On 24th September 1942 the trainee pilot of this aircraft lost control during a training flight as part of the training programme with 2 (C)OTU. He was undertaking a series of take-offs and landings when, on one of the take-offs, from Catfoss airfield the aircraft swung towards the hangers. The pilot lifted the nose up to clear the hangers but then crashed. Sadly the pilot was killed in the accident.
In a letter from a another pilot who was undertaking the same exercise to the father of the pilot killed he gave more details about the accident.."the first plane we came to was Leslie's so I left him and looked for mine. I heard Les start his engines, then starting mine I taxied out and was the first off the ground. Les came next but seemed to be having trouble with his engines, for halfway on the take off his engine cut and he stopped and started it again. The second time he swung rather badly but managed to take off. He then flew around for about twenty minutes and landed. The third time he swung again but became airborne and then swung around toward the hangars. He must have pulled the nose up to clear the hangars but stalled and dived into the ground. Les was thrown clear and didn't seem to be badly hurt or cut, but when the Medical Officer came he said that death was instantaneous."
Pilot - Sgt John Leslie Johnson RAFVR (1029670), aged 30, of Bruntcliffe, Morley, Yorkshire. Buried Morley Cemetery, Yorkshire.
Beaufighter T3332 was built to contract B.30264/39 by The Bristol Aeroplane Co. Ltd. at Filton and was awaiting collection in July 1941. It was taken on charge shortly after by 248 Squadron at Bircham Newton and moved with tem to Dyce on 17th February 1942. On an unknown date it was transferred to 235 Squadron who were also operating out of Dyce but in May 1942 235 Squadron ceased operating Beaufighter MkIc's so this aircraft was transferred to 2 (C)OTU at Catfoss. As a result of the crash on 24th September 1942 Cat.E2/FA damage was the result of the damage assessment and it was written off.
Sgt Johnson's gravestone in Morley Cemetery, Leeds.
I include a mention of AC1 Charles Fletcher RAFVR (1537604) on this page as his service needs a mention. I had initially linked his death as resulting from the Beaufighter T3332 incident a few days earlier and since creating the original webpage my incorrect information was copied by others to their websites. Including the reference here should help clear up how he sadly lost his life. Charles Fletcher was seriously injured as the result of a motorcycle accident on 28th September 1942 at Leven whilst taking DRLS to Leconfield. He was taken to Beverley Base Hospital but sadly died of his injuries the following day. He was thirty seven years old, from Wakefield, Yorkshire and is buried Sandal Magna Churchyard, Yorkshire.