Defiant V1180 near Grenoside, Sheffield.
On 20th August 1941 this 60 O.T.U. aircraft took off from East Fortune airfield at 10.40hrs to fly a cross country training flight to Church Fenton with a pilot and an air gunner on board. At 11.30hrs the aircraft was over Darlington and the pilot was unsure of his position so, at 12.00hrs, he successfully landed at an airfield near Darlington (probably Middleton St.George or Croft?). Having been told where he was and informing Church Fenton that he was going to proceed he took off. The correct fuel for the aircraft was unavailable at the airfield near Darlington but there was enough in the tank to make the flight. The aircraft flew south but completely missed Church Fenton. People on the ground near Darlington appear to have suggested that he followed the east coast main railway line south but he stated that he was unable to locate it. Having continued south the aircraft flew into an area with barrage balloons present, so with fuel running out, he selected a field to make a forced landing in. At 13.35hrs in attempting to force land the engine cut out and the aircraft flew into trees. Both crew sustained minor injuries. The aircraft had crashed some fifty yards from Grenoside (Wortley Union) Workhouse, and near Holme Lane Farm north west of Sheffield.
Defiant V1180 was built to contract B.34864/39 by Boulton & Paul Ltd. at Wolverhampton and was awaiting collection in June 1941. It
was taken on charge by 60 OTU at East Fortune later the same month when the unit moved in from Leconfield to concentrate on Defiant conversion flights. As a result of the accident near Sheffield Cat.E2/FA damage was recorded and it was written off.
Pilot - Sgt Walter Cyril Vatcher RAFVR (798550), of Rose Blanche, Newfoundland. Injured.
Air Gunner - Sgt James Matthew Thomans (or Thomas?) RAFVR (798547). Injured.
Walter Vatcher enlisted on 20th July 1940 in Canada. Following the incident near Sheffield on 20th August 1941 the accident investigation blamed his poor map reading ability and that special tuition was to be given to him. This must have happened and his ability improved. He was posted to 125 Squadron on 5th October 1941 flying Defiants, 125 Squadron was a unit formed for many Newfoundlanders to fly with, but having damaged two aircraft he was posted away by December 1941. He was Mentioned in Despatches on 1st January 1943 and later commissioned on 28th April 1943. Having served with 174 Squadron he was awarded the DFC (Gazetted 25th July 1944) for service with them. He lost his life during Operation Jerico, a famous low-level flight to attack the prison at Amiens. As F/O he was killed on 26th July 1944 with 174 Squadron flying Typhoon MN525 and is buried in Banneville-la-Campagne War Cemetery, France. He was twenty four years old.
James Thomans' name is listed under this spelling in the casualty file for the Defiant near Sheffield with a specific correction from Thomas to Thomans. His name is that spelt as Thomas in the London Gazette when he was awarded the DFM for service with 115 Squadron, Gazetted on 27th October 1942, for gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations. He was then awarded the DFC for service with 138 Squadron, a Special Duties / SOE squadron, Gazetted on 15th February 1944. His name needs to be correct on this account and I would welcome confirmation either way.