Blenheim L1267 near Cawood.
On the night of 27th / 28th February 1941 the crew of this 54 Operational Training Unit aircraft were undertaking a training flight when it crashed near Cawood
in similar circumstances to those of Blenheim L1168 which came to grief on the same night near York. L1267 is also listed as crashing after the pilot was dazzled by searchlights.
Pilot - P/O George Rowley Merriman Buley RAFVR (60064), aged 24, of Eastry, Kent. Buried Kirkby Wharfe Cemetery, Yorkshire.
Passenger - Cpl Henry Rushton Proudlove RAF (623219), aged 21, of Sidcup, Kent. Buried Kirkby Wharfe Cemetery, Yorkshire.
The two airmen's gravestones at Kirkby Wharfe Cemetery, Yorkshire. George Buley received his commission to the rank of P/O on 30th December 1940, he was
born in the Eastry area of Kent though the CWGC register does not list his parent's home at his death.
Blenheim L1267 was built to contract 517114/36 by The Bristol Aeroplane Co. Ltd. and was awaiting collection in June 1938. After a period
of MU storage the aircraft was taken on charge by 44 Squadron at Waddington later the same year. 44 Squadron converted to Hampden's in February
1939 and the aircraft passed into the hands of 114 Squadron at Wyton that month. It was later placed into MU storage in May 1939 when 114 Squadron
completed it's conversion to Blenheim MkIV's. During this period it was converted to MkIf configuration. On 15th September 1939 it was taken on charge
by 12 Group Pool at Aston Down for the purpose of training twin engine fighter pilots. On 6th March 1940 12 Group Pool was re-designated as 5 OTU and
based at Aston Down, on 1st November 1940 5 OTU was re-designated as 55 OTU, also at Aston Down but to fly Hurricanes so all their Blenheim's were to be
transferred to 54 OTU. On 25th November 1940 it was taken on charge by 54 OTU at Church Fenton when the unit formed. It sustained Cat.E2/FA damage as a
result of the accident near Cawood on 28th February 1941 as stated above.