Blenheim N3538 near Thorp Arch.
During the morning of 13th March 1942 the crew in this 17 O.T.U. aircraft took off from Upwood airfield in and were tasked with undertaking a daytime cross-country training exercise. The aircraft began to suffer from a problem with the engines while over Yorkshire. At 09.15hrs the pilot was attempting to force land the aircraft near Thorp Arch when the aircraft struck electricity cables near Thorp Arch church.
On a previous version of this webpage I had stated that the aircraft was being flown on a night-time training flight but if it crashed at 09.15hrs it was daylight. In the time it took me to correct this glaring error the same text has been copied to other websites :) , clearly people need to do their own research.
Blenheim N3538 was built to contract 588371/36 by A.V. Roe & Co. Ltd. at Chadderton and was awaiting collection in March 1940. It was taken on charge by 21 Squadron at Watton shortly after being completed and served with them during the Battle of France in May / June 1940. On 24th June 1940 21 Squadron withdrew to Lossiemouth. The published Air Britain record of this aircraft's history does not specify the date when the aircraft transferred to 17 OTU at Upwood. As a result of the crash near Thorp Arch on 13th March 1942 Cat.E2/FA Burnt was the assessment.
Pilot - Sgt William Curlet RAF (610946), aged 22, of Kilbirnie. Buried Kilbirnie Burial Ground, Ayrshire.
Observer - P/O John Douglas Lamb McColl RAFVR (116737), aged 20, of Glasgow. Buried Kirkby Wharfe Cemetery, Yorkshire.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Eric Johnson RAFVR (1062598), aged 21, of Warrington. Buried Hill Cliffe Baptist Cemetery, Warrington, Cheshire.
P/O McColl's gravestone at Kirkby Wharfe Cemetery, Yorkshire. He received a commission on 13th September 1941 to P/O on probation (emergency).
