Magister P2375 near Bolton on Swale.
On 13th March 1940 this 219 Squadron aircraft spun into the ground moments after taking off from Catterick to undertake a formation flying exercise. The pilot is believed to have lost
control after the aircraft stalled, it then crashed into a field opposite Bolton on Swale church at 14.53hrs. Sadly the two crew in the aircraft were killed in the accident.
Pilot - P/O Arthur James Skidmore RAF (40949), aged 25, of Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand. Buried Catterick Cemetery, Yorkshire.
Passenger / Pilot - P/O Arthur Stewart Wardman RAF (41502), aged 19, of Cluniter, Innellan. Argyllshire. Cremated Darlington Crematorium, Co.Durham.
The gravestone of the P/O Arthur Skidmore at Catterick Cemetery. He was married to Ruth Skidmore of Little Gaddesden, Hertfordshire. He was granted a short service commission in the RAF and awarded the rank of Acting P/O on probation on 9th July 1938.
The memorial panel in Darlington Western Cemetery with P/O Wardman's name inscribed. As an Acting P/O on probation he rose to P/O on probation on 3rd September 1939 and then
confirmed as P/O on 6th October 1939. His parents Mr and Mrs Charles Benson Wardman also had a house in North Cresent, Finchley, London at the time of their sons death. Mr C B
Wardman was previously the boss of Vulcan Motor Engineering, of Southport, Lancashire from 1916 to 1928 when financial problems caused him to resign his position. A Mr C B Wardman
joined Mr H G Mitchell in 1944 and formed Kingass Ltd and Air Industrial Development Ltd in Leamington, Warwickshire. Both companies still exist. It is likely that these companies
were ran by the same person.
Magister P2375 was built to contract 778435/38 by Phillips and Powis Ltd at Woodley and was delivered to
19 MU based at St.Athan on 24th March 1939 and placed into storage. It was later issued to 219 Squadron
at Catterick on 6th November 1939 and sustained Cat.R/FA damage in the accident detailed above, after which it was
dismantled by 60 MU Shipton by Beningborough on 19th March 1940 and transported to Shipton for assessment. It was then
Re-Cat.W/FA and struck off charge on 24th March 1940.