Spitfire X4423 near Hackforth, Catterick.
On 8th November 1940 the pilot of this 54 Squadron aircraft was undertaking a training flight when, at 09.05hrs, the aircraft crashed close to Hackforth village and caught fire. A farmer, Mr
James Ingledew, of Street Farm, Hackforth, had witnessed the crash and attempted to rescue the pilot from the burning aircraft but was beaten back by the flames. Sadly the pilot
died in the incident.
Pilot - Sgt Norman Richards Miller RAFVR (748303), aged 21, of Burton Latimer. Buried Burton Latimer Churchyard, Northamptonshire.
Norman Miller, photograph found on "www.the-saleroom.com".
James Ingledews' medals and pieces of the Spitfire recovered by him were sold at auction by Tennants Auctioneers in 2014. His sister Second Officer Florence Mary Ingledew
WRNS was awarded the MBE for her work in the Safety Equipment Branch of the Fleet Air Arm. Items of the (photograph found on "www.the-saleroom.com").
James Ingledew was awarded the British Empire Medal for his actions in trying to rescue the pilot, notification was printed in the London Gazette on 4th April 1941 and
in the same notification a Goole Fireman Edwin Freer Richardson was also awarded the BEM, their citations were the same and read..
"For gallant conduct when attempting to rescue the occupants of aircraft which crashed and caught fire. These men faced the danger
of exploding bombs and ammunition with complete disregard of their personal safety."
Spitfire X4423 was built to contract 19713/39 by Vickers Armstrong's (Supermarine) Ltd, at Woolston and was first test flown on 12th September 1940. It was delivered to 8 MU
at Little Rissington on 13th September 1940 and taken on charge by 54 Squadron at Catterick four days later. Cat.W/FA Burnt damage was recorded following the accident at
Hackforth on 8th November 1940. The aircraft was struck off charge on 17th November 1940 when the paperwork went through.