Example of the NFXVII: This Mosquito NF Mark XVII, DZ659 ZQ-H, of the Fighter Interception Unit, on the ground at Wittering, Huntingdonshire. Modified from a Mark II, the aircraft has been fitted with SCR.720/729 (AI Mark X) aircraft interception radar in a universal radome.
(I.W.M. ATP 13206B)

REASON FOR LOSS:

Broke up in air nr Steppingley Beds. No.51 OTU - GCI Exercise. Fault in aircraft leading to break up. The aircraft Took-off from its Base R.A.F. Cranfield at 1050 hrs on a Ground Control Interception Exercise and crashed at 1232 hrs at Woodside Field, Flitwick near Amptill, Bedfordshire. The pilot Sgt. Bonnewit had apparently made no attempt to leave the aircraft and was killed on impact. The Navigator Sgt. Muncaster was also killed on impact. His body was found a very short distance from the main wreckage and it appeared that he had made no deliberate attempt to leave the aircraft but had been thrown out when it struck the ground.

(Left) Pilot: Sgt Jacques L. Bonnewit in cockpit during training (Image: Courtesy of Gareth Mackey) (Right) Jacques L. Bonnewit’s grave in Belgium (Image: Courtesy of Eddy Vannerom on 02 Nov 2020)

(Left) Navigator/Radar/Op: Sgt John William George Muncaster (Image: Courtesy of Gareth Mackey) (Right) John William George Muncaster’s grave (Image: Courtesy of Martin Tolley on 02 May 2018)

Burial details:

SGT Jacques L. Bonnewit

Birth 22 Dec 1919 Amsterdam, Amsterdam Municipality, Noord-Holland, Netherlands

Death 24 Feb 1945 (aged 25) Bedfordshire, England

Burial Brussels Communal Cemetery Evere, Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium

Plot Row 4, Belgian Airmen's Field of Honour

Brussels Communal Cemetery Evere Belgian Airmen's Field of Honour. Memorial to Belgian Airmen. This Field of Honour, located within the cemetery, was created to inter Belgian airmen who died in World War II. (Eddy Vannerom on 02 Nov 2020)

Sergeant JOHN WILLIAM GEORGE MUNCASTER

Service Number: 1524130

Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Died 24 February 1945

Age 20 years old

Buried at Maryport Cemetery, Allerdale Borough, Cumbria, England

Sec. O. Grave 180.

Son of Duncan and Sarah Muncaster, of Maryport.

Personal Inscription WORTHY OF EVERLASTING REMEMBRANCE

Maryport Cemetery, Allerdale Borough, Cumbria, England (Craig Simpson 2015)

Page compiled by: David King. Acknowledgments: With thanks to the following: A.R.S. archives. Nigel Parker, Craig Simpson, Eddy Vannerom , Gareth Mackey, Martin Tolley, David King, I.W.M., C.W.G.C.