Date: 21st August 1943.
Unit: No. 5 P.A.F.U. (Pilots Advanced Flying Unit) R.A.F.
Type: Miles Master I.
Serial No. N7943.
Coded: (None applied, aircraft numbered, number unknown.)
Location: Lichfield aerodrome.
Pilot: Sgt. Donald Vivian Fentiman. R.A.F.V.R. Age 21. (Killed)
Pilot: (Pupil) P/O Patrick Eric Falkner. R.A.F.V.R. Age 20. (Killed)
REASON FOR LOSS:
Miles Master I (left) at an Advanced Flying Unit.
Master I N7943 of No. 5 Pilots Advanced Flying Unit crashed during a forced landing at Lichfield aerodrome. Despite being dragged clear of the burning wreck due to the bravery of Aircraftsman Bigg, sadly both Sgt Fentiman and his pupil, P/O Falkner died of their injuries.
Pilot and pupil positions in the Miles Master duel seat trainer.
Burial Details
Sergeant 1393209 (Pilot) Donald Vivian Fentiman, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Age 21. Son of William and Mary Charlotte Fentiman, of Hornchurch. Hornchurch Cemetery, London Borough of Havering, Greater London, England. Sec. A. Grave 1377.
Flying Officer 151131 (Pilot U/T) Patrick Eric Falkner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Age 20. Son of Lt.-Col. Mervyn Winfred Falkner and Lucie M. Falkner, of Bournemouth. Bournemouth (Wimborne Road) Cemetery, Section E.3. Grave 7.S.
(Left) The war grave of Donald Vivian Fentiman (Jenna) (Right) The private grave of Patrick Eric Falkner (Julia&Keld)
Close up of headstone on the grave of Patrick Eric Falkner (Julia&Keld)
Page constructed and researched by David King for the societies “Stowe School Boy Flyers on line Memorial”