On the 19th of April 1941 this aircraft swung badly on take off. Take off was abandoned but the aircraft was not brought to a halt in time and struck trees on the airfields boundary. Before the crew could get clear, the bomb load exploded killing all three. Cat E2/FA (burnt) damage was sustained to the aircraft.

The aircraft was built to contract 1485/39 by Rootes Securities at Blythe Bridge and delivered to MU for acceptance in May 1940. It was issued to 114 Sqdn then based at Horsham St.Faith in June 1940 before being transferred to 57 Sqdn at Elgin in August 1940 and onto 107 Sqdn at Wattisham at an unspecified date before returning to 114 Sqdn at Thornaby in March 1941.

Pilot - Sgt Bruce Beardsley RAFVR, aged 20, of ? Cremated West Norwood Crematorium, Lambeth, London. Son of Major A S Beardsley, Royal Artillery.

Obs - Sgt Leonard Fass RAFVR, aged 22, of ? Buried Linthorpe Cemetery, Middlesbrough.

WOp/AG - Sgt Lionel J Symes RAFVR, aged 23, buried Thornaby on Tees Cemetery, Yorkshire.

Sgt Symes gravestone.