Mission: Training.
Date: 6th November 1942.
Unit: No 13 O.T.U. R.A.F.
Type: Blenheim IV.
Serial: R3874.
Code: FV-
Base: R.A.F. Bicester, Oxfordshire, England.
Location: 2 to 3 miles North West of R.A.F. Bicester, Oxfordshire, England.
Pilot: Sgt Alfred Stephen Edgar Blackshire 1386598 R.A.F.V.R. Age 21 (Killed)
Nav: P/O D Newell (Injured)
W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt W Donald (Injured)
Air/Gnr: Sgt C L Harrison (Injured)
Date: 6th November 1942.
Unit: No 13 O.T.U. R.A.F.
Type: Blenheim IV.
Serial: R3874.
Code: FV-
Base: R.A.F. Bicester, Oxfordshire, England.
Location: 2 to 3 miles North West of R.A.F. Bicester, Oxfordshire, England.
Pilot: Sgt Alfred Stephen Edgar Blackshire 1386598 R.A.F.V.R. Age 21 (Killed)
Nav: P/O D Newell (Injured)
W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt W Donald (Injured)
Air/Gnr: Sgt C L Harrison (Injured)
REASON FOR LOSS:
13 O.T.U. Blenheim IV in flight
Took-off From Bicester at 1515hrs but having gained a mere one hundred feet, the starboard motor cut. Immediately, the Blenheim banked to starboard and dived into trees at Stoke Little Wood, twixt 2 and 3 miles North West of the airfield. All the crew were rushed to the Radcliff Infirmary, where sadly Sgt Blackshire died that same evening
The only know photo of Blenheim R3874 was taken while serving with 110 Squadron, it shows the nose turret for defense against a low rear attack, sighted by mirrors and fired by the Navigator/Bomb-Aimer (IWM CH366)
Burial Details:
Sgt Alfred Stephen Edgar Blackshire1386598 R.A.F.V.R. Age 21. Bicester Town Cemetery, Oxfordshire, England. Plot Sec. B. Cons. Grave 143. Son of William and Rose Blackshire, of South Ealing, Middlesex.
Page construction and research by David King and Alexander King. Additional credits: W R Chorley Bomber Command Losses, C.W.G.C., (I.W.M.).