Flight of Lysander N1251 and F/O N.S.Merrett and F/O J.F. Harper on 1940-08-10
On 1940-08-10, Pilot, navigator or other duty? unknown name (unknown rank, RAF) with an unknown servicenumber, flew a Lysander with serial N1251 for this duty: unknown operation. His mission was not completed. Circumstances of the aircraft loss: Collided with P9186. This aircraft was a part of squadron no. 614. The location for the map is the English Channel. Circumstances at the end of this mission for this unknown person: he died, but circumstances of death are unknown. There is no commemoration location known.
By Tim Grahame:
This is taken from 614 Sqn's F540. 614 Sqn is now newly reformed and I am the Squadron's Historian.
“Airbase: RAF GRANGEMOUTH Date: 10/08/1940 Time: 1520
An Accident occurred at NETHER DYSART Farm near MONTROSE which resulted in the deaths of F/O N.S.Merrett and F/O J.F. Harper, the total destructions of Lysander P9186 and serious damage to Lysander N1251. F/O Merrett and P/O Le Cheminant were carrying out evasive tactics in Lysander P9186 and N1251 respectively when the two aircraft came into collision at about 2000ft. F/O Merrett’s aircraft lost practically the whole of its starboard mainplane, spun to the ground and both he and his passenger, F/O J.F.Harper, who was a medical officer at MONTROSE were killed instantly. P/O Le Cheminant’s aircraft was badly damaged but he managed to land safely on MONTROSE aerodrome and neither he nor his passenger, Sgt Ellwood P.J., was hurt.”
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