Unidentified Buffalo deliberately damaged at Church Fenton airfield.
On an unknown date in October 1940 three unidentified 71 Squadron Buffalo aircraft were deliberately "crashed" onto Church Fenton airfield to write them off. The reason for
this is not known. The identity of the aircraft is within the series of Brewster Buffalo's AS410 to AS437, which is a reasonably small number of aircraft in the
batch. Five of the aircraft became instructional airframes, those being AS410, AS411, AS414, AS429 and AS430. AS414 has been previously listed on this website,
so this can be ruled out but if damage was only slight then these three Buffalo's may have become instructional airframes but why intentionally damage them?
Pilot - Sgt Royce Clifford Wilkinson DFM and Bar, RAF (564450), of Mexborough, Yorkshire.
He was given a number of awards for his service, firstly the DFM and Bar to the DFM were Gazetted on the same date, 28th May 1940, the Citation for the DFM reads..
"This airman pilot has shot down five enemy aircraft and has displayed a very fine offensive spirit, coupled with a sense of resolute leadership."
The Citation for the Bar to the DFM reads.. "This airman pilot has led his flight on several occasions and once led the whole squadron on an offensive patrol,
during which they not only brought down a number of enemy aircraft but returned without loss. He also led an attack on an enemy motor transport column, blowing
up an ammunition lorry and setting two petrol tankers on fire, in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire. He has recently shot down four enemy aircraft bringing
his total to nine, and has at all times displayed courage and good leadership."
Royce Wilkinson was born in November 1913, he had initially joined the RAF in January 1930 and saw service overseas from 1933 onwards. In 1936 he applied for pilot
training and gained his Wings in May 1937. 71 Squadron was formed on 21st October 1940 which he was a founder member. He later transferred to 121 Squadron on its
formation on 14th May 1941 and then on to 174 Squadron in March 1942 which he commanded. In May 1942 he was flying to Spain when he was forced to bale out of Hurricane
BE674. He evaded capture thanks to Madame Duhamel and arrived back in England through Gibraltar and joined 1 Squadron in August 1942. In 1944 he was posted to Australia
and later was given a role at the Air Ministry. W/C Wilkinson left the RAF in 1946 having first been awarded the DSO, and CdeG. He was later awarded the OBE and died
in 1990. His hometown of Mexborough recogized his service and erected a special plaque in his honour in 2000.