Operation: Training

Date: 14th February 1942 (Saturday)

Unit: No. 6 Flying Instructor Training School. 50 Group

Type: Magister I

Serial: N3829

Code: -

Base: RAF Staverton, Gloucestershire

Location: Croome Court Estate near Worcester

Pilot: Sgt. Charles Cecil Shaw NZ/413130 RNZAF Age 20. Killed

Pilot: Sgt. Vernon Alfred Walters NZ/413161 RNZAF Age 20. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking part in aerobatics training. During a mock attack on a Tiger Moth at 14:15 hrs flying at 500 ft the Magister flicked over following a vertical bank and dived into the ground on the edge of Lake Covert on the Croome Court Estate.

Both the young pilots who trained and graduated together on Course 17A at Wigram were killed.

Burial and personal details:

Sgt. Charles Cecil Shaw. Gloucester Old Cemetery. Plot B. Grave 10178. Born on the 29th March 1921 in New South Wales, Australia. Moved to New Zealand in 1921. Worked as a clerk for State Advances Corporationin Auckland prior to service. Member of the Auckland Model and Aerospace Club. Enlisted at Levin on the 25th May 1941. Trained at No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School joining on the 05th June 1941. Then to No.1 Flying Training School joining on the 06th August 1941. Pilots badge awarded on the 29th September 1941 and promoted to sergeant on the 08th November 1941. Embarked to England on the 17th November 1941. Joined 6 Flying Instructor Training School on the 13th January 1942. Son of Charlie and Mary Louise Shaw (nee Curry) of St. Albans, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand.

Sgt. Vernon Alfred Walters. Gloucester Old Cemetery. Plot B. Grave 9872. Born on the 21st March 1921 at Wellington. Worked as a customs agent for United Customs and Carrying Company in Wellington prior to service. Enlisted at Levin on the 25th May 1941. Trained at No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School joining on the 05th June 1941. Then to No.1 Flying Training School joining on the 16th August 1941. Pilots badge awarded on the 29th September 1941 and promoted to sergeant on the 08th November 1941. Embarked to England on the 17th November 1941. Joined 6 Flying Instructor Training School on the 13th January 1942. Son of Frederick and Ethel Constance Walters (nee Mexted), of Kilbirnie, Wellington, New Zealand.

Researched 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”, Auckland Library Heritage Collection, Weekly News of New Zealand, other sources as quoted below:

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
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