Canada on the 22nd July 1941. After training at No.4 Flying Training School he was awarded his pilots Wings on the 5th December and promoted to sergeant. Embarked for England on the 8th January 1942. Served with this unit for about a week prior to his loss.

A total of 228 flying hours logged. At the time of this accident was on attachment from 15 Pilot Advanced Flying Unit.

Burial details:

V4137 Crew:

Above Grave marker for Sgt. Ben Johnson, DFM (Courtesy of Gunner - FindAGrave)

Sgt. Ben Johnson DFM. Cottingham Cemetery, Sec. B, Grave 740. Born in the 2nd Qtr of 1918 in Withersea, Yorkshire. Son of Alfred and Kate (née Tomlinson) Johnson of Cottingham, Yorkshire, England.

Sgt. Stephen Harry Robinson. Swanton Morley Churchyard (All Saints), Grave 5. Born on the 10th April 1914 at Dunedin. Son Harry and Ethel Robinson (née Curtis) of St. Kilda, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand.

V4063 Crew:

Above Grave marker for Fg Off. Donald M. Craik Marker: (Courtesy of Mark Townsend - FindAGrave)

Fg Off. Donald McLeod Craik. Great Bedwyn (St Mary) Churchyard, Wiltshire, Line 8, Grave 14. Born on the 18th April 1914 in Panang, Aklan, Philippines. Son of the renown architect David McLeod and Grace (née Black) Craik (both pre-deceased him in 1938). Husband to Ruth Isabella Myers (née Churchill) of Lansdown Crescent, Bath, England.

Above Grave Marker for Sgt. Everard H. Hawken (Courtesy of and in memory of Fallen Graver Richard Gray - FindAGrave)

Sgt. Everard Howard Hawken. Swanton Morley Churchyard (All Saints), Grave 6. Born on the 1st June 1922 at Whangarei, New Zealand. Son of Martin Gilbert and Pauline May Hawken (née Birt), of Auckland, New Zealand.

Researched by Kelvin Youngs (Webmaster) and dedicated to the relatives of these crews with thanks to Jenifer Lemaire and to the extensive research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Drew at WW2Talk Forum, Auckland Library Heritage Collection, AWMM (Jun 2021). Reviewed and updated with new Next of Kin details and images with thanks to John Allan for the details of Fg Off. Craik (Mar 2026)

Other Sources listed below:

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