On 18th August 1943 the crew of this aircraft were taking off to undertake a training flight when an engine failed, the pilot lost control and crashed off the end of the Brandesburton end of the runway at Catfoss airfield. The aircraft was badly damaged but the crew survived suffering minor injuries.
Pilot - P/O John Norman Punshon RCAF (J/14844). Of Toronto, Ontario. Canada. Injured.
Navigator - Sgt Meyrick. Injured.
John Punshon was born on 3rd May 1917 and was the son of Ralph and Eva Punshon, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. His postings after his time with 2 (C)OTU at Catfoss in August 1943 are not yet known but by February 1945 he was serving with No.4 Armament Practice Camp. On 20th February 1945 he was the pilot of Martinet MS690 when it collided with a Liberator and crashed near Ripperston, Pembrokeshire. He and LAC William Richard Tambling RAFVR (1311989) were killed. F/Lt Punshon is buried at Haverfordwest Cemetery, Pembrokeshire and was twenty seven years old. I don not know the identity or fate of the Liberator it struck.
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