On 29th September 1952 this 263 Squadron aircraft had just taken off from Middleton St.George to return to the home airfield of Wattisham. Soon after take-off the aircraft struck pylons and crashed near Swainby, just two minutes into the flight. Wreckage was spread over a wide area, close to what was Mr Bill Cowley's house near Potto Hill Farm, Swainby. The pilot was sadly killed. The resulting explosion made a large crater in the field which was later back filled.
Meteor WH472 was built to contract 6/ACFT/5621 by the Gloster Aircraft Co. Ltd. and was delivered to the RAF in February 1952. After acceptance it was issued to 263 Squadron at Wattisham on an unknown date. The aircraft was destroyed following the incident at Swainby on 29th September 1952. Cat.5(s)/FA damage being recorded after assessment.
Pilot - P/O Alan Edward Aggett RAF (579702), aged 24. Buried St Andrews Churchyard, Newton Abbott, Devon.
Alan Aggett was born on 2nd November 1927 at Newtown, Devon and was the son of Edward William Edwards and Alice Maud (nee Burgess) Aggett. He was granted a short service commission in the RAF on 14th November 1951 as a Pilot Officer and put on the active service list for eight years and four years on the reserve.
After the accident much wreckage was to be seen in this field and in the field behind the hedge centre left.