Blenheim L8731 near Church Fenton airfield.
On 8th November 1939 this aircraft crashed just after take-off at night for a night flying formation practice near Rose Farm, Church Fenton sadly
killing the pilot when the aircraft flew into trees. There are mixed reports that there were also two others on board who were also killed, certainly one died four days later of his injuries on 12th November 1939..
It is thought that the pilot had raised the
flaps too early after take off and the aircraft then failed to climb and struck trees some 700 yards from the airfield near Rose Farm, Church Fenton.
Pilot - P/O Desmond Charles Reid Carter RAF (40604), aged 27, of Eltham, Taranaki, New Zealand. Buried Kirkby Wharfe Cemetery, Yorkshire.
Air Gunner - LAC Geoffrey George James Lovegrove RAF (527690), aged 23, of Northgate, Wakefield. Buried Wakefield Cemetery, Yorkshire (Sec.C/597).
P/O Carter's gravestone. He was granted a short service Commission to the rank of Acting P/O on probation with effect of 26th March 1938, he
was confirmed in the rank and graded as P/O on 17th January 1939.
Blenheim L8731 was built to contract 551920/37 by Rootes Securities Ltd at Speke and delivered to 64 Squadron who were based at Church Fenton in August 1939. The aircraft sustained severe damage in the incident detailed above and Cat.W/FA damage was recorded, the aircraft was written off.