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Crake, Geoffrey Guy (Leading Aircraftman)

Killed in Flying Accident 1943-September-04

Male Head

Birth Date: 1910 (age 33)

Son of Charles Edward and Elsie Crake, of Coulsdon, Surrey, England.

Service
RAFVR
Unit
32 SFTS- Service Flying Training School (RAF)
Base
Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
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
1605361
32 SFTS, Moose Jaw, Sask.

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. I AT458
  2. Oxford Mk. I AT450

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

Burial
Google Map Rosedale Cemetery, Canada
Lot 8 Block 10 Grave 147

There were no casulaties listed on Oxford Mk. I AT450

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. I AT458

Used by No. 37 Service Flying Training School at Calgary, Alberta. Later with no. 32 Service Flying Training School at Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Category C7 damage at 20:35 on 16 February 1943, at the Moose Jaw aerodrome. Nosed over on landing during night solo circuits, no injuries. Category A crash on 14 September 1943. Collided with Oxford AT450 while both aircraft were performing solo circuits. This aircraft drifted to the left while both aircraft were on final to parallel runways at Moose Jaw, striking the tail of AT450 despite the last minute evasive maneuvering of its pilot. Investigation faulted Flying Control for firing a red flare when they detected the impending collision, instead of the required brown smoke puff. Both aircraft totally destroyed, pilot of AT450 seriously injured. Pilot of this aircraft, LAC C.G. Crake, RAF killed.
1941-09-17 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1942-July-02 Accident: 37 Service Flying Training School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Moore
1943-February-15 Accident: 32 Service Flying Training School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Bogdanchikoff
1943-September-04 Accident: 32 Service Flying Training School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Crake | Perkins
1943-10-30 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20

Oxford Mk. I AT450

Served with No. 36 Service Flying Training School at Penhold, Alberta. Category A crash on 14 September 1943, while with NO. 32 Service Flying Training School at Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Collided with Oxford AT458 while both were landing. Student pilot in this aircraft seriously injured.
1941-11-07 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1943-September-04 Accident: 32 Service Flying Training School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Crake | Perkins
1943-10-30 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20

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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