Wellington's RP499 and RP565 at Topcliffe Airfield.
In the morning of the 17th of Match 1948 a number of Wellington aircraft were undertaking training flights. At 09.47hrs one Wellington (RP565)
had just taken off and was climbing away to join the circuit. Another Wellington (RP499) was descending to join the circuit and was probably
making a banked turn. The two aircraft collided over the airfield. Sadly all eight airmen were killed in the resulting crashes - four on each aircraft. Their names
however have not been traced to who was on what aircraft. One aircraft crashed onto the Sgt's Mess, the other crashed
in a field alongs side the Busby Stoop road.
Neither aircraft's pilot was thought to have seen the other aircraft. Here after it was recommended that the seat
next to the pilot should be occupied so that there could be a lookout on the blind side.
Pilot (of RP499) - F/Lt Franciszek Kula MM RAF P2204, aged 34, originally from W.Bukowiec, Poland. Buried Newark Cemetery, Notts.
Pilot (of RP565) - Pilot II Colin Bass RAF 1603236, aged 25, of High Wycombe, Bucks. Buried West Wycombe, Bucks.
The other six airmen were....
Signaller II Walter E L Howell RAF 1023588, aged 27, of Bargoed, Glamorgan. Buried Bedwellty Churchyard, Argoed, Monmouth.
Signaller II Arthur E Highman RAF 1333571, aged 25, of Peckham, London. Buried Norwood Cemetery, West Norwood.
F/Lt William J Jones RAF 153310, aged 25, of Lambeth, London. Buried Topcliffe Cemetery, Yorkshire.
F/Lt Robert Sneddon Laird RAF 149193, aged 31, of Falkirk, Stirlingshire. Buried Bo'ness Cemetery, West Lothian.
F/Lt Harry Corelius New RAF 165262, aged 26, of Smethwick, Staffs. Buried Uplands Cemetery, Smethwick, Staffs.
F/Lt John Edge Kerslake RAF 182652, aged 24, of Rainworth, Notts. Buried Topcliffe Cemetery.
F/Lt Kerslake's gravestones at Topcliffe Cemetery.
I would also like to thank Ms Julie Savory for contacting me regarding F/Lt Kula.
Photo coming soon.
Some time ago I was contacted by a relation of Arthur Highman. I would like to thank her for emailing me. At the time information I had on this incident was only very vague.
F/Lt Kula's life is still being researched as is his Military Medal which suggests he was in the Army.
He is commemmerated on a memorial plaque in Tivetshall St. Mary, Norfolk. It is thought that it was his aircraft which crashed onto the Mess.
