Blenheim L1109 at Catterick airfield.

On 30th July 1940 this 219 Squadron aircraft sustained damage to its undercarriage on take off from Catterick, on the return to base the pilot belly landed it at 13.20hrs. The crew escaped injury.

Pilot - Sgt Thomas Birkett RAFVR (741782). Uninjured.

Passenger (/Pilot) - Sgt Edward Richard Lacey RAFVR (800662). Uninjured.

Thomas Birkett joined the RAFVR in or around July 1939 as a trainee pilot, upon completion of his training he was posted to 219 Squadron. This incident detailed above was his second known mishap at Catterick, he also slightly damaged Blenheim L1168 at Catterick on 5th August 1940 and then flying a Blenheim from St.Athan to Catterick he was forced to land at Sywell on 29th August 1940 after suffering mechanical trouble. He received his commission to P/O on 10th October 1940. 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.

Edward Lacey was born in August 1920 in London and joined 600 (Aux.) Squadron as an Aircrafthand before the outbreak of the War. He later re-mustered as a pilot and finished his training after being called up. He was posted to 219 Squadron on 20th July 1940.

He received his commission to P/O on probation on 30th October 1942 and transferred to Bomber Command. On 20th April 1943 he was awarded the DSO for service with 90 Squadron. He was promoted to F/O on 30th April 1943 and F/Lt on 30th October 1944. Postwar he remained in the RAF and was granted a commission as F/Lt on 30th October 1947, S/Ldr on 1st July 1958 and W/Co on 1st January 1966. He was awarded the OBE on 13th June 1970 and retired from the RAF in August 1975 after a remarkable period of RAF service rising from the very bottom to one of the senior ranks. He died in March 1980 in Gipping, Suffolk.

Blenheim L1109 was buily to contract 527114/36 by the Bristol Aeroplane Co. Ltd. at Filton, Bristol as a bomber version of the Blenheim, it was awaiting collection in February 1938 and was delivered immediately to 62 Squadron at Cranfield who were beginning the process of conversion from the Hawker Hind light bombers to Blenheim's. On an unknown date in 1938 it transferred to 82 Squadron also based at Cranfield. On 25th October 1939 82 Squadron began conversion to Blenheim MkIV's and L1109 was flown into MU storage and later converted to a Mk-If version. On 17th June 1940 it was issued to 25 Squadron at North Weald but was transferred the next day to 219 Squadron at Catterick. Following the incident detailed above Cat.R(b)/FA damaged was recorded but after inspection it was dismantled and transported to Cunnliffe Owen Aircraft Ltd. at Eastleigh for repair. However after further inspection it was Re-Cat.W and struck off charge on 9th October 1940.

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