Lysander P1692 at Netherthorpe airfield.
On 6th September 1940 this 613 Squadron aircraft was coming in to land on this small former civilian airstrip when it hit an M.T. vehicle on a nearby road.
Sadly the lorry driver was killed as a result of this accident, his name has yet to be confirmed. The pilot suffered injuries and despite being
pulled clear of the burning aircraft by two members of 613 Squadron's ground crew he later died of his injuries on 13th September 1940. For
their heroic actions in rescuing the seriously injured pilot from the burning aircraft LAC Richard John Farley RAF (158305) and AC1 Thomas
William Coop RAF (820067) were both awarded the richly deserved George Medal, Gazetted on 21st January 1941, the joint citation reads..
"In September 1940 an aircraft crashed on an aerodrome and immediately burst into flames. Aircraftman Coop promptly ran to the burning aircraft and
endeavoured to extricate the pilot. In spite of the flames, and regardless of the additional danger from exploding ammunition, Leading Aircraftman
Farley unhesitatingly ran to his assistance and, plunging his arms into the blazing cockpit, released the legs of the pilot, who was apparently stunned
and whose clothes were in flames. Between them the airmen carried him to a safe distance, thereby saving him from certain death. In spite of superficial
burns on arms and legs Leading Aircraftman Farley returned to his normal duties. By their action these two airmen showed great courage and complete
disregard for their personal safety. Unfortunately the pilot later succumbed to his injuries."
Pilot - F/O Grosvenor Louis Edmonds RAF (41565), aged 23, of Shepperton, Middlesex. Buried Retford Road Cemetery, Worksop, Nottinghamshire.
Air Gunner - Sgt Alexander Clark Letham RAFVR (968135). Minor injuries.
In MT vehicle - LAC F Hill RAFVR (973031). Injured.
In MT vehicle - LAC Malcolm Clark RAFVR (907798). Injured.
Army driver? - Name not confirmed, killed. A possible would be Pte Donald Goodall,
F/Sgt Letham recovered from his injuries but was killed with 613 Squadron on 18th September 1941 when Lysander V9434 crashed near Beverley, East Yorkshire. He is buried in Alloa (Sunnyside) Cemetery.
Grosvenor Edmonds received his commission on an unknown date to the rank of Acting P/O on probation (probably 1938 or early in 1939). He was graded
as P/O on probation on 3rd September 1939 and was later confirmed in the rank of P/O on 12th December 1939. He rose to F/O on 3rd September 1940. His brother was also a pilot, F/O John Dudley Edmonds RAF (39971) was killed on 7th June 1940 flying with 43 Squadron in Hurricane L1931. He is buried in France. Their parents were living in Thames Ditton, Surrey in June 1940.
The identity of the Army driver is not yet confirmed, however one possibilty is Pte Donald Goodall, of 9th Bn, Sherwood Foresters, who died on this date and
is buried in Worksop Cemetery, alongside the pilot. His death does not appear in the deaths index under this spelling if so.
Lysander P1692 was built to contract 611814/37 by The Westland Aircraft Co. Ltd, at Yeovil and was awaiting collection in October 1939.
After a lengthy period of MU storage it was taken on charge by 613 Squadron at Odiham in April 1940. On 29th June 1940 it moved with the
unit to Netherthorpe but was destroyed on 6th September 1940 with Cat.W/FA damage recorded.
I thank Mrs June Holland for contacting me, her father being one of the rescuers, Thomas Coop. She kindly provided a copy of his service records
to me which revealed that he was later posted to the Middle East and again suffered burns in an incident there. He was later posted back to the UK because of these injuries.