At 05.25hrs on 19th April 1941 this 114 Squadron aircraft was in the process of taking off from Thornaby when it failed to gain height after leaving the ground and flew into trees on the edge of the airfield. This caused to swing to starboard and to crash in an ajoining field. Unfortunately before the crew could get clear the bomb load exploded and killed all three airmen in the aircraft. It was thought that the aircraft had not reached flying speed when the pilot attempted to lift the aircraft off the ground.
Blenheim R3806 was built to contract 1485/39 by Rootes Securities at Blythe Bridge and was delivered to MU for acceptance in May 1940. It was issued to 114 Squadron
then based at Horsham St.Faith in June 1940 before being transferred to 57 Squadron at Elgin in August 1940 and then passed into the hands of 107 Squadron at
Wattisham at an unknown date before returning to 114 Squadron at Thornaby in March 1941. Cat.E2/FA (burnt) damage was recorded after the accident at Thornaby in April 1941.
Pilot - Sgt Bruce Beardsley RAFVR (939008), aged 20, of London. Cremated West Norwood Crematorium, Lambeth, London.
Observer - Sgt Leonard Fass RAFVR (754442), aged 22, of London. Buried Linthorpe Cemetery, Middlesbrough.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Lionel John Symes RAFVR (975686), aged 23, wife of Plymstock, Devon. Buried Thornaby on Tees Cemetery, Middlesbrough.
Sgt Symes gravestone in Thornaby Cemetery. He was born in Malaya in June 1917 but was married to Hetty Symes of Plymstock and is commemorated on Morchard Bishop War Memorial,
Devon
Lenoard Fass' gravestone in the Jewish section of Linthorpe Cemetery, Middlesborugh, I speculate that he was buried here because
this was the nearest Jewish burial ground to Thornaby. CWGC does not list any family information for him.
Bruce Bearsley was the son of Major A S Beardsley, Royal Artillery.