Operatation: X country & low level bombing practice

Date: 4th July 1942

Unit: No. 13 OTU (Operational Training Unit) R.A.F. Bicester, Oxfordshire

Type: Bristol Blenheim IV

Serial: R3912

Base: Bicester, Oxfordshire.

Take off: 09.50 hours.

Location: Pawlett Hams, Somerset.

Pilot: Sergeant James Anderson 591536 Killed

Son of James & Jean Falconer Anderson, of Dunphail.

Observer: Sergeant Adam Hogg 1552074 Killed

Son of Adam & Margaret Hogg, of Hawick.

Radio/Op: Sergeant Gilbert McBoyle 1178919 Killed

Son of George Ingram McBoyle and Hilda Kate McBoyle, of Fratton, Portsmouth.

REASON FOR LOSS:

This aircraft took off from Bicester at 0950 hours on a training cross-country flight. Shortly before 1220, eyewitnesses saw the Blenheim in a

near vertical dive, entering a large area of whitish cloud which was estimated to have its base at 3,000 to 5,000 feet. On emerging from cloud,

the Blenheim appeared to straighten out but then dived again and crashed resulting in the tragic loss of the three airmen at Pawlett Hams on the

E bank of the River Parrett, 4 miles north of Bridgwater, Somerset.

Burial Details:

James Falconer Anderson
Sergeant (Pilot) Royal Air Force
Edinkillie Parish Churchyard Plot A.8. Grave 71.5

Adam Hogg
Sergeant (Obs.) Royal Air Force
Hawick (Wellogate) Cemetery Burghal Portion. Grave 34.

Gilbert Ingram McBoyle
Sergeant (W.Op./Air Gnr.) Royal Air Force
Bridgwater (Quantock Road) Cemetery Sec. C. Grave 179.

Page construction, Crash site photo and researched photos by David King Aircrew Remembrance Society.