Blenheim L1207 near Great Habton, Malton.
On 23rd March 1941 this 68 Squadron Blenheim took off from Catterick with three airmen on board to undertake a training flight at night. When flying in the Ryedale area the aircraft was seen to do two complete turns in an increasingly steep spiral, the aircraft then crashed at 22.50hrs just north of Great Habton, to the north west of Malton. All three
men were killed. What was puzzling was that the pilot's body was found a mile away from the crash site in a field near Newsham Bridge and that he had departed the aircraft before the impact. The siding roof was found to be open when the crash investigation made their report and the pilot was in a habit of flying with his harness unfastened, it was therefore not fully
determined as to why he had left the aircraft. It was possible that he had abandoned the aircraft before impact but more likely he was thrown from the aircraft inadvertantly, the aircraft then went out of control with one of the other airmen possibly attempting to take control after the pilot had departed the aircraft.
The build of the pilot was put at a reason for him not fastening himself in; being only of slight build, he could not reach certain instruments when the harness
was fastened, apparently this was why he flew without his harness fastened. As to why the roof was open, this will never be known.
Blenheim L1207 was built to contract 527114/36 by Bristol at Filton as a Mk.I bomber aircraft and issued directly to 139 Squadron at Wyton in May 1938. On an unknown
date it was recalled to Bristol's for conversion to Mk.If status, but before the Battle of Britain. It was then issued to 25 Squadron at North Weald on 13th June 1940 and it
moved with unit to Martlesham Heath on 19th June 1940. It returned to North Weald with unit on 1st September 1940. It again moved with unit to Debden on 8th October
1940 and then with unit to Wittering on 27th November 1940. This aircraft was a real Battle of Britain veteran. It was transferred to 68 Squadron at Catterick on 4th March 1941 only to be written off days later in the incident detailed above on 23rd March 1941.
Pilot - Sgt David Kirkland RAFVR (745364), aged 22, of Ayr. Buried Ayr Cemetery, Scotland.
Air Gunner - Sgt Joseph Forster RAFVR (1259563), aged 31, of ? Buried Chislehurst and Sidcup Cemetery, Sidcup, Kent.
Trainee Air Gunner - Sgt David Arthur Taylor RAFVR (747821), aged 22, of Luton. Buried Luton General Cemetery, Bedfordshire.
David Kirkland had gained his Wings in September 1940, and trained at 6 EFTS, 54 OTU and 55 OTU, he had amassed at total of 227 hours flying time at his death, only 28 hours of these were on the Blenheim and 13 of these being at night.
Sgt Forster's grave in Sidcup Cemetery, photograph found on the internet posted by "julia&keld".
Having gained permission from the landowner Mr Easterby; Ken Reast, Albert Prichard, Eric Barton and I located small fragments on the surface at the crash site in December 2006 to confirm the location. The aircraft
appears to have crashed either on or through the hedge shown above. Small fragments are still to be found at the site; the land is now used as a race-horse
gallop so the search was correctly limited to a small strip of land. Prior to a ditch being filled in, wreckage used exist in this ditch. We thank Mr Easterby
for allowing us to visit and for the information he was able to give in pinpointing the site. Please note that site is on private land and access
normally is not allowed and we are most grateful for his patience.
