Blenheim N3596 near Barmston.
On 27th November 1941 the pilot of this No.2 (C)O.T.U. aircraft took off from Catfoss airfield at 14.00hrs so the pilot could undertake a training flight that involved shutting down one engine to practice single engine flying and also to practice making steep turns while flying on one engine. While carrying out the exercise the aircraft went into a spin at reasonably low level, there was not enough height to regain control and the aircraft struck the ground at 14.46hrs near Barmston. Sadly the pilot was killed.
Unfortunately the pilot's casualty file AIR81-10542 contains the wrong accident report AM765c, normally this would allow much more information to be learnt. In this case a 99 Squadron mishap at Wattisham's report has been typed up onto the reverse side of the form for Blenheim N3596 at Barmston.
Pilot - Sgt Clement Percival McLellan RCAF (R/62841), aged 24, of Caplan River, Quebec, Canada. Buried Brandesburton Churchyard, Yorkshire.
Clement Percival was born on 18th December 1916 and was the son of Malcolm and Elizabeth Ann (nee Willett) McLellan, of Caplan River, Bonaventure County, Quebec, Canada. As a young man he worked on the family farm at Caplan. He enlisted for RCAF service at Matane on 7th September 1940 and began wireless operator training but then switched to pilot training. He was awarded his pilot's flying badge on 3rd July 1941. He arrived in the UK in mid-August 1941 and was posted to 2 (C)OTU on 30th August 1941.
Blenheim N3596 was built to contract 588371/36 by A.V.Roe & Co. Ltd, at Chadderton and was awaiting collection in May 1940. It was taken on charge by 1 (C)OTU at Silloth on an unknown date probably not long after. On 9th August 1940 1 (C)OTU detached all their Blenheims to Prestwick and if it was with this unit then it went on this detachment. On 1st November 1940 all of 1 (C)O.T.U. Blenheims were transferred to 2 (C)O.T.U. at Catfoss. The aircraft sustained minor damage on 27th December 1940 in an unknown incident at Driffield and Cat.M/FA damage was recorded on the paperwork. It was repaired on site and returned to the unit. As a result of this second more serious accident at Barmston on 27th November 1941 Cat.E2/FA damage was recorded.