Blenheim L1524 at Catterick (or Acklington) airfield.
On either 27th or 28th August 1940 this aircraft undershot the runway whilst landing in a heavy rain storm at 01.45hrs.
Both airmen are believed to have escaped uninjured. 219 Squadron were based at Catterick but for a short period around this date they operated from Acklington. Their records mention the incident but the scribe crossed out various entries relating to their time at Acklington around this date.
Pilot - Sgt Henry Frank Grubb RAF (740405).
Air Gunner - Sgt Sydney Austin RAF (903071).
Henry Grubb was born in Dalston, London in March 1915 and was educated at Owens School, Islington. He trained as a Chartered Surveyor but joined the RAFVR in 1937 as a trainee
pilot. He was called up to RAF service in September 1939 and later joined 219 Squadron in November 1939 on its re-formation as a newly qualified pilot. Having served with 219 Squadron
throughout the Battle of Britain he was posted to Cranfield in August 1941 to act as an instructor with 51 OTU. He received his commission in May 1942 (123640). He later joined 29
Squadron and then was posted to 287 Squadron. In 1944 he was posted to the Middle East with 5 Ferry Unit but returned to the UK after the War. His twin brother Ernest George Grubb
(123639) also served with the RAF, both brothers had pretty much identical periods of service and postings. Henry Grubb died in 1980 in the Enfield area of Middlesex.
Sydney Austin joined the RAFVR in 1939 and was posted to 219 Squadron on 8th August 1940. He flew with Sgt H F Grubb on a number of occasions and became his regular air gunner.
Following the incident detailed above the squadron was soon posted down south. On 16th October 1940 they overshot on landing at Redhill while flying together. He was awarded the
DFM on 30th May 1941 for his assistance in destroying three enemy aircraft at night and was later Commissioned in July 1941. On 30th October 1941 he was flying with 85 Squadron when
the aircraft he was in failed to return, his body was never found and he is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. Sadly his brother John died on active service with 78 Squadron on
24th August 1943 and he too is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Blenheim L1524 was built to contract 527114/36 by the Bristol Aeroplane Co. Ltd. at Filton and was
awaiting collection in November 1939. It was taken on charge by 242 Squadron at Church Fenton the
following month after the squadron reformed. 242 Squadron converted to Hurricane MkI's in January 1940
and the aircraft was transferred to 64 Squadron which was also based at Church Fenton. On 18th April 1940
64 Squadron moved to Catterick to commence conversion to Spitfire MkI's taking with them their Blenheim MkIf's
which were immediately transferred to 219 Squadron who were already based at Catterick. It sustained Cat.W/FA
damage in the accident in August 1940 detailed above and was written off.