Operation: Patrol
Date: 14/15th July 1944 (Friday/Saturday)
Unit: No. 488 Squadron 149 Wing. 85 Group. (motto: Ka ngarue ratau - 'We shake them')
Type: Mosquito NF.XIII
Serial: MM551
Code: ME-X
Base: RAF Zeals, Wiltshire
Location: See report
Pilot: Fl/Sgt. Howard George Scott NZ/424527 RNZAF Age 22. Killed
Nav: F/O. Colin Campbell Duncan NZ/427193 RNZAF Age 20. Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
Taking off at around 23:15 hrs on a patrol over France.
On return flew into trees on high ground at Bratley Enclosure (see map) other reports state that they came down near to RAF Holmsley at 02:20 hrs. No details as to the reason for the accident.
Burial details:
Funeral for the two crew members was held on the 19th July with Fl/Lt. Irwin Charles Skudder NZ/427234 and F/O. Thomas Allan Maclean NZ/422344 in attendance, representing the squadron.
Fl/Sgt. Howard George Scott. Brookwood Military Cemetery. Grave 8.AA.5. Born on the 05th December 1921 at Gisborne, the son of George Henry Scott and of Lily Scott (née Pearce), of Gisborne, Auckland, New Zealand. Prior to service worked as a painter for his father. A total of 457 flying hours logged and having completed 14 operational sorties.
F/O. Colin Campbell Duncan. Brookwood Military Cemetery. Grave 8.AA.6. Born on the 18th August 1923 at Blenheim, the son of Douglas Linwood Duncan and Mabel Lilian Duncan (née Smith), of Blenheim, Marlborough, New Zealand. Before enlisting worked as a clerk for Levin and Company in Blenheim. A total of 302 flying hours logged and having completed 12 operational sorties.
Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to the research by Jenifer Lemaire, Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Auckland War Memorial Museum, Weekly News of New Zealand, other sources as quoted below:
