Hurricane L1715 at Church Fenton airfield.
On 9th October 1940 this 85 Squadron suffered the undercarriage collapse on landing at Church Fenton airfield.
Pilot - Sgt Thomas Colquhoun Edmonds Berkeley RAFVR (754377).
Thomas Berkeley is regarded as one of "The Few" having served operationally during the Battle of Britain. He was killed on 14th June 1941 flying 85 Squadron Havoc AX848 which crashed in the Thames Estuary. He was twenty three years old and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Hurricane L1715 was built to contract 527112/36 by Hawker Aircraft Ltd. at either the Kingston or Brooklands factory. It was initially taken on charge by 79 Squadron on 24th November 1938 who were based at Biggin Hill at that time. It then moved with the unit to Manston on 12th November 1939. On 9th January 1940 it was assessed as requiring a repair in works by a No.43 Group D.A. assessment and three days later was sent to Morris Motors Ltd. at Cowley for repair. On 1st June 1940 it was flown to 10 MU at Hullavington and on 12th June 1940 it was taken on charge by 249 Squadron at Leconfield. On 15th July 1940 Cat.R/FA damage resulted when it crashed on landing at Acklington. On 19th July 1940 the damage was inspected by 43 Group D.A. then on 24th July 1940 it was taken to Rolls Royce Ltd. at Hucknall for a repair in works. Once servicable it was flown to 10 MU at Hullavington on 10th August 1940 and then taken on charge by 56 Squadron at North Weald on 17th August 1940. Three days later it went to 48 MU at Hawarden. On 2nd September 1940 it was taken on charge by 85 Squadron at Croydon, who then went to Castle Camps on 3rd September 1940 and Church Fenton on 5th September 1940. As a result of the crash there on 9th October 1940 Cat.M/FA damage was the damage assessment and it was repaired on site. Once repaired it was transferred to 71 Squadron on 6th November 1940 who were at Church Fenton. 71 Squadron then moved to Kirton in Lindsey on 23rd November 1940. On 3rd January 1941 it was transferred to 2 Squadron at Digby. On 24th February 1941 Cat.R/FA damage resulted when it taxied into a tractor at Digby. The damage was inspected by 43 Group D.A. and this resulted in a repair on site being made. On 16th July 1941 the aircraft was transferred to 59 OTU at Crosby on Eden. During a flight on 20th November 1941 the pilot became lost and crashed during a forced landing at Wamphraygate near Moffat. Cat.R/FA damage was the damage assessment and on 5th December 1941 it was taken to Air Training Ltd, at Kidlington for a repair in works. On 8th February 1942 it was flown to 51 MU at Lichfield and on 2nd April 1943 it was taken on charge by 1623 Flight at Roborough. On 9th September 1943 it crashed on landing at Roborough and Cat.B/FA damage was the initial damage assessment but this appears to have been downgraded to Re.Cat.Ac and it was repaired on site. On 26th January 1944 it was returned to use at Roborough though the unit had been re-designated 691 Squadron on 1st December 1943. On 17th April 1944 the pilot was unable to close the throttle control during a flight, the aircraft eventually ran out of fuel and the pilot attempted to land at Harrowbeer but crashed. Cat.B/FA damage was the damage assessment and on 18th May 1944 it was taken to D.H.Ltd, at Hatfield for a repair in works but the damage was reassessed and upgraded to Re.Cat.E. It was struck off charge on the same day.