DH Dominie NR795 - Stn Flt, Skeabrae - Millfield Camp. 1/6/45.
This DH-89 Dominie NR795 was flying back up to Skeabrae from Scotland with 3 passengers who were due to take up residence in Orkney, it was seen to fly over the golf course, harbour and Stromness town and at very low height of around 40-60ft it flew over the army camp at Millfield,it was during this manoeuvre that something went tragically wrong and the aircraft struck the roof of a Nissen hut, hit a parked lorry and then crashed to the ground killing the 3 passengers instantly and critically injuring the pilot who was to later die in hospital.
Pilot: F/O T.G.R.Rowe. RAFVR.
Pass: Sgt W.Dennis. RAFVR.
Pass: Sgt W.F.Colborne. RAFVR.
Pass: Cpl N.C.Brimmicombe. RAFVR.
Pilot: F/O T.G.R.Rowe. RAFVR.
Pass: Sgt W.Dennis. RAFVR.
Pass: Sgt W.F.Colborne. RAFVR.
Pass: Cpl N.C.Brimmicombe. RAFVR.
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Above: Two photos taken at the time show the wing of the Dominie on the left and the battered army lorry on the right. Photos: Orkney Library Photo Archives
Above: Grave of F/O Thomas G.R.Rowe in St.Olaf`s Cemetery,Kirkwall. Photo: Dave Earl, Grave of Cpl Norman C. Brimmicombe in Wolborough (St.Mary) Churchyard,the old parish churchyard of Newton Abbot, Devon. Photo: Rob Pearson. Grave of Sgt. W. Dennis Benton, North Tyneside Photo: mazzie74 (Find a Grave). Grave of Sgt. William Frederick Colborne. Highgate, London Borough of Camden, Photo: Ms Helen. (Find a Grave).
Newspaper Stories
Gloucestershire Echo - Tuesday 05 June 1945
Four Roval Air Force men lost their lives at Stromness, Orkney Islands, the weekend when daylight aircraft crashed into Nissen hut at Millfield Camp and somersaulted into field.
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Western Morning News - Tuesday 05 June 1945
Plane Crash In Orkneys Two soldiers, sleeping at opposite ends a Nissen hut at Millfield, Stromness, Orkney, escaped injury when an aircraft struck the hut and crashed in daylight into adjoining fields, stated a message last night. The pilot. Fig. Off. T. G. R. Roe. died 45 minutes later. His three Service passengers, who were proceeding to duty in the -Orkneys, were killed outright They were Sergt. W. Dennis.. Sergt W. F. Colborne, and Corpl. N. C. Brimmicombe.
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Four Roval Air Force men lost their lives at Stromness, Orkney Islands, the weekend when daylight aircraft crashed into Nissen hut at Millfield Camp and somersaulted into field.
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Western Morning News - Tuesday 05 June 1945
Plane Crash In Orkneys Two soldiers, sleeping at opposite ends a Nissen hut at Millfield, Stromness, Orkney, escaped injury when an aircraft struck the hut and crashed in daylight into adjoining fields, stated a message last night. The pilot. Fig. Off. T. G. R. Roe. died 45 minutes later. His three Service passengers, who were proceeding to duty in the -Orkneys, were killed outright They were Sergt. W. Dennis.. Sergt W. F. Colborne, and Corpl. N. C. Brimmicombe.
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Cornishman - Thursday 12 July 1945
IN FREEDOM'S GREAT CAUSE OUR SERVICE PAGE KILLED ON SERVICE Flying Officer T. G. R. Rowe, who was killed-on service in June. He is the only son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Rowe, of Orient View, Carneroad, Tolcarne, Newlyn. A former pupil of Penzance County School. Flg.-Officer Rowe showed early promise of ability in mathematics. After obtaining his Oxford certicate he entered the Civil Service. On the outbreak of war he volunteered for combatant duties and was posted to the Gloucestershire Regiment (AA. Section), during which service he was wounded. Despite this, he became an airman and won his wings as a fighter pilot. He had served with Fighter Command on the Arctic route and in the defence of Britain. His funeral took place in the Orkneys, where his sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. H. Andrewartha attended the R.A.F. funeral. (photo) |
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All rights reserved. Due to the immense amount of research that enabled us to build this site we would like to point out that all material on this website is owned by A.R.G.O.S though photos are credited to their respective owners. Anyone wishing to use material for their own website or any other purpose are requested to contact us first expressing their wishes. Permission will usually be granted to none profit making ventures, i.e. websites for educational and/or historical purposes, though a link to this website and acknowledgement to the original owners of any photographs will usually be requested.