During the night of 28th / 29th August 1942 the crew of this 406 Squadron aircraft were scrambled to intercept approaching enemy aircraft off the North East coast. They located and attacked a Dornier Do.217 some thirty miles East of Whitby at 23.00hrs. The combat resulted in the enemy aircraft being shot down into the North Sea but during the combat the Beaufighter was hit by the returning fire and the starboard engine put out of action. When they were returning to base the weather around Scorton was poor with visibility reduced, as they approached for a landing the aircraft struck the roof of Hollow Banks Farm, between Catterick Bridge and Scorton at 00.15hrs. Both airmen were killed as a result of the accident and part of the aircraft was seen sticking up from the roof of the house for a number of days until the wreckage was cleared. I thank the occupnats of the house for contacting me in 2016 and for the additional information that was provided.
Beaufighter X8222 had a short service history, it was built to contract B.65570/40 by The Bristol Aeroplane Co.Ltd, at Old Mixon and was awaiting collection in June 1942. It was taken on charge soon after completion by 406 Squadron based at Scorton. As a result of this crash on 29th August 1942 Cat.E2/FB damage was recorded and the aircraft was written off.
Pilot - F/Lt John Robert Browning Firth RAFVR (62009), aged 27, of Hove, Sussex. Buried Streatham Park Cemetery, Surrey.
Radio Operator / Navigator - P/O Frederick George Harding RAFVR (118927), aged 24, of New Eltham. Buried Eltham Cemetery, London.
John Firth was born on 4th June 1915. He received a commission on 9th March 1941 to the rank of P/O on probation and rose to F/O (war subs) on 9th March 1942. It seems likely that his rank upon his death was Acting F/Lt as there is no record of him being promoted to the full rank prior to his death.
Frederick Harding was born on 18th July 1918 and received a commission on 20th March 1942 to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency). He died at Catterick Military Hospital thirty minutes after the crash occurred.
This photograph shows both airman, Fred Harding on the left and John Firth on the right. Photograph via Mr Jim Rutland.