Montreal, Quebec
21 Advanced Flying Unit.
Donnelly was the 'safety pilot' on a flight with multi-engine pilot trainee Sergeant Munro who was flying the aircraft on across country exercise. Weather was drizzle with low cloud. Their third turn put them about 800 yards further west than the intended route.
After travelling 2.5 miles along that track and while flying at around 550ft the aircraft struck the top of a tree at Henbury which was reported to have been 60ft tall before then striking a second tree a short distance further on and then hit the ground (hard). Donelly was killed in the crash and Munro was seriously injured. He died two hours later.
Donnelly, William Paul (Sergeant)
Killed in Flying Accident 1943-September-29
Birth Date: 1922
Born:
Parents: Daniel & Gertrude Elizabeth Donnelly, of Westmount, Quebec.
Spouse:
Home: Montreal, Quebec
Enlistment:
Enlistment Date: unkown date
Service
RCAF
Unit
21 AFU- Advanced Flying Unit (RAF)
Base
RAF Millom
Rank
Sergeant
Position
Pilot instructor
Service Numbers
R/164697
Canadian Virtual War MemorialCrew or Other Personnel
Oxford LW959
Oxford serial: LW959
(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.
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
Oxford Trainer
Wikipedia Oxford Trainer
Harold A Skaarup Web Page