Anson N5144 near Old Edlington, Doncaster.
On 28th November 1940 the pilot of this 12 EFTS aircraft was on a training flight and attempting a dummy landing on a field near Edlington in bad visibility as part of this flight. As he
attempted to apply power to both engines to climb away from this dummy landing the starboard engine failed due to lack of fuel, the aircraft swung because of the power being applied
only to the port side engine. The pilot attempted to land in the next field but struck a tree after undershooting the field and crashed near Clifton, close to Edlington.
The RAF crash card, the Form AM1180, for this incident gives the pilot's rank as an LAC, though by this date to fly as a pilot the minimum rank was Sergeant. I have left his
rank as LAC for the time being but with this note to say it could be incorrect.
Pilot - LAC Dugald Robertson MacGregor RAFVR (991991).
Dugald MacGregor would later receive his commission on 26th March 1944 to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency). He rose to F/O (war subs) on 26th September 1944 and F/Lt
(war subs) on 26th March 1946. He remained in the RAF postwar and on 26th September 1947 he was graded as F/Lt (subs).
Anson N5144 was built to contract 766119/38 by A.V.Roe Ltd. at Newton Heath and was awaiting collection in April 1939.
It's history thereafter is slightly complicated in the record books. According to records it was taken on charge by 12 FTS
at Grantham, this was the pre-war name for the training unit at Grantham. On 3rd September 1939 12 FTS became 12 SFTS and
during this period this unit is believed to have only operated Oxfords. The first Anson they are known to have received was
in May 1940. N5144 appears to be the units first Anson total loss. Whether it was or was not at Grantham prior to May 1940 is
therefore not confirmed.