Magister P2385 at Piercebridge.
On 6th August 1940 this 219 Squadron aircraft clipped high tension cables near Piercebridge, Darlington while the crew were undertaking a searchlight
co-operation flight. The crew of two were slightly injured when the aircraft crashed into River Tees. This incident must have occurred on the
Yorkshire / Durham border.
Pilot - F/O Jean Charles Carriere RAFVR (41825), of Quebec, Canada. Injured.
Air Gunner - Sgt Charles Beveridge RAF (522807). Injured.
Jean Carriere was born in Quebec in January 1915 he was granted a Commission on 1st April 1939 (with seniority back dated to 23rd January 1939). He was posted to 219
Squadron when it reformed at Catterick in October 1939. He was graded as P/O on probation on 23rd October 1939 and was confirmed in the rank of P/O on 23rd January 1940.
He rose to F/O on 23rd October 1940 and to F/Lt on 23rd January 1942. He was posted to 140 Squadron on 1st August 1941 and awarded the DFC for service with this squadron,
Gazetted on 6th November 1942. He relinquished his commission in the RAFVR when he transferred to the RCAF on 17th January 1944 and survived the War.
Charles Beveridge was born in June 1915, he had initially joined the RAF in 1935 but later remustered as aircrew and trained as an air gunner.
He was posted to 219 Squadron five days prior to this incident at Piercebridge. He was awarded the AFM on 1st January 1943 and received his Commission
on 22nd August 1943 but by this stage he was a flight engineer. He stayed with the RAF Post-War until 1952 and died in December 1984.
Magister L2385 was built to contract 778435/38 by Phillips & Powys Ltd at Woodley and on 4th April 1939 it was delivered to 19 MU at St.Athan for storage. On 6th November 1939 it
was issued to 219 Squadron at Catterick. It sustained Cat.W/FA damage in the incident detailed above and was struck off charge on 15th August 1940.