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Channon, Alfred Charles (Leading Aircraftman)

Killed in Flying Accident 1943-July-08

Male Head

Birth Date: 1922-June-18 (age 21)

William Charles & Emily Channon, of Durrington, Wiltshire, England.

Service
RAFVR
Unit
32 SFTS- Service Flying Training School (RAF)
Base
RCAF Base Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Rank
Leading Aircraftman
Marshal
Air Chief MarshalA/C/M
Air MarshalA/M
Air Vice MarshalA/V/M
Air CommodoreA/C
Group CaptainG/C
Wing CommanderW/C
Squadron LeaderS/L
Flight LieutenantF/L
Flying OfficerF/O
Pilot OfficerP/O
Warrant Officer 1st ClassWO1
Warrant Officer 2nd ClassWO2
Flight SergeantFS
SergeantSGT
CorporalCPL
Senior AircraftmanSAC
Leading AircraftmanLAC
Aircraftman 1st ClassAC1
Aircraftman 2nd ClassAC2
Position
Service Numbers
1339156

32 SFTS Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.

Took off from Moose Jaw in Oxford AS-229 on an advanced training flight with newly qualified pilot LAC Channon at the controls and instructor P/O Urwin in the second seat. They were to practice flying in formation with another Oxford (AS-625). At 1200 feet the two aircraft came together and crashed to the ground killing both crews.

Killed in AS-229: LAC Alfred Charles Channon RAF pilot KIFA Rosedale Cemetery Moose Jaw Sask. Lot 8. Block 10. Grave 197. P/O George Moffat Urwin RAF Instructor KIFA Rosedale Cemetery Lot 8. Block 10. Grave 196.

the identity of the other aircraft and crew are reported separately.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Find-A-Grave.com Find-A-Grave.com

Canada Primary Source Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)

This incident involved multiple aircraft:

  1. Oxford Mk. II AS229
  2. Oxford Mk. I AS625

All the aircraft in the above list are in this report.

Burial
Google Map Rosedale Cemetery, Canada
Lot 8 Block 10 Grave 197

Crew on Oxford Mk. II AS229

Crew on Oxford Mk. I AS625

Airspeed Oxford

(Bob Brown Photo)(Source Harold A Skaarup Web Page)
Airspeed A.S. 10 Oxford Mk. II, RCAF (Serial No. AS277), 25, in flight over Saskatchewan, 1942.

The Airspeed AS.10 Oxford was a twin-engine monoplane aircraft developed and manufactured by Airspeed. It saw widespread use for training British Commonwealth aircrews in navigation, radio-operating, bombing and gunnery roles throughout the Second World War.

The Oxford was developed by Airspeed during the 1930s in response to a requirement for a capable trainer aircraft that conformed with Specification T.23/36, which had been issued by the British Air Ministry. Its basic design is derived from the company's earlier AS.6 Envoy, a commercial passenger aircraft. Performing its maiden flight on 19 June 1937, it was quickly put into production as part of a rapid expansion of the Royal Air Force (RAF) in anticipation of a large-scale conflict.

As a consequence of the outbreak of war, many thousands of Oxfords were ordered by Britain and its allies, including Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand, Poland, and the United States. Following the end of the conflict, the Oxford continued to achieve export sales for some time, equipping the newly formed air forces of Egypt, India, Israel, and Yugoslavia. It was considered to be a capable trainer aircraft throughout the conflict, as well as being used a general-purpose type. A large number of Oxfords have been preserved on static display. Wikipedia

YouTube Oxford Trainer

Wkikpedia Wikipedia Oxford Trainer

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

CASPIR Aircraft Groups:
RCAF On Strength (821), Canadian Aircraft Losses (168)
last update: 2021-09-27 15:31:03

Oxford Mk. II AS229

Taken on strength at No. 1 Port Detachment at Halifax, NS. To No. 4 Training Command on 17 September 1941, for use by No. 36 Service Flying Training School at Penhold, Alberta. Winter conversion kit installed at 36 SFTS by 2 July 1942. To Aircraft Repair in Edmonton, Alberta for repairs following a Category B crash, 28 July to 2 November 1942. Back to No. 4 Training Command when completed. Category A crash on 8 July 1943.
1941-07-19 Taken on Strength Eastern Air Command 2019-08-20
1942-July-18 Accident: 36 Service Flying Training School Loc: Lacombe Names: Burrell | Harwood | Smith
1943-January-12 Accident: 32 Service Flying Training School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Hazelwood | Stanton
1943-July-08 Accident: 32 Service Flying Training School Loc: R1 Names: Blatny | Channon | Maly | Urwin
1943-08-27 Struck off Strength Struck off, reduced to spares and produce 2019-08-20

Oxford Mk. I AS625

Taken on strength at No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School at Fort William, Ontario. To No. 4 Training Command on 13 November 1941, for use by No. 37 Service Flying Training School at Calgary, Alberta. Category B damage at Calgary airport at 10:05 on 1 February 1942. To Aircraft Repair for crash repairs on 7 April 1942, noted with 127:25 logged time. Back to No. 4 Training Command on 24 June 1942. To Aircraft Repair for crash repairs again, 30 October 1942 to 8 January 1943. to storage with No. 4 Training Command when completed, issued from storage on 25 March 1943. Category A crash on 8 July 1943 1 mile north of relief field at Buttress, Saskatchewan. Collided with Oxford AS229 while both aircraft were attempting to land. A total of 4 fatalities in the two aircraft, including LAC S. Haly, a Czech student in the RAF. Application to write off from No. 4 Training Command dated 17 August 1943.
1941-11-18 Taken on Strength No. 2 Training Command 2019-08-20
1942-February-01 Accident: 37 Service Flying Training School Loc: Calgary Airport Names: Lennox
1943-July-08 Accident: 32 Service Flying Training School Loc: R1 Names: Blatny | Channon | Maly | Urwin
1943-08-27 Struck off Strength Struck off, reduced to spares and produce 2020-09-22

32 SFTS- Service Flying Training School (RAF) (32 Service Flying Training School)

Graduates of the EFTS "learn-to-fly" program went on a Service Flying Training School (SFTS) for 16 weeks. For the first 8 weeks the trainee was part of an intermediate training squadron; for the next 6 weeks an advanced training squadron and for the final 2 weeks training was conducted at a Bombing & Gunnery School. The Service schools were military establishments run by the RCAF or the RAF.

There were two different types of Service Flying Training Schools. Trainees in the fighter pilot stream went to an SFTS like No. 14 Aylmer, where they trained in the North American Harvard or North American Yale. Trainees in the bomber, coastal or transport pilot stream went to an SFTS like No. 5 Brantford where they learned multi-engine technique in an Airspeed Oxford, Avro Anson or Cessna Crane.

SFTS31 NO32 SFTS Publication

For more Information on RCAF Station Moose Jaw see here

  • RCAF Roundel RCAF.Info - RCAF Station Moose Jaw SK

  • RCAF Roundel RCAF.Info - Relief Landing Field Buttress SK

  • RCAF Roundel RCAF.Info - Relief Landing Field Burdick SK

  • RCAF Roundel RCAF.Info - Relief Landing Field Caron SK

    • 1940-12-09 Primary Location Moose Jaw SK Canada Current site CFB Moose Jaw CYMJ
    1940-12-09 Relief Field Caron SK Canada Abandoned currently site of the hamlet Caronport east of Caron SK
    1940-12-09 Relief Field Burdock SK Canada Current site of Moose Jaw Municipal Airport CJS4
    1940-12-09 Relief Field Buttress SK Canada Abandoned returned to agriculture. Still visible on satellite imagery.

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