Bristol Blenheim MK1V L9261 - Sandness Hill, Shetland 3/9/41
Having taken off from 235 Sq base at Sumburgh at 22.00 hrs for a night reconnaissance flight off Faeroe Islands, at 02.45 a radio message was picked up from the pilot saying that some of the instruments had failed and they were unsure of their position, a short while later at approx 03.05 hrs the Blenheim crashed into a small hill and burst into flames killing all 3 crew members, it is assumed that the crew had dropped below cloud trying to locate their position.
A visit to the crash site in May 2007 revealed some small pieces of wreckage, in the main alloy and some exploded rounds of .303 ammo. All the 3 crew were buried with full military honours in Lerwick Cemetery, Shetland. F/Lt Hammond was a New Zealander from Wellington, serving with the RAF. Crew: Photo: Dave Earl.
Pilot. F/Lt Howard M. Hammond. RAF. NZ.
Obs. P/O William J. Mason. RAFVR
W/AG Sgt George R. Simpson. RAFVR
Pilot. F/Lt Howard M. Hammond. RAF. NZ.
Obs. P/O William J. Mason. RAFVR
W/AG Sgt George R. Simpson. RAFVR
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Bexhill-on-Sea Observer - Saturday 13 September 1941
Airman’s Death SGT. G. R. SIMPSON KILLED IN ACTION Sergeant George Richard Simpson, a wireless operator and gunner in the ‘R.A.F.. has been reported killed in action on September 3rd. Sergeant Simpson, who was 19, was the son of Mr. G. H. Simpson, steward of Cooden Beach Golf Club, and Mrs. Simpson, who before coming to Cooden in January. were at Seaford Golf Club. He was educated at Seaford Senior Council School, and won a scholarship to the Lewes County School, where he achieved a distinction in athletics. Always a keen sportsman, he was in the rugby, football and cricket teams and a member of the Gymnasium VIII. He went straight from school into the R.A.F. As a boy he belonged to the Seaford Boy Scouts and the Boys Club, and was a member of the Parish Church. He had served in the RAF for nearly two years and was due for promotion. The funeral took place in Scotland and was conducted by an R.A.F. chaplain. Full service honours were accorded, the coffin being carried by men of deceased’s own squadron, which also provided the firing party The coffin was covered with the Union Jack. and all the three forces were represented. The Last Post was sounded at the end. Wreaths were sent from the squadron, his sergeant friends, and the station. (Photo) |
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Above: Sparse remains of the Blenheim in 2007. Photos: Dave Earl.
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The headstones of the 3 airmen in Lerwick Cemetery. Photos: Dave Earl.
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