Mission: Training

Date: 11th September 1943

Unit: No. 2 R.S. (Radio School)

Type: Percival Proctor III

Serial No: R7531

Base: R.A.F. Yatesbury Wiltshire

Location: Pippingford Park, 2 miles North of Nutley, Sussex, England.

Pilot: Sergeant Richard Morriss (1395754) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - Killed.

Radio Operator: Aircraftman 2nd Class William Howden O'Dell (657189) Age. 23. Royal Air Force – Killed.

Main image - A Percival Proctor III aircraft in service with a radio School (I.W.M.)

REASON FOR LOSS:

Percival Proctor III R7531 took-off from R.A.F.  Yatesbury Wiltshire on a radio DF transmission flight, it was last seen flying at low level near Nutley, Sussex. Unconfirmed reports state that the aircraft hit a house before diving into the ground at Pippingford Park, 2 miles North of Nutley, Sussex, England killing both crewmembers.

Burial Details :

Sergeant Richard Morriss (1395754)

Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Died 10 September 1943

Buried at Nutley (St. James The Less) Churchyard. Grave 1136.
United Kingdom

Aircraftman 2nd Class William Howden O'DELL (657189) of the Royal Air Force

Died 10 September 1943 Age : 23 years.

Plot. 25. Row C. Grave 19. Brookwood Military Cemetery, United Kingdom

Son of William Henry and Freda Marie O’Dell, of King’s Norton, Birmingham.

Acknowledgments: Compiled & researched by David King and Alexander King. With special thanks to Caroline Tayler (nee Morriss) Niece of Richard Morriss, for the supply of the only known photograph of Richard reproduced here in his memory.