Oxford V4036 at Finningley airfield.
On the 21st of September 1941 the pilot of this aircraft was taking off using instruments at Finningley in poor visibility when, at 09.19hrs
the aircraft drifted off course and crashed into a hanger. Sadly two of the three on board were killed.
Pilot - P/O Richard F Keighley RAFVR (86324), aged 23, of Seaton, Hornsea. Buried Hornsea Cemetery, Yorkshire.
S/Ldr Arthur J F Churchill RAF (37036), aged 27, of Furzeham, Brixham, Devon. Buried Finningley Churchyard, Yorkshire.
F/Sgt E Growes, injured, suffered shock.
Richard Keighley's grave in Hornsea Cemetery. He was commissioned on 10th August 1940 from the rank of Sgt but with
seniority back dated six days.
CWGC list him as P/O on his grave but the London Gazette gives him a promotion to F/O (War Subs) on 10th August 1941
(again with seniority back dated six days). Technically the rank on his gravestone is therefore incorrect.
Arthur Churchill was appointed to a short service commission in the RAF as Acting P/O on probation in October 1935
and posted to 9 Squadron at Boscombe Down on 14th October 1935. He rose to acting F/O on 19th April 1937 (made permenant in February 1938)
and then to acting F/Lt on 20th May 1938 and permenant F/Lt on 19th April 1939. He rose to temporary S/Ldr in September 1940.