Spitfire PK595 near Bampton.

On Sunday, 20th August 1950 a number of 607 Squadron Spitfires were undertaking a training flight, probably as training prior to taking part in the upcoming Battle of Britain "At Home" display. The pilot of one aircraft, Spitfire PK393, attemptd to force land in a field near Alnwick, Northumberland buthe sustaining injuries and the aircraft was badly damaged. The other aircraft in the formation continued their flight but ran into poor weather. The pilot of Spitfire PK595 became seperated from the rest of the formation and found himself lost in bad visibility. This aircraft eventually ran out of fuel in the Penrith area so the pilot tried to baled out. The aircraft must have been in a dive at the time and went on to crash near Bampton, close to the foot of Knipe Scar. The pilot did not survived the jump and was killed, his body was found near the aircraft. The parachute was found open but that the cord had not been pulled, it was assumed that the pilot may have struck the tail of the aircraft as he left it.

Pilot - P2 Edward Albert Carter RAF (2685591), aged 26. Cremated Newcastle (West Road).


Edward Carter was probably the son of John George and Hannah Elizabeth (nee Coulson) Carter. If this is the correct family then he had two older sisters, his father was born in Colchester, Essex and his mother was from Slaley, Northumblerland. His eldest sister was born at Allendale in 1918, while his younger sister was born at Birtley, Durham. In the 1921 Census his family were living at Gateshead but his father was listed as an unemployed sheet metal worker. Edward was born in the Gateshead area or Durham so presumably his father was working there at the time. By the time the 1939 Register was compiled Edward was not living with the family though they were living at Gateshead. Edward had been in the RAF as a regular member up until a few months before this incident. He was working as a railway clerk and living at Watson Street, Walker at the time of his death.
The location of where this incident occurred has not yet been found. If you can assist please contact me HERE. Thank you.

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