Anson N4893 near Conisborough.
On 22nd December 1940 this 2 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit aircraft suffered engine failure while the crew were undertaking a training flight, the pilot attempted a forced landing near Denaby Main, near Conisborough but the aircraft was badly damaged as a result. The pilot escaped with his life but sustained serious injuries and was admitted to Fullerton Hospital nearby, the others appear to have escaped serious inury. The photograph above shows the crash scene.
Pilot - P/O Kenneth John Austin Reed RAFVR (88707). Injured.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Charles Frederick W Tillman RAFVR (908639).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Alban Astor Levy RAFVR (975272).
Kenneth Reed received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 7th December 1940 (with seniority of 23rd November 1940), He rose to F/O (war subs) on 7th
December 1941 (with seniority of 23rd November 1941) and almost certainly in the rank of Acting F/Lt he was posted as missing on 15th October 1942 flying 252 Squadron
Beaufighter X8075 when it crashed into the sea 60 miles north-west of Alexandria, Eygpt. He name is inscribed on the Alamein Memorial. His name is also inscribed on
the Great Ballard School Roll of Honour, Eartham, Sussex. He was almost certainly born in the St.Albans area of Hertfordshire in 1918 and
had married in the Rother Valley district of Yorkshire in 1941, probably while stationed in Yorkshire.
Alban Levy later received a commission (123488) on 14th May 1942 rising to F/O on 14th November 1942 and F/Lt on 14th May 1944. He survived the War.
Warrant Officer Tillman was to loose his life in South Africa on 10th June 1944 and is buried in George Cemetery, Western Cape, South Africa. He was twenty three years old.
Anson N4893 was built to contract 766119/38 by A.V. Roe Ltd. at Newton Heath and was awaiting collection during the last week of October 1938. After a period of MU storage
it is first shown on charge with 1 CACU at Gosport but this unit only operated Swordfish at this time so this may not be correct. The unit moved to Detling on 18th May 1940 and
began operating Anson's from that date the Anson was probably on their books. In October 1940 the unit began to re-equip with Blenheim MkIV's so
the aircraft was transferred to 2 (C)OTU which formed at Catfoss on 1st October 1940. It sustained Cat.W/FA damage as a result of the accident detailed above and was written off.