Operation: Training

Date: 22nd April 1945 (Sunday)

Unit: No. 8 Operational Training Unit (Coastal Command)

Type: Mosquito FB VI

Serial: HR464

Code: 44

Base: RAF Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire

Location: 1 Mile East of airfield

Pilot: Fl/Sgt. Desmond Lawrence Rogers 1323284 RAFVR Age 20. Killed

Nav: Fl/Sgt. Edmund Brierley 1457007 RAFVR Age 22. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off in the morning on operational flying exercises on high level photography practice.

At 09:30 hrs Fl/Lt. Martin called Flying Control to state that he had seen a Mosquito ("Mosquito 44" piloted by Fl/Sgt. Rogers) tail break off in mid-air and had seen the aircraft crash.

A fire tender and ambulance were immediately sent to the crash scene but the pilot and navigator were found to be dead. The crash occurred in a field to the east of the aerodrome understood to be at Arnolds Down Farm.

Burial details:

Fl/Sgt. Desmond Lawrence Rogers. Carshalton Churchyard (All Saints) Sec. P. Grave 41. Son of Capt. Alfred Bernard Rogers (formerly of the RAF), and of Grace Gertrude Rogers, of Wallington, England. and husband of Etta Geneva Rogers. Grave inscription reads: "Youngest Son Of The Late Alfred Bernard Rogers Late Captain, R.A.F".

Fl/Sgt. Edmund Brierley. Manchester Cemetery (Gorton). Son of Edmund and Ada Brierley, of Gorton, Manchester, England. Grave inscription reads: "A Noble Boy In Heart And Mind Beautiful Memory Left Behind".

Researched by Steve Hunnisett and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to sources indicated below. Also thanks to Sam Dorrington and Kaycee for grave photographs.