Beaufighter X7569 near Church Fenton.
On 8th October 1942 the crew of this 25 Squadron aircraft were having trouble with the propeller constant speed unit on one of the engines of their aircraft and the aircraft
was flying too low as they approached for a night landing at Church Fenton. The aircraft struck the chimney of a farm house around half a mile from the airfield and
crashed at 21.08hrs, the pilot lost his life and the navigator was seriously injured.
Pilot - F/Sgt Henry Lyons Middlemast RAFVR (1284380), aged 22, of Stanley. Buried Stanley New Cemetery, Durham.
Navigator / Radar Operator - F/Sgt D McCracken RAF. Injured.
Both airmen were involved in damaging a Junkers Ju88 near Selby, Yorkshire on 12th August 1942. Nothing more is known about either men.
Beaufighter X7569 was built to contract B.65570/40 by The Bristol Aeroplane Co. Ltd., at Old Mixon, Weston-super-Mare and was awaiting collection in March 1941. It was initially placed in MU storage until 9th August 1941 when it was taken on charge by 25 Squadron at Wittering. The aircraft then moved with the squadron on 24th January 1942 to Ballyhalbert and then on 16th May 1942 with the unit to Church Fenton. As a result of the crash on 8th October 1942 Cat.E2/FA was recorded after assessment and it was written off.