On 4th October 1941 the pilot of this Spitfire was carrying out a dusk patrol off the Yorkshire Coast. It was thought that the aircraft's radio had failed prior to the aircraft crashing at 18.40hrs near Scalby. The aircraft flew into the ground at a shallow angle and caught fire and the pilot killed in the impact. Bad weather and bad light was reported at the time of the crash and it seems likely that he didn't see the ground, and perhaps thinking he was out to sea he descended and simply flew into the ground.
I have yet to locate the exact place where the aircraft crashed. There are two map references stating differing locations, one being near a "West Head Farm", probably a type error for "Wrea Head", the other seems to suggest the aircraft came down closer to Scalby. If there is anyone who can tell me where this aircraft did come down I would very much like to learn of the correct location.
Pilot - P/O Charles Rawdon Keith Fry RAFVR (101570), aged 19, of Seaford, Sussex. Buried Horley, Surrey,
The pilot had 54 of his 131 hours total flying time on the Spitfire when this accident occured. He was received his commission to the rank of P/O on probation 9th July 1941. Nothing more is known about him.
Spitfire P8678 was built to contract B981687/39/CB/23(C) by Vickers Armstrongs Ltd at Castle Bromwich and delivered to the RAF in June 1941. After acceptance it was issued to 542 Squadron at Kenley in July 1941 but quickly moved onto 129 Squadron at Leconfield in August 1941 when this unit begain re-equipping with Mk.IIA's. It's Squadron left Leconfield on 28th August 1941 for Westhampnett taking with it only it's Spitfire Mk.Vb's and Vc's, leaving it's Mk.IIA aircraft to 610 Squadron who moved into Leconfield from Westhampnett on the same day. The aircraft suffered Cat.E2/FA damage in the incident detailed above and was written off.