TRAINING ACCIDENT 9 – 26/02/1942

TRAINING ACCIDENT 9 – 26/02/1942

SGT. W. A. GODFREY (R.A.A.F.) DIED – Air Gunner
SGT. D. J. JENNINGS (R.A.A.F.) Survived – Pilot
SGT. R. G. LONGMUIR (R.A.A.F.) Survived – Pilot
FLT. SGT. G. MELLOR (R.A.F.) Survived – Navigator
T. WILLEY (R.A.F.) Survived

DETAILS OF ACCIDENT
Wellington Bomber Z8785 took off from RAF Lichfield at 14:40 on 26/02/1942, detailed to carry out a training exercise. Twenty minutes after take-off when the port engine failed, the aircraft crash landed near Trent Valley Railway Station, Lichfield. A fire broke out from the starboard motor, the flames spread rapidly, consuming the aircraft. Sergeant Godfrey died later of his injuries, and Sergeants Longmuir and Jennings were injured. All of the other crew members survived.