On 6th September 1942 the trainee pilot of this aircraft was taking off from Leconfield at night to undertake a training flight, after climbing to 200 feet he then made a sharp turn but then began a dive towards the ground. He partly regained control but the aircraft then stalled and crashed at 23.15hrs. The pilot was killed and the aircraft destroyed.
Oxford R6379 was built to contract B.20356/39 by the De Havilland Aircraft Co. Ltd. at Hatfield and was awaiting collection in August 1940. It was initially placed in MU storage for a lengthy period before being taken on charge by 15 SFTS at Kidlington on 2nd February 1942. Later that month the unit moved to Leconfield taking R6379 with it. On 1st March 1942 15 SFTS was re-designated 15 PAFU and it remained at Leconfield. As a result of the crash on 6th September 1942 Cat.E2/FA damage was recorded and the aircraft was written off.
Pilot - Sgt Frederick Samuel Diplock RAFVR (1078336), aged 27, of Belfast, Northern Ireland. Buried Drumbeg Churchyard, County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
Sgt Fred Diplock, photograph found on an internet forum posted by "The Dragon".