Lysander R9077 at Thornaby airfield.

During the morning of 21st September 1940 this 4 Squadron aircraft had undertaken a recce patrol off the Yorkshire Coast, taking off from Linton on Ouse at 06.25hrs they landed safely at Thornaby at 07.50hrs because of fog over their home base. A couple of hours later the aircraft was taking off from Thornaby airfield at 10.00hrs when it climbed at too steep an angle, a stall occurred and the aircraft crashed back down onto the airfield. The two airmen on board sadly were killed. It was thought that the aircraft's tail settings for landing had been left in place when it took off, this caused the aircraft to behave as it did and climb very steeply with little take-off run.

Pilot - P/O Alex Robert Temple Cox RAF (33509), aged 20, of Finchley, Middlesex. Buried Woodman Road Cemetery, Brentwood, Essex.

Observer / Air Gunner - Sgt Victor William Sims RAFVR (903535), aged 19, of Ilford. Buried Barkingside Cemetery, Ilford, Essex.

The former ex-Flight Cadet Alex Cox was granted a permanent commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 23rd December 1939. He was the eldest of seven siblings.
Lysander R9077 was built to contract 23637/39 by The Westland Aircraft Co. Ltd. at Yeovil and was awaiting collection on 7th August 1940. Shortly after completion it was taken on charge by 4 Squadron at Linton on Ouse but the date it arrived is not known. Cat.W/FA damage was recorded following the accident on 21st September 1940.

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