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Operation: Training
Date: 10th September 1944 (Sunday)
Unit: No. 60 Operational Training Unit. 9 Group Air Defence of Great Britain
Type: Mosquito FB.VI
Serial: HJ816
Code: Not issued
Base: RAF High Ercall, Shropshire
Location: Banks ranges, Southport
Pilot: F/O. Guy Merson Templer NZ/413911 RNZAF Age 22. Killed
Nav: F/O. Derek Allan Attwood NZ/4211007 RNZAF Age 20. Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
Taking part in an air to ground range firing practice and making a normal diving approach to the target.
Suddenly the dive became steeper and the pilot attempted to pull up but the Mosquito hit the ground - the starboard wing folded back just prior to impact.
Later investigations considered that perhaps the pilot's attention had been momentarily diverted in dealing with a problem with the gun firing mechanism.
Burial details:
The two crew were buried on the 14th September with the usual full military honours. As with the majority of the Commonwealth graves these are maintained to a very high standard. No grave inscriptions for the two New Zealanders - to understand why, take a look at this page.
F/O. Guy Merson Templer. Chester Cemetery (Blacon) Sec. A. Grave 232. Born on the 03rd January 1922 at Aniwaniwa, the son of Guy Merson Templer and Winifred Alice Catherine Templer (née Thomson), of Epson, Auckland City, New Zealand. A total of 1563 flying hours logged - with 56 of these on the Mosquito.
F/O. Derek Allan Attwood Chester Cemetery (Blacon) Sec. A. Grave 361. Born on the 18th December 1923 at Napier, the son of Jack Hamilton Attwood and Mildred Phipps Attwood (née Elliott), of Hastings, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. Worked as a clerk with the Hawkes Bay Farmers Co-Op prior to service. A total of 225 flying hours logged.
Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to the research by 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:
KTY 23.07.2019
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember
them. - Laurence
Binyon
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Last Modified: 03 April 2021, 17:20