Operation: Air Sea Rescue (ASR) search

Date: 5th October 1942 (Monday)

Unit No: 227 Sqn, Mediterranean Command

Type: Beaufighter IC

Serial: X8039

Code: S

Base: RAF Luqa, Malta

Location: In the sea about 65 miles east of Malta

Pilot: Sqn Ldr. William Charles Wigmore DFC, 42931 RAF Age 24. Safe (1)

Obs: Plt Off. Arthur Maurice Crow DFM, MiD, 116137 RAFVR Age 21. Safe (2)

Above: Flt Lt. Crow (courtesy of Roger (nephew) – FindAGrave)

REASON FOR LOSS:

On the 5th October 1942 X8039 and two (2) other Beaufighters took-off from RAF Luqa to continue the search for the missing crew from a ditched Beaufighter.

The missing aircraft was Beaufighter IC X8077 "F" flown by Flt Sgt. George P. Fargher R67720 RCAF and Plt Off. Kenneth C. Briffett 130135 RAFVR.

A dinghy was eventually sighted about sixty-five (65) miles east of Malta. Sqn Ldr. Wigmore turn to fly over to where High Speed Launch (HSL) 128 was searching but one engine of the Beaufighter suddenly seized forcing him too ditch the aircraft about two (2) miles from where the spotted dinghy was bobbing up and down.

Both Sqn Ldr Wigmore and Plt Off. Crow successfully egressed the aircraft, inflated the aircraft dinghy and climbed aboard. One of the two other Beaufighters orbited their location whilst the other flew over to position of the other dinghy until HSL 128 arrived and rescued all three (3) airmen. Sadly, WO2. Fargher lost his life in the crash and only Plt Off. Briffett was rescued.

(1) Acting Sqn Ldr. Wigmore was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) whilst with 235 Sqn (London Gazette 18th September 1942).

Note: A detachment of 235 Sqn operating Beaufighters from RAF Luqa on Malta became 227 Sqn.

William Charles Wigmore was born in Canada, Circa 1918 in Ontario. William passed away on the 24th October 2010.

Above: Courtesy of The Daily Telegraph, dated 30th October 2010

(2) 746736 Flt Sgt. Crow was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) whilst with 235 Sqn. (London Gazette 7th July 1942);

The following was the recommendation for the award of the DFM:

‘This Wireless Operator/Air Gunner has flown continuously on operations since October, 1940. On 27th December, 1941, when returning home after affording protection to the landing force at Vågsøy, his aircraft was attacked by two enemy aircraft. Flight Sergeant Crow was of such great assistance to his pilot that the aircraft escaped damage in spite of ten minutes continuous attacks. On other occasions also, his alertness, coolness and judgement have resulted in the safety of his aircraft under difficult conditions’.

The protection was for the landing force for Operation “Archery” also known as the Måløy raid.

Note: His pilot was Sqn Ldr. William Charles Wigmore DFC 42931 RAF who survive the war. Their aircraft serial number is not recorded and is being researched.

Flt Sgt. Crow was appointed to a commission and promoted to Plt Off. effective 6th February 1942 (London Gazette 14th April 1942).

As an acting Fg Off. he was Mentioned in Despatches (MiD) for actions on Malta which was promulgated in the London Gazette on the 11th June 1942. He was promoted to Fg Off. Effective 1st October 1942 (London Gazette 1st December 1942).

Shorty after he had returned to the UK in May 1943 upon the completion of his tour in Malta and return to the UK he became aware of the “Goldfish Club” and immediately applied for membership and was accepted.

Above: This is the embroidered badge for the Goldfish Club, which commemorates the evacuation of a disabled craft over or on water, and the use of life preservers such as inflatable life jackets and crafts.

On the 29th December 1944 Flt Lt. Crow was the navigator aboard 544 (PR) Squadron Mosquito PR.VII NS791 which was intercepted and shot down by an Me262-1A. His pilot Flt Lt. Olaf Patrick ‘Pat’ Olson DFC became a PoW. Tragically Flt Lt. Arthur Maurice Crow DSO, DFM, MiD was murdered.

Burial details:

None – both crew rescued

Researched by Ralph Snape for Aircrew Remembered and dedicated to the crew and their families (Aug 2026)

Other sources listed below:

References:

1. Malta: The Spitfire Year 1942 – Christopher Shores and Brian Cull with Nicola Malizia – ISBN: 0-948817-16-X: pp 571-572

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