On 16th October 1941 the crew of this aircraft were undertaking a naviagtion exercise with No.2 Air Observer School when both engines cut out in the Ravenglass area. The pilot force landed the
aircraft at 13.00hrs near or in Broad Quarry, Ravenglass and was badly damaged. Two of the five crew sustained injuries. It was later found that the fuel cocks had been set
in the wrong position resulting in the fuel in the selected tanks running out leaving a full tank of fuel unselected.
Botha L6425 was built to contract 583994/36 by Blackburns and was delivered to 48 MU on 8th August 1940. It was returned to Blackburns on 2nd May 1941 then returned to 48 MU on 27th May 1941.
The aircraft was then taken on charge by No.2 Bombing and Gunnery School on 9th June 1941 which was later remained No.2 Air Observer School. As a result of the crash at Ravenglass on 16th October 1941
the damaged was assessed as Cat.E/FA and it was struck off charge on 24th October 1941.
Pilot - Sgt William Alfred Beadle RAFVR (746917). Seriously injured.
Observer (U/T) - LAC Arthur Staff RAFVR (1031421). Slightly injured.
? - AC2 Donald Edward Chapman RAFVR (1211352). Slightly injured.
? - LAC Leonard Naylor RAFVR (1135620). Uninjured.
? - LAC J H Stuffins (Probably Observer (U/T) - LAC James Horace Stuffins RAFVR (1272230)). Uninjured.
William Beadle was born on 4th July 1920 at Barking, Essex and was the son of William Henry and Maud (nee Mager) Beadle. In the 1921 Census his father is
listed as a Petty Officer 1st class, Royal Navy and serving at Chatham. William Junior received a commission on 28th February 1944 to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency)(173322) and was promoted to F/O (war subs) on 28th August 1944.
After completing his training he was posted to 125 Squadron flying Mosquitos and was credited with shooting down three enemy aircraft (23rd April - Do217, 24th June - Ju88,
and 25th October 1944 - He111). The Imperial War Museum website shows gun camera footage of his first "kill" in April 1944 against a Dornier Do.217. His regular Navigator
/ Radar Operator for all three of these victories was F/O Ronald Albert Pargeter RAFVR (145039). He remained in the RAFVR after the War initially in the Training Branch
but his service gets a little confusing with the many entries in the London Gazette which mention his service. He was appointed to the RAF (AAF) on 11th June 1947, he
transferred to the reserve of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force on 25th October 1949 and resigned his commission of F/O in the RAFVR Training Branch on 30th April 1950.
He finally reliquished his commission in the Auxiliary Reserve of Officers on 11th June 1957. He died in 1986.
On 27th March 1941 while training at 15 E.F.T.S. at Kingstown, Carlisle an LAC Beadle was flying Magister R1966 when he lost control in cloud and crashed into the
Solway Firth. I link him with possibly being then same William Beadle as described above.
Arthur Staff was born on 24th March 1915 at Easington, Durham and was the son of Arthur and Jane (nee Clasper) Staff. By the time the 1921 Census was made the family were
living at Murton Colliery, Durham. He married Martha Broxson in Durham in 1939. He was later posted to 7 Squadron as a Navigator. On 21st December 1942 he was flying in
Stirling BF358 on Ops to Munich when the aircraft crashed in France with the loss of all on board. He is buried at Void Communal Cemetery, Meuse, France.
Donald Chapman was born on 27th April 1919 at Brampton, near Carlisle and was the son of David T and Violet E (nee ) Chapman. His father was originally from Wales. When the 1939 Register was
compiled the family were living at Hucknall, Nottinghamshire and his father was a full time member of the RAF Observer Corps. Donald was to receive a commission in January 1945 and was promoted
to F/O by the time his RAF service ended. He died in London in 1990.
James Stuffins was posted to 37 Squadron in 1942. On the night of 7th / 8th September 1942 he was flying in Wellington DV457 that flew into a hill in Egypt on return from an operational
flight to bomb Tobruk. He survived but two members of his then crew died. He was the son of John Robert and Mary Stuffins, of Port Sunlight, Cheshire and was born on 12th September 1916.
The location of where this incident occurred in Cumbria has not yet been found. If you can assist please contact me
HERE. Thank you.
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