Operation: Training - Solo

Date: 06th November 1944 (Monday)

Unit: No. 13 Operational Training Unit (OTU - 2 Group)

Type: Mosquito FB.VI

Serial: HJ669

Code: Not known

Base: RAF Harwell, Berkshire

Location: East South East RAF Harwell airfield, Berkshire

Pilot: Fl/Sgt. Leslie Arthur Williams NZ/422082 RNZAF Age 23. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off from RAF Harwell in Berkshire on a solo training flight - suffered port engine failure, the pilot made a tight turn against the dead engine when flying at too low an airspeed, aircraft stalled and spun into the ground at 11:35 hrs from around 500 ft.

Air accident investigators discovered that the engine failure was found to have been caused by the No. 3 big end failure as a result of overheating.

Burial details:

Fl/Sgt. Leslie Arthur Williams. Oxford Cemetery (Botley) Plot H/3. Grave 76. Son of Robert Evan Williams and of Mabel Williams (née Laine and husband of Betty Albion Williams, of New Brighton, Canterbury, New Zealand. The pilot had 425 hours flying hours logged.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to the research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Auckland Cenotaph, 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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