Beaufighter T4863 near Leven.
On 16th March 1942 this No.2 (C)O.T.U. aircraft was wrecked in an attempted forced-landing near Leven village rectory due to engine failing. Sadly the crew of two were killed in the accident
and the investigation believed that the crew had made an error in selecting the wrong fuel tanks which caused the engines to become starved of fuel.
Beaufighter T4863 was built to contract B.41906/39 by The Fairey Aviation Co. Ltd. at Heaton Chapel, Stockport and was awaiting collection in September 1941. The date it was taken on charge by 2 (C)O.T.U. at Catfoss isn't listed in the Air Britain service history books. As a result of the damage sustained at Leven on 16th March 1942 Cat.E2/FA damage was the assessment and it was written off.
Pilot - Sgt Ronald Wilfred Leach RCAF (R/85052), aged 20, of Indian Head, Saskatchewan, Canada. Buried Brandesburton Churchyard, Yorkshire.
Wireless Operator / Observer - Sgt David Joshua Levy RAFVR (948031), aged 23, of Cheetham, Lancashire. Buried Blackley Jewish Cemetery, Lancashire.
Sgt Ronald Leach and his grave in Brandesburton Churchyard, Yorkshire (photo of Sgt Leach found on "www.svwm.ca". CWGC does not list his personal details however additional
research reveals that he was was born in Indian Head, Saskatchewan on 18th June 1921 and was the son of Arthur and Lilian Leach. Arthur's father also called Arthur had left the
Isle of Wight in 1886 and worked as Indian Head postmaster between 1906 and 1949 and Arthur Junior took on the position between 1949 and 1955. Ronald's mother was born in England.
Ronald Leach enlisted in Regina in December 1940 and was a student at the time. After initial training he was awarded his Wings on 1st September 1941. On arrival in the UK in
late-1941 he was initially posted to 3 OTU on 23rd December 1941 however appears to have been in error as on 29th December 1941 he was posted to Catfoss and on 1st January 1942
his service record states he begun his time at 2 (c)OTU at Catfoss. Leach Island in the Macoun Lake is named in his honour.
David Levy was born on 19th May 1918 in Cheetham, in the Prestwich area of Lancashire to Solomon and Jane Levy, he was the youngest of five children but sadly his mother died
soon after his birth and he was brought up by his father (and later his step-mother after his father re-married). CWGC list no family details for him on their online database
but thanks to his niece Mrs Helen Offman contacting me in June 2014 this information is known and photographs shown above have been added. I thank her for kindly contacting
me and supplying this information. The Hebrew wording on his gravestone reads.."The light of our lives grew dark in the afternoon. Our eyes will shed bitter tears. G-d took to
Himself to the heavens. Beloved son and brother of youth".
