On 11th August 1942 this No.6 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit aircraft crashed just after it had taken off from Thornaby airfield for a night flying exercise. The crash location stated in various documentations differs from "two miles south of the airfield", "Thornaby Vale" and a location just of the south west end of the airfield's perimeter. The three on board were killed in the crash and the aircraft was destroyed.
Hudson T9355 was built by Lockheed-Vega at Burbank, California and was purchased without contract by the B.P.C. It was delivered by ship to the UK in September 1940 and was issue to 24 MU on 21st September 1940. It was then taken on charge by 220 Squadron at Thornaby on 14th November 1940. The aircraft received a No.43 Group Damage Assessor's visit on 28th June 1941 which must have been for some form of damage sustained. Once servicable it was transferred to No.1 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit on 3rd July 1941. It was then transferred to No.6 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit on 5th August 1941. It was with this unit for a year and following the crash near Thornaby on 11th August 1942 Cat.E/FA damage was the damage assessment. It was struck off charge the following day.
Pilot - F/Sgt Mervyn Albert Thomas Burns RAFVR (1208640), aged 27. Buried Thornbury Cemetery, Glocestershire.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Eric Newcombe RAFVR (1066475), aged 22. Buried St.Helens Cemetery, Lancashire.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Edward Patrick Monaghan RAFVR (1112976), aged 21. Buried Accrington Cemetery, Lancashire.
Sgt Eric Newcombe's gravestone in St.Helens Cemetery with the sun in completely the wrong place to make the lettering visible.