460 SQUADRON ACCIDENT – 19/10/1942
R. W. WOOD (R.A.A.F.) 460 SQUADRON. DIED.
D.M. MURPHY (R.A.A.F.) BASED AT R.A.F. LICHFIELD. DIED.
L. FORRESTER (R.A.A.F.) 460 SQUADRON. DIED.
F. O. HORNER (R.A.A.F.) DIED.
DETAILS OF ACCIDENT.
On Monday 19th of October 1942, a Manchester aircraft (R5780) of 1656 Training
Conversion Flight (R.A.F.) It was known as 460 Squadron and was stationed at that
time at R.A.F. Breighton in Yorkshire. They were on a short air firing practice flight.
The aircraft hit the top of a Poplar tree in front of the Bull’s Head public house on
the A38 and crashed into a nearby field, narrowly missing a row of houses on the
road junction with Fradley Lane. The crew were killed instantly. Their aircraft was
apparently flying low over the pub which they all frequented. This sort of
manoeuvre was common and regarded as showing off. It was frowned upon by
the authorities as it was very dangerous, as in this case. All four airman are all
buried in the Churchyard at St. Stephens in Fradley. However, this very sad story
doesn’t end here. There were another two men in the bomber who should have
not been there. They were ground crew, who the others had invited to join them
on this flight. Their names were S. Dobell and D. W. Hodges.
The four airmen had all completed their basic training at Lichfield and had now
moved on to learn how to fly different types of heavy bombers. If they had lived,
they would have gone on to squadrons for active service.