Beaufighter T5035 at Catfoss airfield.
On 19th February 1943 the pilot of this 2 (C)O.T.U. aircraft was in the process of landing at Catfoss airfield following a training flight but landed heavily in the undershoot area, dropped onto the starboard wheel and cartwheeled. The starboard engine was torn from the aircraft. The pilot survived but the aircraft was badly damaged.
Pilot - WO1 Frederick John Morrow RCAF (R/59815).
Beaufighter T5035 was built to contract B.41906/39 by Fairey Aviation Ltd. at Heaton Chapel, Stockport and was awaiting collection in February 1942. It was initially taken on charge by 235 Squadron but the date it arrived with them is not known. They were at Dyce until 25th March 1942 when they moved to Sumburgh. 235 Squadron ceased operating the type in May 1942 so the aircraft was placed in M.U. storage until being taken on charge by 2 (c)OTU at Catfoss later in 1942. As a result of the crash on 19th February 1943 Cat.E2/FA damage was the damage assessment and it was written off.
Frederick Morrow was born on 1st January 1916 but little is known about his life. He was reported as missing on 12th April 1943 while training with 304 FTU when Beaufighter JL589 disappeared. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. his nav / radar operator he was flying with when he died was Sgt Leslie Albert Pestell RAFVR (1309495) who may have been training with his at the time of the mishap at Catfoss a couple of months earlier.