Help understanding RAF service info, please

[Crumblie]

No problem, I only know Mona because I visited Valley a couple of times which groundcrew on Phantoms in the mid 70s.

Stuart

[KGarrad]

RAF Stations during WW2 on Isle of Man:
RAF Andreas
RAF Jurby (still used for motorbikes and car rally)
RAF Jurby Head (an air weapons range)
RAF Ronaldsway (now IOM Airport)
RAF Training Flying Control Centre (at Ramsey Grammar School)

I believe the confusion is because IOM is sometimes called Mona's Isle! 

[rafcommands]

Wish it was as explainable as that!

In reality I had been looking at the Service Record of Sgt Henly who was killed when Anson N5026 from No.4 (O)AFU West Freugh crashed close to Port Soderick IOM. The breadcrumb trail from his record led to National Archives of Australia where the extensive Casualty files on the rest of the crew are archived.

I dropped off to look up the 8 (O)AFU on discovery and mangled the reply I posted here.

1/10 "See Me after Class" on my report card I thinkl

Ross

[BushInn1746]

Wish it was as explainable as that!

In reality I had been looking at the Service Record of Sgt Henly who was killed when Anson N5026 from No.4 (O)AFU West Freugh crashed close to Port Soderick IOM. The breadcrumb trail from his record led to National Archives of Australia where the extensive Casualty files on the rest of the crew are archived.

Ross

It would seem that there was an extensive Inquiry on the Isle of Man, as to why Avro Anson N5026 (J2) crashed, with an eyewitness account from Eric Faragher, Advocate, of Glencrutchery Road, Douglas, who went to the Police Station and reported what he saw and heard and two Policemen were sent to locate the aircraft.

The engines were inspected and on one of them, the propeller boss had sheared. As the propeller revolved, the head of the bolt came into contact with the nuts on the engine thrust cover, immediately behind the propeller boss, causing intense vibration and the sound like machine gun fire (from Steve Poole's research book, 1999).
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My Wife and I went to Andreas Church in 2002 to see the Service Plot and we saw the grave of Thelma Kersley, a Civilian, (claimed by CWGC to be due to Enemy Action 23rd August 1942), buried with RAF and Army losses, lost on the same day..

Thelma was with the unofficial crew of Whitley BD417, which had been taken (in effect) from P/O Thomas Tennyson, by Wing Commander Knowles, CO of RAF Andreas for a circuit and a bump. P/O Tennyson was intimidated by Knowles. Knowles also took Army personnel and a few from the ground gun crews up too. Corporal Henderson, died at the 'Military Hospital at Onchan'. (Very summary notes from Steve Poole's book, 1999)

Knowles joy-ride ended in disaster with some of them killed, including Thelma Kersley, also known as Mrs Thelma Oliver.

My Wife took me to the Air Museum at Ronaldsway, who gave me Steve Poole's contact details, we made contact and I purchased his book Rough Landing or Fatal Flight, from "Pickwicks, Isle of Man". Steve had been through Civil records and wrote an A4 size 148 page book.

Mark

Added snippet from:-
Whitley, Armstrong Whitworth, Aircraft Crash Log No. 4

[BushInn1746]

Just a brief reference to the Commanding Officer, RAF Andreas accident, in AIR 27/1645

Form 540 ORB 296 Squadron

23.8.42 P/O THOMPSON; Glider Ferry Service to NORTHERN IRELAND. Glider adrift forced landed in sea, and was towed to Douglas Harbour I.O.M. by H.M. destroyer. - Accident to aircraft flown by C.O. R.A.F. ANDREAS.
 ...

Form 540, No. 296B Squadron/Glider Pilots' Exercise Unit

Netheravon
 ...
23.8.42 ... Sgt PETLEY piloted glider on ferry service to NORTHERN IRELAND. Made successful forced landing on the Irish Sea about 15 miles from the Isle of Man. All passengers unhurt, rescued by Destroyer and taken to Gourock.

26.8.42 ... Sgt Petley and passengers of glider returned from Gourock.

[rafcommands]

Thanks but this was not the reason I was looking at the Anson accident.

In response to a relative who asked the question on when the individual members of the crew originally met.

They supplied Sgt Henly service record and I was using the dates on this for previous units to cross check units for the RAAF members and determine scope for contact.

This I have done and replied.

Ross

Ross

[BushInn1746]

Hello Ross

I don't know if this is helpful or not, reference to Anson N5026, built by Avro at Chadderton, had a long and varied life, with numerous Squadrons & Units according to Mr Poole's book, which goes on to mention:-

... After about twelve months, N5026 was transferred to No. 27 OTU at Lichfield. In May, 1941, this unit was training night bomber crews, mainly Australian and New Zealand, using Wellingtons, as well as Ansons.

Whether there is a clue there, it does not say.

Mark

[BushInn1746]

The Anson, according to Steve Poole's book:- "During 1943, N5026 joined No. 5 AOS at Jurby, for a time, before going to No. 4 (O) AFU at West Freugh in June, 1943."

[rafcommands]

I repeat my interest was in the previous history of the men not the airframe and I have completed my task with reference to additional service record information from the NAA.

I do have access to primary documents on the Anson but none of that is relevant to the original thread - only as a passing explanation for my error.

Ross