Spitfire P9325 at Catterick airfield.

At 12.00hrs on 4th September 1941 this 122 Squadron aircraft overshot on landing at Catterick airfield and ran into a ditch on the airfield boundary which slightly damaged it.

Pilot - P/O Thomas Newland Rosser RAFVR (65588).

Thomas Rosser was probably born in Newport in 1920. He volunteered for pilot training early in 1940, and received his commission on 4th May 1941. He flew with Spitfire and Hurricane squadrons in England and then later was posted out to India where he flew with 542 Squadron. He rose to F/O (War Subs) on 4th May 1942 and to F/Lt (War Subs) on 4th May 1943. He later joined No.3 PRU (later redesignated 681 Squadron) in Calcutta for photographic reconnaissance operations in Japanes-occupied Burma, Thailand, and the Andaman Islands. After his operational tour ended in July 1944 he was awarded the DFC (Gazetted in September 1944) and then commanded 74 OTU in Palestine until VE Day when the OTU was disbanded. He later formed and led a temporary squadron of Spitfire fighter/bombers based in Egypt for internal security duties in the Middle East. He was demobilised in late 1946 after administrative appointments in Air HQ Egypt, and at Cranwell. On 22nd January 1947 he resigned his F/Lt commission but retained the rank of S/Ldr. On 12th June 1958 he was awarded the OBE for his role as administrative officer in the Western Region, Nigeria. He lived at Marlow, Buckinghamshire late in life and died in 2020.
Spitfire P9325 was built to contract 980385/39 by Vickers Armstrong's (Supermarine) Ltd. at Eastleigh or Woolston and was first test flown on 3rd February 1940. Ten days later it was flown to 6 MU at Brize Norton and on 16th March 1940 it was taken on charge by 222 Squadron at Duxford. It then moved with this unit a number of times in the coming months, firstly to Digby on 10th May 1940, then on 28th May 1940 to Hornchurch (Battle of France), then on 4th June 1940 to Kirton in Lindsey. On 25th July 1940 it was force landed near Kirton in Lindsey with then wheels down, out of fuel after combat with an Heinkel HeIII of Mablethorpe and the aircraft suffered minor damage (Cat.M/FB), the aircraft was refueled on site and flown out upon completion of repairs. On 29th August 1940 it moved with the unit (222 Squadron) to Hornchurch (Battle of Britain), on 30th August 1940 it was force landed at Eastchurch airfield after suffering severe damage in combat over Canterbury and following this damage it was originally assessed as Cat.W/FB, it was dismantled and transported by road to Heston Aircraft Ltd., at Heston for further assessment on 14th September 1940 where it was Re-Cat.R/FB and repaired in works. On 18th March 1941 on completion of repair it was flown to 37 MU at Burtonwood. for storage, on 24th July 1941 it was collected from Burtonwood by Sgt.L.J.Drayton of 4 FPP based at Prestwick who ferried the aircraft to Ouston where it was to be taken on charge by 122 Squadron but the aircraft overshot landing at Ouston and tipped on it's nose. Cat.A(c)/FA was recorded and the aircraft was quickly repaired on site and was then taken on charge by 122 Squadron the next day. On 31st August 1941 the aircraft moved with the unit to Catterick where on 4th September 1941 it sustained Cat.A/FA as stated after the incident recorded at the top of this page. It was again repaired on site and returned to 122 Squadron on 18th October 1941 who had moved down the road to Scorton. On 12th December 1941 it was transferred to 61 OTU at Heston and coded "TO-D". On 12th February 1942 the undercarriage collapsed on landing at Heston and Cat.A(c)/FA damage was recorded, it was again repaired on site between 19th and 28th February 1942 and was then returned to the unit. On 26th February 1943 it was flown to Scottish Aviation Ltd. at Prestwick for inspection, this was complete by 20th March 1943 when it is listed as being awaiting collection. On 31st March 1943 it was flown to 45 MU at Kinloss for storage, on 4th July 1943 it transferred to RNDA at 45 MU at Kinloss in preparation to be transferred to the Royal Navy and in August 1943 it was taken on charge by 759 Squadron FAA at Yeovilton and remained with them until January 1944. In February 1944 it was taken on charge by 761 Squadron at Henstridge. On an unspecified date it was returned to storage at 45 MU at Kinloss where it remained until being struck off charge as Cat.E on 15th October 1944 but no details are known if this was down to a flying accident.

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