On 28th September 1942 the crew of this aircraft were undertaking a training flight which included practicing beam flying in the foggy conditions that were present on this day. As it approached Finningley airfield in the fog it was flying low. The aircraft hit a tree and crashed on the approach to land at Finningley airfield at 09.35hrs. Neither pilots were strapped in and both were seriously injured and all three airmen were treated in Doncaster hospital for their injuries but the two pilots named below were so seriously injured that they died in the hours that followed. The last named suffered a broken leg and it is believed that he made a recovery.
Instructor Pilot - P/O Basil Gordon Tree DFM RAFVR (117991), aged 25, of Cottingham, Hull, Yorkshire. Buried Cottingham Cemetery, Hull, Yorkshire.
Pupil Pilot - Sgt Hector Gordon Roch McCosker RAAF (413023), aged 23, of Cherry Tree Hill, Inverell, New South Wales, Australia. Buried Finningley Churchyard Extension, Yorkshire.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - F/Sgt E Chamberlain RAF (551836). Injured, broken leg.
Oxford V4035 was built to contract B.55347/39 by The Standard Motor Co. Ltd. at Canley and was awaiting collection in July 1941. It was taken on charge by No.7 Beam Approach Training Flight at Finningley on 14th August 1941 and this unit was re-designated 1507 B.A.T. Flight on 31st October 1941. As a result of the crash on 28th September 1942 the aircraft was written off with Cat.E2/FA damage recorded.
Basil Tree worked as a wireless mechanic for the firm of Sydney Scarborough and was a member of the Hull Aero Club and became a glider pilot before joining the RAF at the start of the War. Sgt Basil Tree (741933) was awarded the DFM for service with 49 Squadron, Gazetted on 21st November 1941, though no citation has been located. He received his commission on 6th March 1942 to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency). He was married to Joyce Rapsey of Hull and his father was a former manager of the Elder Nurseries in Cottingham.
Sgt Hector McCosker's grave at Finningley. The McCosker family sadly lost another son, Private Leo McCosker, Australian Infantry on 9th February 1942. He is buried in Kranji War Cemetery, Singapore and was twenty seven years old.