Blenheim R3695 at Driffield airfield.
On 8th January 1941 this aircraft landed in heavy rain at Driffield airfield and struck a member of ground-crew sheltering in a "rain hut" and sadly he died.
Pilot - F/Sgt Ernest Folley RAF (561710).
Ground Crew - AC2 Harold Kellett RAFVR (1308379), aged 20, of Derby. Buried Nottingham Road Cemetery, Derby.
Harold Kellett's grave in one of the two large Nottingham Road Cemeteries in Derby.
Ernest Folley was later awarded the AFC and had served with 230 Squadron. He died in January 2012 in New Zealand.
Blenheim R3695 was built to contract 1485/39 by Rootes Securities Ltd. at Speke and was awaiting collection in April 1940, it had a long service history. After
acceptance it was taken on charge by No.2 School of Army Cooperation (SAC) at Andover in May 1940. Soon after this and on 21st May 1940 it was transferred as a
replacement aircraft to 59 Squadron at Andover and coded "TR-A". On 26th May 1940 it was operating out of Andover on a reconnaissance mission of the Amiens, Hesdin,
St.Pol areas when it came under Anti Aircraft fire in the Abbeville area and sustained damage to the elevator controls. The pilot, P/O Reynolds, initially lost
control of the aircraft and ordered the crew to abandon but then was able to bring the aircraft back under control but it was too late for Sgt. Kirk, who had baled
out and was taken prisoner. The air gunner, AC. Pryde stayed with the aircraft and the pilot was able to return for a belly landing at Andover at 07.30hrs with
both crew members being unhurt. Cat.R/FB damage was recorded but it was left until June 1940 until it was dismantled and transported for repair to Airwork Ltd.
at Gatwick. On completion of the repair and after acceptance it was taken on charge by 1(C)OTU at Silloth in August 1940. On 9th August 1940 all Blenheims
operating within 1(c)OTU were detached to Prestwick. On 1st November 1940 all 1(c)OTU Blenheims transferred to 2(c)OTU at Catfoss and the aircraft was flown to
Yorkshire. On 8th January 1941 Cat.A/FA damage was recorded following the accident at Driffield as stated above, it was repaired on site and returned to the unit.
In June 1941 it was taken on charge by 235 Squadron at Dyce, on 10th December 1941 it transferred to 254 Squadron also at Dyce and on 11th February 1942 it moved
with the unit to Carew Cheriton but moved back to Dyce on 1st June 1942. In July 1942 it transferred to 143 Squadron at Docking but on 27th August 1942 it moved
with the unit to North Coates. The following month it was placed into long term MU storage. On 6th January 1944 it transferred to Royal Navy Deposit Account (RNDA)
but remained in RAF MU storage. In April 1944 it was taken on charge by 771 Squadron F.A.A. based at Twatt and nothing more of the aircraft after that date.