Heading image - artist impression of Hampden in flight.
Operation: Training.
One of Bomber Commands worst flying accidents during 1939 occurred on Thursday 23rd November during the day when Squadron Leader P M Watt (Pilot), a Cranwell graduate from January 1925 entry to the collage, took-off from R.A.F. Scampton in Handley Page Hampden Mk.I Serial No.L4034 of No.49 Squadron, and flew over to Waddington in order to practice landings using ‘ZZ’ system.
The weather conditions were poor and eyewitnesses reported seeing the Hampden suddenly appear out of the gloom, flying at about 10 feet off the ground and heading straight for the Watch Office. It then made a tight climbing turn and smashed through the roof of a hangar, an engine breaking away and crushing several airmen working below.
Squadron Leader P M Watt was killed along with seven others killed on the ground, along with two others who were also injured on the ground.
S/L P McG Watt (Killed) Buried at Nettleham (All Saints) Churchyard
Cpl T A Keating (Killed) Buried at Scampton (St. John The Baptist) Churchyard
LAC W G Kelly (Killed) Buried at Scampton (St. John The Baptist) Churchyard
AC1 S Taylor (Killed) Buried at Scampton (St. John The Baptist) Churchyard
AC1 L McGarvie (Killed) Buried at Prestwich (St. Mary) Churchyard
AC2 F L Tolbert (Killed) Buried at Blackburn Cemetery
Cpl A McD Henderson (50 Sqdn) (Killed) Buried at Waddington (St. Michael) Churchyard
LAC G T Landing (Killed) Buried at Manchester Southern Cemetery
Cpl A Cooke (Injured)
AC2 M Bastow (Injured)
Page research and constructed by David King 2024
