The pilot of this Audux, S/Ldr Ambler, is shown far left, behind is a 608 Squadron Demon.
On 11th July 1937 the engine of this aircraft cut out after take-off from Thornaby airfield.
The pilot force-landed the aircraft in a field nearby damaging it and it was later written off. The pilot
would later rise to the very top of the RAF command.
Pilot - S/Ldr Geoffrey H Ambler RAF (90296), of Bradford, Yorkshire. Uninjured.
Observer? - AC Norman "Jock" Cameron RAF(aux) (755392). of Aycliffe. Slightly injured.
Norman Cameron was born on 4th July 1917, he was involved in a previous incident to this one
on 1st March 1936 when the aircraft he was in, possibly a 608 Squadron Wapiti, crashed into
a freshly cut cornfield near Muggleswade, near Consett, Durham. The aircraft overturned
and he sustained a head injury. Following this incident recorded above at Thornaby he recovered and served as a wireless operator /
air gunner with the RAFVR, in 103 Squadron in Bomber Command and was involved in three accidents flying in
Wellingtons. One on 9th January 1941 flying in Wellington R3215 which crashed in Wales. On
10th February 1941 the same crew were in Wellington T2610 which was hit by flak and
ditched in the North Sea after an engine cut out. He sustained injuries in this incident and only returned to
operational flying in April 1943 when he was posted to 276 squadron. After the war he remained in the RAF
and on 5th November 1949 he baled out of Wellington NA827 over Pocklington, Yorkshire after the crew became
lost on a training flight and ran out of fuel. He again was injured. He later assisted in the book "Black Swan, a history of 103 Squadron" by Sid Finn. He died in July 1981.
The life of Geoffrey Hill Ambler is well documented on the internet. At the time of the incident above he was
in command of 608 Squadron, a job he relinquished on 30th October 1938 and the unit he had served with since being
commissioned. He would later rise to the rank of Air Vice Marshal Ambler CB, CBE, AFC. He was born in 1904 and educated at Cambridge but returned
home to work for his families Fred Ambler Limited in Bradford. In 1931 he joined the RAF and joined 608 Squadron where he rose through the ranks.
In 1938 he left 608 Squadron and became 609 Squadron's commanding officer. He later took up a commanding role at Wick before being placed in charge
of the ROC in June 1942. After the War he retired from the RAF and returned to the family business. He was later appointed as an Honourary Air
Commodore to 609 Squadron. He died on 26th August 1978.
Audax K3768 was built to contract 246267/33 by Hawker at Kingston and allocated to Fighting Area for 41 Squadron on the 23rd
June 1934. It was later transferred for use in the Middle East on 10th October 1935 but returned to the UK to 1 ASU
on 11 November 1936. It was issueed to 608 Squadron on 15th January 1937 and suffered Cat.W/FA in the incident detailed above.
It was struck off charge on 4th September 1937.