The crew was killed in a mid-air collision with Anson N5358.
Killed Flying Officer G D Calderhead RCAF J/86333 LAC Ernest L.J. Beaumont (Fitter) R/921596 AC1 Joseph F. Agar (Fitter) R/985992.
Calderhead, George Douglas (Flying Officer)
Killed in Flying Accident 1942-January-12
Birth Date: unkown date
Born:
Son of George and Mary Calderhead, of Glasgow, Scotland.
Home:
Enlistment:
Enlistment Date: Unknown
Service
RAFVR
Unit
31 GRS- General Reconnaissance School (RAF)
Base
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Rank
Flying Officer
Position
Flying Officer
Service Numbers
86333
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)This incident involved multiple aircraft:
- Anson Mk. I Serial: N5358
- Anson Mk. I Serial: 6279
All the above aircraft in the above list are referenced in this report.
Crew or Other Personnel
Anson 6279
Anson serial: 6279
Avro Anson Mk. V
Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
The Museum's Anson Mk. V was built by MacDonald Brothers in Winnipeg in 1944. It flew with No. 7 Photographic Wing and No. 414 Squadron in Ottawa on photo survey work until the late 1940s. In 1956, it was purchased by INCO and used for mineral surveying until 1980, when it was donated to the Museum. The exterior is painted in the yellow colour common to all BCATP trainers and is in its same wartime RCAF markings.
Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
The Museum's Anson Mk. V was built by MacDonald Brothers in Winnipeg in 1944. It flew with No. 7 Photographic Wing and No. 414 Squadron in Ottawa on photo survey work until the late 1940s. In 1956, it was purchased by INCO and used for mineral surveying until 1980, when it was donated to the Museum. The exterior is painted in the yellow colour common to all BCATP trainers and is in its same wartime RCAF markings.
The Avro Anson was known by a number of nicknames including "Faithful Annie" or "Flying Greenhouse". It was the first aircraft to be flown by the Royal Canadian Air Force to have a retractable undercarriage, which was a comparative novelty in 1936. In 1940, a Canadian government owned company, Federal Aircraft Limited, was created in Montreal to manufacture the Anson for Canadian use. Nearly 3,000 Anson aircraft were produced and, in the early days of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP), the Anson was the standard trainer for many pilots, observers (navigators), wireless operators and bomb aimers. More than 20,000 aircrew received training on the Anson. In Canadian service, the aircraft was substantially re-designed with the substitution of North American engines and many other airframe and equipment changes. Harold Skaarup web pages
Harold A Skaarup Web Page
Avro Anson HistoryAircraft Images
Anson N5358
Anson Mk. I N5358
To No. 3 Training Command on 14 May 1941, for use by No. 31 General Reconnaissance School at Charlottetown, PEI. To Eastern Air Command with this School on 5 November 1941. Category A crash on 12 January 1942, 3 miles east of Charlottetown, while with this School. Mid-air with Anson 6279, while both aircraft were involved in "unauthorized maneuvers". All crew on both aircraft killed. To No. 4 Repair Depot at Scoudouc, NB for write off on 14 January 1942. Airframe and engines were complete write offs, with no salvaged parts.1941-03-19 Taken on Strength Canada Car & Foundry 2019-08-20
1942-January-12 Accident: 31 General Reconnaissance School Loc: Charlottetown Names: Agar | Beaumont | Calderhead | Compton | Ellis | Rofe | Taylor
1942-02-24 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Anson 6279
Anson Mk. I 6279
Ex RAF W1722. To No. 3 Training Command on 21 January 1941, noted as on loan to RAF school pending arrival of RAF Ansons. Back to Eastern Air Command on 5 November 1941, for use by No. 31 General Reconnaissance School at Charlottetown, PEI. Category C damage at Charlottetown at 09:50 on 4 April 1941. Category A crash on 12 January 1942, 3 miles east of Charlottetown, while with this School. Mid-air with Anson N5358, while both aircraft were involved in "unauthorized manoeuvres". All crew on both aircraft killed. To No. 4 Repair Depot at Scoudouc, NB on 14 January 1942, for scrapping. Had 436:35 logged time when struck off.1940-12-14 Taken on Strength Eastern Air Command 2019-08-20
1941-April-04 Accident: 31 General Reconnaissance School Loc: Charlottetown Airport Names: Harrison | Jobling | Long | Teggart
1942-January-12 Accident: 31 General Reconnaissance School Loc: Charlottetown Names: Agar | Beaumont | Calderhead | Compton | Ellis | Rofe | Taylor
1942-02-24 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Unit Desciption
31 GRS (31 General Reconnaisance School)
The General Reconnaissance School trained pilots and air observers in the techniques required for ocean patrol. It was the equivalent to an Operational Training Unit (OTU), and last stop before aircrew were assigned to operations. The topics included DR Navigation, Astro Navigation, Compasses and Instruments, Meteorology, Signals, Reconnaissance, Coding, Ship Recognition, Aerial Photography, and Visual Signals.
NO31 GRS Charlottetown
RCAF.info - RCAF Station Charlottetown PEI