Operation: Training

Date: 21/22nd October 1941 (Tuesday/Wednesday)

Unit: No. 19 OTU (Operational Training Unit) 6 Group

Type: Whitley V

Serial: P5103

Code: Not issued

Base: RAF Kinloss, Morayshire, Scotland

Location: Ardestie, Scotland

Pilot: P/O. Lewis Taylor Younie NZ/41390 RNZAF Age 20. Killed

Pilot 2: Sgt. Harry Gervase Roughton NZ/405322 RNZAF Age 24. Killed

Obs: Sgt. Roy Tufts Oliver R/76040 RCAF Age 23. Killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Joseph Reid 1050106 RAFVR Age ? Killed

Air/Gnr: Sgt. S. Scott RAFR Injured - No further information

REASON FOR LOSS:

One of many training losses that are simply not remembered on many websites - boys killed perhaps even before they may have seen active service!

During a cross country training exercise the starboard engine suffered a severe glycol leak - the aircraft rapidly lost height after that engine failed. At 23:59 hrs the aircraft then dived into the ground killing 4 4 of the crew with Sgt. Scott escaping injured. We dont have any further details on how he managed to survive and welcome any further information.

This loss was pointed out to us by the great chaps at Medals Reunited of New Zealand. Established in May 2014, MRNZ is sustained by medals found (or pre-owned) by members of the public, RSAs, NZ Police, charity shops, service organisations and government departments, which are sent to them to research and hopefully reunite with the veteran’s family or descendant kin. They have had considerable success but always welcome any information on medals that you may have that belonged to New Zealand military personnel.

Burial details:

P/O. Lewis Taylor Younie. Kinloss Abbey Burial Ground. Grave 15. Row A. Son of Thomas and Gladys Younie, of Te Aro, Wellington City, New Zealand.

Sgt. Harry Gervase Roughton. Kinloss Abbey Burial Ground. Grave 16. Row A. Son of Oliver Gervase and Lily Beatrice Roughton, of Wakefield, Nelson, New Zealand.

Sgt. Roy Tufts Oliver. Kinloss Abbey Burial Ground. Grave 17. Row A. Born on the 18th May 1918 at Westville, the son of George T. Oliver and Eliza Jane Oliver and husband of Catherine Isabel Oliver, of Hopewell, Pictou Co, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Sgt. Joseph Reid. Rutherglen Cemetery. Div. N. Grave 35. No further details are you able to assist?

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to Ian Martyn of MRNZ ,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:

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