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McPherson, Keith Robert (Leading Aircraftman)

Killed in Flying Accident 1944-March-13

Male Head

Birth Date: 1923-October-24 (age 20)

Son of Albert Stanley McPherson and Florence McPherson, of Northcote, Victoria, Australia.

Service
RAAF
Unit
2 BGS- Bombing & Gunnery School
Base
Mossbank, 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
430391
Bolingbroke aircraft 10111 was returning from a gunnery exercise and was flying at 800 feet when it suddenly dove straight into the ground near the aerodrome at Mossbank. P/O V.H. Inderbitzen, Sgt U.M. Reed, LAC J.E. Tierney, LAC D.C. McKenzie (RAAF) and LAC K.R. McPherson (RAAF) were killed. Ex P/O Cohn Pattie (RNZAF), now of Victoria, British Columbia had this to say, "I was alone in the control tower when a Bolingbroke came spinning down out of the overcast and crashed a mile from the aerodrome."

Canada Primary Source School Daily Diary Entry – 1944-03-13

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)

Burial
Google Map Mossbank Cemetery, Canada
Plot 38 Row 5

Crew on Bolingbroke Mk. IVT 10111

Bristol Bolingbroke

(Umeyou Photo)
Fairchild Bolingbroke Mk. IV, RCAF (Serial No. 9118), coded BK-V, No. 115 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron, Patricia Bay, British Columbia, 1942.

The Bristol Fairchild Bolingbroke was a maritime patrol aircraft and trainer used by the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War. Built by Fairchild-Canada, it was a license-built version of the Bristol Blenheim Mk IV bomber.

In 1935, the British Air Ministry issued Specification G.24/35 to procure a coastal reconnaissance/light bomber to replace the Avro Anson. Bristol proposed the Type 149, based on its Blenheim Mk I, with Bristol Aquila engines to give greater range. While the Air Ministry rejected this proposal, a Blenheim Mk I, retaining its Mercury VIII engines, was converted as a Type 149 (Blenheim Mk III) for the general reconnaissance role.The nose was lengthened to provide more room for the bombardier, with the upper left surface of the nose being scooped out to maintain pilot visibility during takeoff and landing.

The longer range also fulfilled a Canadian requirement for a maritime patrol aircraft. Consequently, Fairchild Aircraft Ltd. (Canada) of Quebec started production of the Blenheim Mk IV as the Bolingbroke (the originally intended name for the Blenheim IV). This type was nicknamed the "Bolly". After a small run of aircraft constructed to British specifications, as the Bolingbroke Mk I, Fairchild switched production to the Bolingbroke Mk IV with Canadian and American instruments and equipment. These versions also included anti-icing boots and a dinghy. One of the early Mk IV variants was the Bolingbroke Mk IVW which was powered by two 825 hp (615 kW) Pratt & Whitney SB4G Twin Wasp Junior engines. Incapable of maintaining altitude on one engine, the normal bomb load was reduced to 500 pounds on these aircraft to compensate for the low engine power. The most-produced variant was the Bolingbroke Mk IVT trainer, of which 457 were completed. A total of 626 Bolingbrokes were produced. Wikipedia

Wkikpedia Wikipedia Bolingbroke Bomber

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

YouTube Bolingbroke Bomber WWII

Kestrek Publications Bolingbroke - Kestrel Publications

CASPIR Aircraft Groups:
RCAF On Strength (626), RCAF 400 Squadron (3), Canadian Aircraft Losses (43)
last update: 2021-12-29 16:53:49

Bolingbroke Mk. IVT 10111

Delivered to long term storage with No. 4 TC, issued from storage on 18 Mar 1943. Cat "A" crash on 13 Mar 1944, at No. 2 B&GS at Mossbank, SK. The pilot lost control while flying in overcast, and the a/c spun into the ground. The crew consisting of WO1 V. Inderbitzin, Flight Sergeant H. Reed, and LAC trainees J. Tierney, D. McKenzie (RAAF), and K. McPherson (RAAF) were all killed. Delivered to long term storage with No. 4 Training Command, issued from storage on 18 March 1943. Category A crash on 13 March 1944, at No. 2 Bombing and Gunnery School at Mossbank, Saskatchewan.

Canada Primary Source RCAF - Accident Investigation File



1943-02-27 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1944-February-14 Accident: 2 Bomb & Gunnery School Loc: Mossbank Airport Names: Shelliday | Swanson | Tratham | Williamson
1944-March-13 Accident: 2 Bomb & Gunnery School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Inderbitzen | Mackenzie | Mcpherson | Reed | Tierney
1944-06-22 Struck off Strength Struck off, reduced to spares and produce 2019-08-20

2 BGS- Bombing & Gunnery School (2 Bomb and Gunnery School)

The Bombing and Gunnery School (B&GS) offered instruction in the techniques of bomb aiming and aerial machine gunnery to Air Observers, Bomb Aimers, and Wireless Air Gunners. These schools required large areas to accommodate their bombing and gunnery ranges, and were often located near water. The Avro Anson, Fairey Battle, Bristol Bolingbroke, and Westland Lysander were the standard aircraft used at B&GS schools.
Mossbank NO2 BGS Magazine

  • RCAF Roundel RCAF.info - RCAF Station Mossbank Saskatchewan

  • Museum Vintage Wings - Ghosts Of Saskatchewan

  • Saskatchewan Virtual War Memorial

  • Museum Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum - 150 Project

  • General The JN Dog Boys - 2 Bombing & Gunnery School History

  • General RCAF Mossbank Blog

    • 1940-10-28 Primary Location Mossbank SK Canada Abandoned returned to agriculture. Still visible on satellite imagery.

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