Spitfire P8044 which crashed in Bransdale was named "Canadian First Division" when it served with 41 Squadron (photograph via Mr Jim Rutland).
On 28th October 1941 the pilot of this aircraft was returning to base at Catterick with at least one other aircraft, his leader, following the
completion of a convoy patrol. This pilot was believed to have lost control when flying in cloud and on transferring from formation visual flying
to flying on instruments. The aircraft dived into the ground at 17.30hrs and caught fire. The pilot's oxygen pipes may have frozen and he passed
out through lack of oxygen. The aircraft came down in Bransdale, in a field just south of Bransdale Mill and the pilot is believed to have been
killed instantly.
After speaking to two former Bransdale residents in 2003 it became clear that they recalled this crash occuring. Mr Ken Luck
told me that he remembered an aircraft crashed near the Mill, it was on a foggy Saturday in 1941, in a field between Colt House
and the river and somewhere near a small footbridge. It was a very foggy day but the aircraft was heard circling for a time before a
loud bang was heard as it struck the ground. A farmer, Mr Strick Teasdale, from nearby Colt House tried to get the pilot out
of the aircraft but was beaten back by the flames. Soldiers who were camped at Bransdale Lodge were soon on the scene to guard
the wreck but nothing could be done for the pilot. (The now late) Mrs F Leng of Helmsley also had similar memories recounted to her
by her late husband of a crash in the same locality.
Spitfire P8044 was built to contract B981687/39/CB/23(C) by Vickers Armstrongs Ltd at Castle Bromwich and delivered to the RAF in January 1941.
After acceptance it was issued to 41 Squadron at Catterick in February 1941, it later transferred to 145 Squadron when the unit moved into Catterick
on 28th July 1941 when 41 Squadron left for Merston. It sustained Cat.E2/FA damage in the incident detailed above.
Pilot - P/O Henry L M Young RCAF (J/15006), aged 23, of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. Buried Catterick Cemetery, Yorkshire.
Henry Young was born on 5th April 1918 and had trained with 4 FTS, he was given his Wings in January 1941. He had a total of 367 flying hours at
the time of his death, with 124 hours being on that type of Spitfire, all of which were in the last six months of his life.
He was married to Gwendolyn Edna Young.
The aircraft crashed into one of the fields to the right of the photograph and in the foreground.
Thanks to Mr Ken Luck and (now late) Mrs F Leng for recounting their memories to me with regard this incicident.