Beaufighter T4798 at Catfoss airfield.
On 8th May 1942 this No.2 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit aircraft suffered a failure of the port engine when the pilot was undertaking a training flight. At 09.55hrs the pilot attempted a hurried landing at Catfoss but the pilot was forced to fly an overshot as another aircraft got too close to this aircraft whilst taking off. During the overshoot, the aircraft stalled and spun into ground on the eastern side of the airfield. It was thought that the aircraft climbed too steeply. The pilot of the aircraft that had taken off had been flashed red signals that should have meant that he was not clear to do so, but he took off disregarding these orders.
Beaufighter T4798 was built to contract B.41906/39 by The Fairey Aviation Co. Ltd. at Heaton Chapel, Stockport and was awaiting collation in August 1941. The records state that it only served with 2 (C)OTU but the date it was taken on charge by them is not given. As a result of the crash near Catfoss on 8th May 1942 Cat.E2/FA damage was recorded.
Pilot - Sgt Lionel Leslie Cartwright RAFVR (1212379), aged 21. Buried Swindon Churchyard, Staffordshire.
Wireless Operator / Observer - Sgt Maurice Howard Vincent RAFVR (1181842), aged 20. Buried Andover Cemetery, Hampshire.
Lionel Cartwright was born on 22nd December 1920 at Dudley, Staffordshire and was the son
of Edward Harold and Lily Cartwright.
Maurice Vincent was born on 15th May 1921 at Andover, Hampshire and was the son of Harry Taylor and Cathaine Sarah (nee Stanmore) Vincent. Maurice Vincent's brother Sgt George Vincent RAFVR (1180892) was also killed in the War, he was serving with 44 Squadron on 8th February 1943 flying in Lancaster W4832 on Ops to the Lorient when the aircraft crashed off the French Coast. His body was never found, he was thirty years old and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.