On 5th August 1940 this unidentified 219 Squadron aircraft crashed on landing at Catterick airfield, the damage was later repaired. The incident was very similar to Blenheim L1168 which crashed at Catterick on the same day but as both incidents are listed in the squadron records it must relate to two incidents.
Pilot - Sgt Thomas Birkett RAFVR (87634).
Thomas Birkett sadly would not see the end of 1940. This incident detailed above was his second mishap at Catterick, he also slightly damaged Blenheim L1109 at Catterick on 30th July 1940 and then a further mishap while flying a Blenheim from St.Athan to Catterick on 29th August 1940, the aircraft was force landed with mechanical trouble at Sywell. He was killed in a flying accident in Beaufighter R2071 on 13th November 1940 which crashed near Edenbridge, Kent, he was twenty six years old and is buried in Chew Magna Churchyard, Somerset. I was sent the photograph of him some time ago and although the original source is not known it appears to be taken from a group photograph and a version of this is to be found on "www.bbm.org.uk". They may hold the copyright, I therefore credit them and if required will remove this photograph.