Spitfire X4711 near Richmond.
Spitfire X4711 seen with 54 Squadron (photo via Mr Jim Rutland).
On 17th February 1941 the pilot of this 54 Squadron aircraft was flying over the Richmond area in poor visibility when the aircraft struck a tree at 09.00hrs near Low
Gingerfield Farm. The pilot is believed to have been undertaking a weather test flight at the time of the crash when this fatal accident occurred. The tree is
still said to exist and is now on part of Richmond Golf Course.
Pilot - P/O Edward Jack Coleman RAF (42800). Cremated South London Crematorium, Mitcham, London.
Edward Coleman was born in October 1914 in London and was educated in Dulwich College from 1926-1933. Before joining the RAF in 1939 he worked in Aden
for a shipping agent company. He received his commission in the RAF to the rank of Acting P/O on 23rd October 1939 and then graded as P/O on Probation on
10th June 1940. He was posted to 54 Squadron in June 1940.
Spitfire X4711 was built to contract 19713/39 by Vickers Armstrong's (Supermarine) Ltd. at Woolston and was first test flown on 5th November 1940. It
was delivered to 24 MU at Ternhill two days later and was then taken on charge by 54 Squadron at Catterick on 19th November 1940. It sustained Cat.E2/FA
damage as a result of the accident detailed above on 17th February 1941 as stated above and was struck off charge on 28th February 1941.